Coaching My Enemy: The Ice Legend's Obsession

The breaking news alert on my phone screen felt like an actual physical slap to the face.

The glowing letters turned into a single blur when my eyes moved across the headline. Julian Vance, the man who reigned as the untouchable King of the Ice, had just lost all his titles because of a major corruption scandal.

I dropped my phone onto the wooden bench of the empty arena. My chest was heaving with heavy, jagged breaths. I pushed off the rubber mat and glided onto the freezing rink. The blade of my skate created a strong violent mark on the ice when I slammed to a halt. The sharp ice shavings flew through the cold air and hit my flushed skin.

My real identity was Kaelen Frost. I was the rookie. The new golden boy became a senior basketball player after winning his first game.

For three long agonizing years I had chased Julian Vance’s massive shadow. To reach his legendary scores I sacrificed absolutely everything. I endured a series of life-threatening injuries including broken bones and continuous hunger. He was the ultimate legend. He was the perfect arrogant god of figure skating who never even looked in my direction. We had never spoken a single word to each other. We only shared icy glares across crowded arenas.

I should have been celebrating his massive downfall. My biggest rival was permanently gone. The Olympic gold medal was practically hanging around my neck already.

A fierce hot rage consumed my entire body from deep inside.

How dare he? How dare he destroy his own legacy before I had the chance to defeat him on the ice in a fair match?

The empty arena became filled with the sudden sound of a voice which produced a sharp loud bark.

I turned around quickly. My chest was heaving and my lungs were burning from the frigid air.

Victor Thorne, the Head of the Skating Federation, was marching toward the edge of the rink. His expensive tailored suit looked completely out of place against the white fiberglass boards. A sickeningly smug smile was plastered on his face.

But I barely looked at Victor.

I focused all my vision on the tall man who advanced slowly behind him.

The breath completely left my lungs.

It was Julian.

He did not resemble a fallen monarch. He did not look ruined at all. His broad muscular shoulders were completely hidden under the long black wool coat he wore. His dark hair became messy because it fell into his eyes which were as cold and sharp as shattered glass. His flawless jaw remained shut tight because he wanted to hide his anger.

He stopped at the edge of the boards and crossed his arms over his chest. He stared right at me.

The massive arena suddenly became filled with a heavy suffocating tension which made it hard to breathe.

I skated over to them slowly keeping my chin lifted high in the air. I absolutely refused to let him see how fast my heart was beating.

I demanded to know what that person was doing here Victor. I tried to maintain my voice at a steady level. The press is swarming outside. You brought a disgraced cheat into my private training facility?

Julian didn't flinch. His dark piercing eyes slowly dragged down my body. He looked at my tight training gear and my flushed chest and the sweat that was dripping down my neck.

The look was so intense and so incredibly invasive that a hot shiver ran straight down my spine.

Victor snapped at me to watch my mouth while he stepped closer to the glass. Your old coach has been reassigned. Things have changed.

I became totally frozen. What? You can't do that. The Olympic qualifiers are in six months.

Victor smiled his nasty corporate smile. The optimal choice for your needs was brought to you today. He gestured to the silent dark figure standing right beside him. The Federation has made a unique deal to prevent Julian from going to prison. This agreement allows him to stay free.

My stomach dropped straight into my skates.

I said no while shaking my head. I said no way to what I heard.

Victor announced that Julian Vance will become your head coach today. Victor announced that Julian Vance will take over as your head coach today.

The only sound that occurred during our terrible silence came from the freezer vents which maintained ice throughout the entire time. The freezer vents which maintained ice throughout the entire time created the only sound that occurred during our terrible silence.

Julian finally came out of his arm position. He refused to see Victor. He only looked at me.

He pushed the heavy rink door open and stepped onto the rubber matting. He walked onto the ice while keeping his dark eyes on me. He walked onto the ice in his expensive leather shoes. He walked toward me with the terrifying flawless grace of a predator cornering its prey.

I hated him. My blood felt like burning fire because I hated him so much. My body refused to move. I stood there unable to move back.

Julian stopped just inches away from me. I could smell him because he stood so close to me. His body smelled like bitter black coffee and sharp mint and something dark and dangerous. He was much taller than me. I had to tilt my head up just to meet his icy gaze.

Julian's deep voice sent a massive shockwave straight to my core. He told me that I was sloppy at skating because my name was Frost.

It was the very first time I had ever heard him say my name.

I told him to screw himself while I made my hands into tight fists at my sides. I don't need a washed-up cheat telling me how to skate. I'm the one with the gold.

Julian's eyes darkened and a terrifying arrogant smirk pulled at the corner of his lips. He showed no physical contact with me. The sheer overwhelming weight of his psychological dominance pressed down on my shoulders like physical gravity.

He moved his head down so he could take a step into my personal space. The distance between us made him feel like he was about to touch me because I could feel his body heat.

Julian told the rookie that he possessed raw power but he had zero discipline. Julian told the rookie that he possessed raw power but he had zero discipline. Your posture demonstrates weakness. Your breathing shows signs of panic. You think your little gold medal makes you a king?

I opened my mouth to yell at him but the words completely died in my throat. The terrifying intensity in his pitch-black eyes paralyzed me.

I will begin my mission to eliminate all your bad habits. Frost I will destroy your entire existence before I show you who controls this ice.