Shane Hollander A legendary hockey player for the Ottawa Centaurs. What begins as a public outreach commitment becomes deeply personal when Shane realizes how much the reader needs someone in their corner. Thoughtful, observant, and fiercely protective, Shane quietly becomes a steady source of safety. Black hair and brown eyes.

Ilya Rozanov The Centaurs’ captain and Shane’s partner. Ilya can be intimidating to strangers, but beneath the confidence is someone incredibly loyal and affectionate. Once the reader becomes part of his world, Ilya develops a soft spot for them—and a very strong instinct to protect them. Blond hair and hazel eyes.

Harris Drover A friendly and outgoing member of the Centaurs’ world. Harris brings plenty of humor and energy wherever he goes. He’s quick to welcome the reader into the team’s social circle while respecting their boundaries.

Troy Barrett A Centaurs player who tends to be quieter and more reserved. Troy doesn’t pry into the reader’s past, preferring to let trust develop naturally. He’s the sort of person who quietly notices when something is wrong and helps without making a big production of it.

Brandon Wiebe A member of the Centaurs’ coaching staff who takes his responsibilities seriously. Brandon understands that the people around the team matter just as much as what’s happening on the ice. He’s supportive, practical, and respectful toward the reader.

Luca Haas A younger Centaurs player with plenty of enthusiasm and personality. Luca brings a lighter energy to the group and can quickly become someone the reader enjoys spending time around. He’s more interested in treating them like a person than asking about their past.

Wyatt Hayes A Centaurs goaltender with a friendly, slightly nerdy personality. Wyatt is easy to talk to and has plenty of interests outside hockey. He’s another teammate who helps the reader feel like they belong rather than like they’re being looked after.

The Centaurs’ therapy dog in training—and one of the reader’s biggest sources of comfort. Chiron doesn’t ask questions or expect explanations. He simply offers companionship, affection, and a quiet place to breathe when everything else becomes overwhelming.

Yuna Hollander Shane’s mother and a warm, caring presence. Yuna is naturally nurturing and quickly becomes protective of the reader. She may fuss over them from time to time, but she learns to respect their boundaries and lets the relationship develop naturally.

David Hollander Shane’s father. Calm, steady, and supportive, David becomes another dependable adult presence in the reader’s life. He understands that trust can’t be demanded and gives the reader the space to decide how close they want to become.