Page 38 of Savage Games

“If she did, in fact, do this… thing, and it’s not just him making something up to hold over her, then she has to make a choice.Is dealing with the consequences of her actions, which from experience, I can tell you will probably catch up with her eventually anyway, better or worse than living a life in a pack she doesn’t like, under constant fear of the truth coming out?”

The words hit me hard, because they echo my own thoughts in my darkest moments.Every day that passes with this secret hanging over us is another day of living in fear.Another day of being controlled by Brad.I've seen how it's affecting Maddie, the haunted look in her eyes, the way she flinches at shadows, how thin she's become from stress.

And yet, the alternative terrifies me just as much.What would happen if the truth came out?The council doesn't look kindly on wolves who kill their mates, even in self-defense.

“She’s scared.”I admit.“And so am I.”

If she’s going to get in trouble for what she did, then I’ll be punished for my part along with her.But maybe that’s only fair.I don’t regret it for a second.Maybe it’s time to be brave and stand up for both of us while my sister is still a shadow of her former self.Being away from there would help her recovery.I know it would.

My eyes drift to where Wyatt has disappeared from view.I can’t bear the idea of leaving him when we just found each other.

Callum watches where my gaze lingers with shrewd interest.

“Facing the truth feels so much better than feeling afraid.”

He gestures for me to walk back toward my room, keeping his promise to Wyatt to ensure I get home safely.Not pushing me for more information, he’s strong and steady by my side as I mull over his words.

The silence between us is companionable, not uncomfortable.

The more time I spend with Callum, the more I understand why Dean chose him as his beta.There's a quiet strength to him, an integrity that's rare.He doesn't judge, doesn't push, but he doesn't look away from someone in trouble either.

"For what it's worth," he says as we near my cabin, "Wyatt's a good man.He’ll understand, and he’ll wait."He gives me a significant look."Whatever's going on with Brad, with your sister, Wyatt deserves to know.He can't protect what he doesn't understand is in danger, including himself."

Callum is right.If the truth is going to come out eventually anyway, it’s better if it’s on Maddie’s terms.

I need to speak to my sister.Immediately.

“One question,” I say, hoping Callum might know the answer.“What’s the stars rule?”

Callum’s face drains of colour and it feels like a hole is opening up beneath my feet the longer he takes to answer.

“It’s a way around the rules preventing alphas extending their territories through war and attacks.”

When he pauses, I feel like shouting at him to spit it out, but instead, I wait patiently, knowing I won’t like what I’m about to hear.

“And?”

“Essentially, it means that if two pack leader’s mate, their territories can be joined.So if an alpha, Brad for example, were to mate with a Luna, say one who just recently acquired a pack in the Alpha Games, their lands could be merged.”

Holy shit.

After centuries of constant battles between alphas decimated shifter populations, with big packs and even bigger egos all fighting to gain more land, the council banned alphas from assuming more territory.

The council was formed to protect those weaker packs sick of seeing their wolves needlessly slaughtered.Packs joined forces, created alliances, and implemented rules everyone agreed to abide by.The first one being that ambitious alphas could only lead one territory at a time.

Nobody can create an empire by beating all the smaller packs around them into submission.

But that’s not Brad's master plan.His is far more disturbing.

No wonder he changed his tune about me competing.

He’s figured out a way to reclaim more land… land that his ancestors lost in previous battles, by using me.And using my sister to control me.

14

Wyatt

So my little mate has some secrets.

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