Page 23 of Rogue Games

“I love Grey Ridge. Although obviously, I miss my family.”

Something about her turn of phrase strikes me as odd. Their parents are dead. Graham Reynold’s second chance mate is supposedly dead. Why not just say she misses her brother? It’s just Maya and Dean, isn’t it? She couldn’t know about us, could she?

Wyatt studiously ignores me, but I hear his heartbeat quicken. He noticed it too. Before I get to ask a follow up question, a respectful hush falls over the room as the region's head alpha, Blake Steel, takes to his feet.

“Welcome to the Alpha Games!” The room explodes into enthusiastic clapping. “For decades, families have passed down the prestigious role of alpha from generation to generation. And normally, that serves us well. Honourable families with strong bloodlines, and a sense of duty are what we need.”

Everyone is hanging onto his every word as he strides across the front of the room. You could hear a pin drop.

“And yet, we find ourselves, for the first time in a long time, with a pack without a suitable heir.”

Pausing for dramatic effect, he gestures to the eager crowd. “And sometimes, it’s not the tried and tested that we need. It’s new blood, it’s fresh ideas. And that’s where you come in. Instead of me choosing who should become the newest alpha in my region, I’m letting you decide. Your fate is in your hands. If you’re strong enough, smart enough and lucky enough, you could become my next alpha.”

The silence is deafening. Every wolf in the room is picturing themselves in that role.

“But remember, being alpha isn’t easy. And so, the Alpha Games will not be easy. Becoming an alpha is not about power and status. It’s about serving your pack. Putting the greater good ahead of your own desires. You will not be rich or successful unless your entire pack is rich and successful. If anyone here thinks otherwise, this isn’t the place for you.”

He glances around, giving the shifters present a chance to argue with him, or leave. But nobody so much as blinks.

“A lot of the time, it’s about doing things that you don’t particularly want to do.” With a wry chuckle, he adds, “Just ask Alpha Reynolds.” There is a quiet ripple of laughter through the room. “I jest of course, because without his generosity, there would be no games. Or at least not a completely fair one. And really, there’s no better example of putting your pack’s future ahead of your own comfort than what you’re witnessing here today.”

Alpha Steel’s words cause a pang of something deep inside me. He’s telling everyone what a sacrifice this is for the notoriously prickly alpha, and to respect that. It’s strangely touching. Steel clearly has a soft spot for Dean, even though they seem like complete opposites.

“Getting through each round will be tough. I’ve seen the courses. I’ve set the criteria. Neither Dean nor I have made this a walk in the park for you.” Blake’s voice gives away how much he’s enjoying this. Alphas are nothing if not competitive. They live for the chance to pit themselves against each other. The prize being a pack just adds to the drama. “You’ll need more than brawn to make it. Keep your wits about you, and remember, you’re being judged on your leadership skills just as much as your race times.”

As Blake continues to speak, my mind wanders to a handsome man with a dangerously dark pair of troubled eyes. I stare at the door, expecting him to come back, maybe even hoping, as Blake’s speech begins to wrap up, but he still doesn’t return.

“Only one wolf will win, but that doesn’t mean the rest of you have lost. And I applaud you for being here today, ready to give it your best shot.”

Maya follows the direction of my gaze and smiles softly.

“It’s nothing personal. He’s just finding this hard,” she whispers over the sound of chairs dragging along the floor, as everyone around us gets to their feet, glasses in hand, ready to toast the grand opening.

I’m surprised at her frankness. Dean is known for being difficult. He’s tall and intimidating, with an intensity that takes your breath away. I’ve seen him in action. So, while it may be true that his wolf isn’t happy with the invasion of his territory, Maya lived the same life as he did, but she’s risen above it to be a nice person.

So, what’s Dean’s problem?

Blake Steel raises his glass and shouts out across the surging crowd, “Welcome to the Alpha Games! May the best wolf win!”

A cheer goes up around the room, stamping and clapping, creating a deafening din. This party is about to get wild, so that’s our cue to leave. With a nod to each other, and a quiet goodbye to Maya, Wyatt and I excuse ourselves and slip from the room.

12

JAMIE

Out in the hallway, the closed doors to the ballroom muffle the sounds of the jubilant wolves beyond. Nobody has won anything yet but let them party tonight and be sick tomorrow. That suits me just fine. Not only will it give me an edge, but it also proves to the judges they’re not serious about the competition.

Maybe that’s exactly why Dean and Blake are throwing it, to see who’s dumb enough to stay out half the night and ruin their chances at whatever hell they have planned for us in the morning.

I stop, wondering where Dean snuck off too. My wolf is constantly looking for him, unable to relax. I can’t scent him out here, but he never returned to the ballroom, either. He’s surely not so uninterested in what’s taking place that he’s retired to his room already, has he?

Maybe, if he has a woman there.

An image of Dean, naked in bed, covered only by a thin sheet from the waist down, gleaming tanned abs on display, floats unbidden into my mind.

“What is wrong with you?” Wyatt hisses, when my steps falter and I swallow hard, trying to get a hold of myself. My gaze drifts down the long, currently empty hallway. This could be the perfect opportunity to find out more about him and his pack.

My brother’s already at the foot of the ornate staircase when he realises that I’m no longer at his side. He waits, one boot resting on the bottom step, and glares at where I stand rooted to the spot. Everyone is busy. Dean’s gone goodness only knows where. This is too good an opportunity to pass up. If I wasn’t so consumed with Dean, I’d already have thought of it.

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