Page 44 of Rogue Games

“And how are you keeping me young and interesting without talking to me?” I ask.

He needs me to be strong enough for both of us when he’s not okay. I’m worried about how he’s going to handle Jamie and Wyatt’s presence in our lives, when the truth eventually comes out.

And it will, because it always does.

“Are you going to hide in here all day?” I ask. His birth was never kept a secret, and I’m proud of my brother, but with how reclusive our pack is, it was never made widely known. It’s up to him whether he wants to go to the games and broadcast who he is.

“I’m not hiding, per se.” He won’t make eye contact, but a tiny smile toys with the side of his mouth, something I’ll take any day.

“Sure you’re not,” I say sarcastically, coming further into the room and perching on the edge of the couch. “Have you seen Maggie? She’s avoiding me too.”

“How’s your lady friend doing in the race?” he asks, abruptly changing the subject. He gives the air around me a sharp sniff. “A rogue no less, brother. I’m shocked.”

He sounds more impressed that I’ve managed to surprise him rather than horrified.

“There’s no lady friend,” I insist, a little too sharply, so I soften my tone. “Just another competitor who I’ve been speaking to.”

Jax senses my inner conflict and gives me a knowing smirk. He stands, laughing as he claps me hard on the shoulder. “Whatever you say, old man.”

Frowning, I follow him across the room to the fridge, where he pulls out two bottles of water and offers me one, pulling it away again before I grab it.

“Or maybe you need something stronger.”

“Don’t you start. I have enough on my plate.” My list of worries includes his darkening moods and Maggie’s attempts at burying her head in the sand, so I’m relieved to see him in better spirits today. He was dreading this event, and I was worried how he would cope with so many strong shifters around. His beast is…unpredictable.

Confident he’s feeling well enough to take some teasing, I relax a little, happy to get the real Jax today. Not the withdrawn, sullen version he turns into when he’s unwell. “You should be down watching the race, checking to see if your mate is here.”

Jax shakes his head and sucks in a deep lungful of air, stretching his arms up over his head. “She’s not here. Yet. I’d know if she was.”

His tone is confident, but how can he tell if he’s barely left his room?

I don’t argue with him, though, because I’ve seen his sense of smell in action. It’s nothing to joke about. And secretly, I know he hopes that meeting her might fix his wolf.

“Maggie’s not here, if that’s who you’re hunting down. But she’ll come to the clinic if anyone needs her.”

Jax knows that’s not the point, but I can’t tell him what’s going on, so I let it drop.

As our pack healer, I’m shocked she’s not out on the course. She’s probably worried about being recognised, but soon enough, she won’t be able to resist. And if that happens before I speak to her, she’s in for a shock. I want to find her first rather than risk her bumping into them.

“I’m sure if you tell her there’s a she-wolf you have your eye on, she’d be so thrilled she might make an appearance,” Jax teases.

I huff out a laugh. Ordinarily he’d be right, but maybe not when it’s Maggie’s daughter.

“Just tell her I need her.”

Jax nods, but his smile dims as he retreats inside his own head, already pulling away. His wolf is the least pack-like animal I’ve ever come across. The basement is now his personal retreat, and other than surfacing for food, he could go weeks hidden away down there.

Jax doesn’t say anything else as we walk out into the hallway, and I pause, praying he’ll come with me and get some fresh air. His wolf needs companionship and sunlight, even if Jax worries how he’ll behave. A stiff breeze blows in through the open door, and we both turn toward the entrance. It’s getting colder, and I can smell rain in the distance. It’s going to turn nasty.

Jax stops and tilts his head to the side as he concentrates on whatever scent or sound he’s picked up on.

“The first runners are returning already. Let’s go down and watch.” He claps me on the back, and I relax, happy to see him participating for once. “We can see if your date is going to be sticking around for a bit longer. Because you’ve obviously fucked it up already if you’re moping around here.”

I laugh despite myself. He’s far too astute for his own good.

My wolf has been on edge, waiting for Jamie to come back. I’m itching to lay eyes on her or hear from those who saw her out on the course. It’s part of the job, I tell myself as I follow Jax outside. Even if she was of no interest to my wolf, I’d have to make an appearance at the finish line. I’m not just going to see her.

“So, you’ve got nothing to say about the hot brunette you were spinning around the dance floor with last night?”

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