Page 78 of Game of Destiny
“I should have thought about asking someone to bring us food,” Finlay said and took a big bite of his wrap.
“You have a lot on your mind. As your Beta, I will pick up the slack. Eat and drink. I don’t want you to be hangry around your brother. That will end in a disaster,” I told him.
“I’m more worried about your temper. I saw the look you gave him. Should I worry?” he asked me. I shrugged.
“As long as he remembers to respect you, I will keep my claws to myself. But I am your Beta. If he tries to disrespect you again, I might need to show him we don’t stand for that shit,” I said honestly.
“Yeah. You should eat as well. Let’s go into this with as low risk of maiming as possible,” he told me. I wasn’t going to object. He was right, and more important, Matilda’s chicken salad was amazing. After eating, we sat in silence. We both had enough thoughts to occupy us. From time to time, Alpha Ryder and his Beta walked by. They seemed to have a hard time staying in one place. Probably not used to not being in the gym, I thought. I really should be nicer, but it was preferable that I was snarky in my mind, than me leaving claw marks on them.
“The council is ready to give you its decision,” a council warrior told us. We looked at each other, stood up and followed them. We took our spot at the pulpit. A moment later, Finlay’s brother and his Beta walked in with two warriors and stood in their place.
“Thank you for letting us talk this through,” the head of the council started. “Some decisions this council is asked to make are easy. But this one has been difficult. It has several layers and the consequences of it will be widespread. We have listenedto both sides and both Alpha Ryder and Alpha Finlay raise valid points. We acknowledge that the Blue Mountain pack’s members have chosen to join the pack of their own free will. And because of that, this council hesitates to step in. But, there is a concern about the pack’s safety. We also agree with Alpha Finlay that if his pack ranks well during the game, this concern is not valid. The council’s decision is therefore as follows. If the Blue Mountain pack places among the top fifteen packs in the games, the council will not intervene in any way. If the pack places below the fifteenth rank, we will order a reunification to take place. In that case, we will order, according to Alpha Finlay’s wish, that the pack land is to be sold and the profit distributed equally to all members above the age of eighteen. This is the decision of the council.” I wanted to yell at them. It was unfair. No other pack was being threatened with forced union with stronger packs if they ranked lower. Why were we being singled out? But once the council made a decision, that was it. If you wanted to appeal, you needed a good, strong reason. We all bowed to the council and left. Outside the chambers, Finlay’s brother walked up to us.
“Just give it up, Finlay. There is no way you rank above fifteen on your first try. Not with a team like yours,” he said. I growled and he looked with surprise at me.
“Alpha Finlay,” I corrected him.
“Don’t underestimate us, brother. Just because we look friendly, it doesn’t mean we won’t bite. The last pack that took our calm nature for weakness is no more. I would remember that if I were you,” Finlay said. He took my hand and we walked away.
‘If you look away for ten minutes, it would be enough,’ I mindlinked Finlay.
‘I’m not going to let you lose on my brother for ten minutes, Red. He is still my brother and I think my mother would be upsetif he loses eyes and limbs,’ he told me. I huffed. ‘We need to tell the others,’ he added. I sighed.
‘Yes. And we need to tell the ones at home. I’m sure we will succeed, but if we, by some chance, don’t, they need to be prepared for what is about to happen,’ I agreed.
‘I hate to tell them something like this when we aren’t there.’ I nodded as I agreed.
‘It will put more pressure on the team. The pack's future is now on our shoulders,’ I said.
‘Do you think they will crumble?’ he asked.
‘No. I think it will motivate us. All of us want the pack to stay intact. We will do our best for it to remain so.’ I paused for a moment. ‘Do you think your brother is desperate enough to try and do something?’ I asked him.
‘You mean sabotage our games?’ I nodded. ‘A week ago I would have said no. The risk is too high if you get caught. But now, I don’t know. We will have to keep our eyes open.’
‘Do you want me to cancel the meeting with my brother later?’ I asked him. He gave me the first smile since we left the council chamber.
‘No, Red. You go and have some bonding time with your brother and his mate. At least one of us should enjoy meeting up with their family.’ My heart ached for him.
I was walking to where I was to meet Elder and his mate. I was feeling doubtful if I should be going or not. As soon as Finlay and I had got back to the cabin, we had told everyone about the council’s decision and then we had called home to tell the pack. No one had taken it well. I had been set on staying in the cabin and doing my part in trying to calm the pack down, but Finlay had told me to go and meet my brother. We were to meet halfway between their cabin and ours. It would give us some time as we walked to the more dense part of the forest to shift.
“Amie?” I had been lost in my own thoughts, but as my name was called I looked up and saw Cindy looking at me.
“Oh. Hi, Cindy,” I said.
“So the rumour was true?” she asked.
“The rumour?” We had never been close friends, but we had got along for the most part.
“That you were here. Does it mean the part about you and the Alpha still being mates is true as well?” she asked.
“It is, at least for now,”I told her.
“For now? Rejected for a second time?” I frowned.
“We both feel it’s for the best.” It was her turn to frown.
“I just don’t get it. If I was mated to an Alpha I would fight tooth and nail to keep that bond,” she said.
