Page 73 of Game of Destiny
‘Because that would be to show weakness,’ he told me. I disagreed with his brother. It was not to show weakness to help a pack mate in need. It was to show weakness when you were too afraid to help those who needed help.
“Use your claws,” Finlay’s brother growled. Again, for all to hear. It was a clear sign of how tired and unfocused he was.
“But Alpha,” the man objected.
“Just fucking do it,” Finlay’s brother demanded. I could hear the claws digging into the rock and it let the dangling man lift himself up and continue. His teammates followed after. They resumed the climb, but the mood was off. I could feel theirritation in the air from where we sat. Their struggle to get all five members to stand on the top was interesting to watch and reminded me of a wrestling match. I tried my best not to giggle, but I heard several audience members failing at the task. When all five pack members finally stood on the top the commentator was heard.
“Ocean shore pack, you have completed the game with two minutes to spare. You did use claws, which is a clear offence of the rules. Your final score will be marked down by fifty per cent.”
‘Oh dear me,’ Matilda said. Finlay just shook his head. We watched the final packs as well. When the final pack of our designated area had finished we packed up and headed back towards our cabin.
“Amie!” The pack closed ranks around me, as my name was called. I looked around me at my pack mates with a mix of surprise and gratitude.
‘It’s okay, it’s my brother,’ I mindlinked them. They reluctantly parted to give me space to walk up to Elder.
“They are protective. I’m guessing you have told them about what’s happening?” he asked as he looked back at the group from my pack. They stood a couple of feet away, none of them even pretended they didn’t listen to what we were saying. I smiled.
“We did, and they are. How did it go for you today?” I asked.
“Good, I think. We all made it to the top within the set time. It’s a little nerve-racking that we don’t get the points until the final day,” he said. “How did you do?”
“Same here,” I told him.
“Good. I was wondering, tomorrow is set aside to let the packs talk to each other and arrange for diplomatic meetings. Would you be free in the evening to go for a run with me and my mate?” he asked.
“Just you and your mate?” I asked, I needed to be sure.
“Yes. Just family,” he reassured me.
“I would love to.” He smiled.
“Mom and dad can’t stop talking about your call. By the way dad boasts about his daughter being the Beta of her pack, you would think I was a regular pack wolf,” he told me and laughed.
“I have always been their favourite,” I teased him.
“No way. Mom always gave me the bigger portions,” he objected.
“Because you were growing like an ogre,” I reminded him. We both laughed.
“See you tomorrow, Amie.”
“Looking forward to it.” I said. We gave each other a hug, and I returned to the pack. “See. I’m fine. Thank you for looking out for me,” I told them. We went back to our cabin and Matilda and two others started with dinner while Finlay, Sam, Jake, Ramses and I sat down to talk things through.
“We did good today,” Sam said.
“I messed up,” Jake objected.
“No, there was a mistake. It happens,” I insisted.
“She is right,” Ramses agreed. “If anything, it gave us an opportunity to show off our teamwork.” We all nodded.
“We all got to the top, followed the rules, and no one got injured. It was a good day,” Finlay said. there was a knock on the front door.
“Looks like it won’t end,” Sam said as he got up to open the door. He returned and handed an envelope to Finlay. “From the council apparently,” he said. Finlay opened it, read it, looked like he was going to kill someone and then took a deep breath which he slowly released.
“Amie, Sam, with me,” he said and headed up the stairs. Sam and I looked at each other as we followed him.
Chapter 37
