Page 69 of Game of Destiny
‘It’s not like it has been during your Alpha meetings. You are not alone and you don’t need to face your brother or mother on your own.’ I reminded him. He nodded. We both tried to focus back on what was being said. It was a long list of past achievements, heroic undertakings and the wolves who performed them. It kept going for three more hours before they finally let us go with a reminder to make sure we were ready for tomorrow and the first game. We all filed out of the stadium. Finlay, Sam and I made sure everyone in our pack stayed together. We had decided ahead of time we would go back to the cabin and eat lunch. Then we had a light training session planned for the team who were to take part in the games, and then we would rest in the evening.
“Finlay!” someone called out. We stopped as one and turned in the direction of the voice. I saw who I guessed was Finlay’s mother, come walking. Behind her came his brother and another male, who looked like he also spent too much time lifting heavy things. Matilda, Sam and I all joined Finlay as the three wolves got closer to him.
“Go on ahead of us, we will be right there,” I told the rest out loud. They seemed to hesitate for a moment, but then started to walk again. It made me smile, they wanted to be there for their Alpha.
“Finlay, it’s nice to see you. You look well,” his mother said and fired off a weak smile at him. Now when we were up close, I could see Finlay had got his eyes from her. But otherwise I didn’t see a resemblance between them. Finlay even looked more like Matilda than his own mother. His brother, on the other hand, was a spitting image of their mother. If she had spent her days at the gym.
“Hi, Mom. So do you,” Finlay said.
“Are you getting enough sleep? I know it can be hard being an Alpha and you were never trained to be one,” she said.
“Tamara, Finlay is an exemplary Alpha,” Matilda interjected.
“Oh, hi Matilda. Well, that is good to hear,” his mother said, she didn’t sound sincere.
“Mom, Ryder, you know Matilda and Sam. This is Armeria Sage, our Beta,” Finlay introduced me. I inclined my head to the three wolves. Finlay’s mother returned the gesture, the two males did not. I wasn’t surprised, but I felt Finlay tense up next to me.
“Really, brother? A female Beta? What, couldn’t get one of the males to accept the role after what happened to your last one?” his brother said. I could feel the tension rise.
“Martin gave his life for the safety of the pack. Any Beta would do the same and it’s a testament of how great of a Beta he was. Amie is as dedicated and powerful Beta in her own right,” Finlay told his brother.
“The pack loves her, and we are lucky to have her,” Matilda said and Sam nodded along. It was really sweet to stand up for me like this. It wasn’t needed, I could care less what these men thought of me.
“We were so worried when we heard about the attack. Wouldn’t it be better to just come back to the pack?” his mother asked.
“No. The attack was unfortunate and we mourn the loss of the three pack members who had to give their life for saving the pack. But we are more determined than ever to stay as a pack. After these weeks it won’t be an issue any longer,” Finlay told her. None of the three wolves liked the answer.
“Still not mated, I see,” his brother scoffed after looking at Finlay’s neck where a marking bite would be displayed. “If you can’t even produce an heir, the pack won’t survive.” Now it wasme that tensed up and I had to use all my self control not to growl at the other Alpha. Finlay scoffed.
“I heard you found your mate, congratulations. I’m sorry to see she didn’t join you. I would have loved to meet her. And don’t be too worried about me and the pack’s future. There is more than one way to get an heir,” Finlay told his brother. It was his brother’s turn to scoff.
“She is too weak to go to a place like this. An Omega, who would have thought the gods would give me one of those for a mate. But at least she will bear me sons,” Alpha Ryder said. His voice was so cold and void of feelings it made me flinch. Finlay glared at his brother.
“You sound very happy, again, congratulations.”
“Back to the important topic. Stop being so fucking stubborn and come back to the pack before something goes really wrong. I will even agree to include the strays you have picked up on the way. It could be… interesting,” his brother said, looking me up and down in a way which made me feel like I needed a shower and then be scrubbed with rubbing alcohol.
“No thank you. I would rather be dipped in honey and dragged through a fire ants’ nest,” I said. Matilda laughed, as did Sam. Even Finlay’s mouth twitched.
“What did you say, bitch?” the other male wolf asked with a growl.
“Keep your Beta in check,” Finlay growled at his brother. “I won’t have him insult anyone from my pack.”
“I could say the same for you. That b… Beta has a mouth which will lead her into trouble,” his brother retorted.
“Amie had all the right in the world to snap back at you after the way you looked at her. You are a mated wolf,” Finlay said. The tension between our groups increased by the minute.
“Okay. I think we all need some food in our system. Let’s head back before we start a growling contest, or worse, a dick measuring one,” I said.
“So true, Beta, lunch is waiting for us. I prepared it before we left,” Matilda said in a cheery voice.
“Mom, Ryder, I hope to see you again and good luck in the games,” Finlay said. His brother made a face.
“As if we need it.” I urged Finlay and Sam to move. I knew if they stayed, it would end up bad. Probably in the realm of disqualification type bad. Me and Matilda got the boys moving and we walked back to the cabin. The others were waiting for us and even if no one asked, they all wanted to know what had happened.
“We are all fine. We exchanged some pleasantries and then they kindly offered us to join their pack, and we politely declined. Now it’s time to eat. If you want to join in, make sure to help set the table and bring out the food,” Matilda said. It put an end to the hesitant looks. The lunch was as amazing as always. But Finlay’s mood stayed the same. During our light training in the afternoon, Finlay almost ran Jake into the wall and when he threw Ramses clear across the room, Sam decided we had trained enough for the day. His bad mood continued during dinner and it affected everyone. I helped Matilda with the dishes and afterwards I found Finlay in the living room, flipping through the channels on the TV. I sat down next to him on the couch and took the remote from him.
“Hey! I was using that,” he objected.
