Page 49 of Rogue Games

In the eerie silence that follows the thunder, I hear a faint rhythmic pounding in the distance. The first runners are making their triumphant return.

Playing the part of the perfect host, I stay in place, shaking the hand of each person that crosses the finish line, mentally counting how many have returned.

Members of my team are already checking off names and numbers on their clipboards and recording their times.

Even though I know it’s unlikely Jamie will be anywhere near the front given she started at the back, it doesn’t stop my heartbeat from picking up with each new arrival that turns the final corner. And my disappointment when it’s not her.

As wolves start appearing from the direction of the starting line, my chest tightens. These are the wolves that decided it wasn’t worth it. As I suspected, Jamie isn’t among them. Even if it takes her all night, she’ll keep going until she finishes the course.

And deep down, I know I’ll be standing here waiting.

My concern deepens with each returning competitor that isn’t her. Is this the start of an obsession, like the one that consumed my father?

“Is there anyone left on the course?” I ask a strong wolf who’s one of them who turned back. I’m surprised to see him among the group. Things must really be bad out there.

Startled by the question, he shakes his head. “No. When I got to the bridge and saw it was down, I started turning people back. I’m the last.”

“The bridge is down?” I repeat slowly, scarcely believing what I’m hearing. Beckett and I checked every inch of this course over. It would never have failed in just a bit of wind. A lightning strike perhaps?

Joel nods, face pale and drawn. It’s been a long night, and there are lots of disappointed shifters eager to get warm and dry.

“Did you see anyone else?”

I wave over Lynn, who’s directing dripping wet shifters back to their accommodation and telling them where to go for a warm meal.

Exhaustion must be making him groggy because he seems unsure, giving me something between a nod and a shake of his head.

“Thanks for bringing everyone back,” I say, shaking his hand before I tip my head toward the departing wolves, indicating he should join them. “Go and get some food and a hot shower.”

Joel is potentially another wolf I should let through, regardless of the outcome today. He made sure everyone knew not to continue and stayed at the back, making certain they got home safe.

I file his name and race number away for good order.

“Send someone out to the bridge to meet me as soon as this dies down. And ask them to check along the course for anyone who might have taken cover.”

LYNN: Sure thing, boss.

Lynn gives me a salute and returns to marking off the wolves, most now shifted so their fur can protect them against the icy rain, and not even caring that turning into their wolves means automatic disqualification.

And still, there’s no sign of Jamie.

Where is she?

She’s fast. She must have made it over the bridge before it collapsed.

But as more and more wolves cross the line, collapsing into the dirt with exhaustion and checking their times to see if they’ve made it, a sinking feeling takes hold in the pit of my stomach.

When Wyatt turns the corner without his sister in tow, I fight the panic rising inside me. In this weather, he’d never have left her behind.

“Wyatt, where the hell is Jamie?” I demand, striding right up to him and getting in his face, not giving one fuck about the strange looks I’m getting.

“Is she not here?”

He frantically scans the waiting wolves, many of whom never made it around but have remained to cheer on their returning friends.

“Maybe she turned back,” someone suggests, and Wyatt looks at me. We both know she didn’t.

“No, she’s still out there,” I say firmly, trying not to let the fear inside me take control.

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