Chapter 50
Amie
he walk to the stadium had become a ritual in itself. We walked inT silence, all of us focused on the task at hand, the unknown game we would be playing. Last time it had been easy and fun. None of us expected it to be the same today. When we took our seats, it was ten minutes to nine.
Finlay and Sam were on high alert and resembled bobble head figures as they tried to watch all of the stadium at once.
“Dear packs. We have now passed the halfway mark of the games.
Today’s game will be hide and seek,” the speaker’s voice told us. Our pack perked up. The twice yearly hide and seek competitions were a loved tradition in our pack and we had our champion with us. “Each pack will designate one or more seekers and one or more hiders. How many in each role is up to you. The hiders will have a ten minutes’ head start to hide within the designated area. When the seekers are allowed to start, they will try to find as many of the other packs’ hiders as possible. When they have found someone, they will howl and an official will confirm they have found a hider. You will have two hours. When the time is up, every hider who hasn’t been found will amount to twenty-five additional found targets for their pack. Claws, teeth or any other violence is not allowed. You have the time until you arrive at the designated area to decide how to divide your pack.” Everyone stood up and we were escorted to buses. ‘Amie and Jake are the best at hiding, as long as she stays in human form,’ Sam started our discussion. ‘I think I should hide as well,’ Ramses said.
‘It makes sense. If we stay hidden all the way to the end, it will be worth it,’ Jake agreed. ‘It does,’ I agreed as well. ‘You and the Alpha are good seekers,’ I said. ‘So are you,’ Finlay told us. ‘I don’t know if I’m twenty-five worth of good,’ I admitted. Everyone nodded. We had a plan. When we walked off the bus, there was a man noting down who would be hider and who would be seeker. It was the same area as we had been in for the tag game. ‘Stay in touch with each other via mindlink and stay safe,’ Finlay reminded us before the first signal sounded. I sprinted off towards an area I remembered had trees, bushes and large boulders. I found a good spot that had me out of sight, but still allowed me to see in the directions where I guessed most would be coming from. When I hid, I had made sure no one was around, but as I waited for the second signal and the release of the seekers, another wolf came running. He looked around and then scaled a tree. I mindlinked Finlay with the information. Not long after the second signal, Finlay came running, looked up into the tree and howled.
“Confirmed from Alpha Finlay,” a voice said. ‘Stay hidden and keep giving me targets,’ he mindlinked me as he started seeking. ‘Stay safe and don’t fall for any traps,’ I answered. After the talk we had with his mother the evening before, I was seriously getting paranoid that Alpha Ryder would do something to sabotage us. I was worried his target would be his brother. After all, it was Finlay who was the glue keeping us together as a pack. Our leader. As time passed, I shifted my place. Even when doing my best to mask my scent, if I stayed long enough in one spot, it would be detectable. If I moved on, the scent would lead any seeker to my old spot rather than my new. It also helped, as few seekers looked in the same spot twice. Which meant that it would be safer to move to a spot that had been thoroughly searched. My second hiding spot served me as well as my first. On occasion I saw someone shift hiding spots and alerted Finlay or Sam. We were doing well. Neither Jake nor Ramses had been found. It looked as if we would get three bonuses at the end. With almost forty minutes left, I rotated spots for the second time. I made my way through high grass with the aim for a group of trees. They were tall, with straight trunks with few branches close to the ground. I saw a way to use the few branches to reach the higher ones, it would be a great spot. After making
sure I was alone, I took a running start and easily jumped between the branches, ending up on one high above the ground with a dense foliage around me. I found a spot where I could see the ground below me. Not many minutes passed and then I heard someone coming. I saw Ramses and was about to mindlink him to let him know I was close by. Then I saw movement and when I looked in the direction, I saw the Beta in the Ocean shore pack. My heart stopped for a second. Then I told myself to stop being dramatic. The Beta would howl and Ramses would be out. It was regrettable, but not the worst thing. But the Beta didn’t howl and I wondered what he was waiting for. When Ramses was almost directly underneath me, I saw the Beta ready to charge him. I shouted out a warning in mindlink to Ramses. I saw the look in the Beta’s eyes and I knew he meant business. I mindlinked Finlay to let him know and jumped down from my position. I shifted in the air. The second it had taken me to mindlink Finlay, the Beta had charged Ramses. I saw his outstretched hand with extended claws. The only thing saving Ramses was my warning, which had made him shift his weight to turn around. It made the Beta’s hand miss his throat. Instead, he got a grip on Ramses’ shoulder. It felt like an eternity to drop down. I heard the joint pop as it dislocated, and then I heard the crunch of bones breaking and Ramses’ shout of pain. My wolf growled loudly as I landed on the Beta’s chest. His surprise made him let go of Ramses. My wolf’s instinct was to rip the throat out from the offending wolf who had hurt her pack member. But I pulled her back. I didn’t want to be disqualified. I made her jump back and stand over Ramses body.
Growling, showing teeth and challenging anyone to get closer. To my surprise, it wasn’t Finlay who showed up first. Jake was in his wolf form and ran past me to stand between me and the frustrated looking Beta. He growled in a way that was close to an Alpha’s growl. Impressive. The two of us didn’t let the offending Beta out of our sight. Several participants had come to see what was going on. Finlay came walking with two council members and his brother.
“What is going on?” one of the council members asked.
“The Beta from the Ocean shore pack attacked me. My shoulder is crushed,” Ramses said. The pain in his voice was clear. I was still standing over him, not letting him get up or anyone get close.
“Beta?” the council man asked.
“I may have nicked him in the heat of the moment,” the Beta said. I
growled. ‘Amie,’ Finlay mindlinked me. ‘It wasn’t in the heat of the moment. I saw it. It was planned and he went for the throat,’ I told Finlay. Finlay’s eyes locked with mine, I could see his anger. He was trying to hold back and me growling at everyone wasn’t helping him. I stopped growling, but I didn’t move.
“A clear rules violation. The Beta is out of the game, fifty per cent penalty to the Ocean shore pack,” the council man announced and his colleague nodded.
“I want to make a formal complaint. According to my Beta this wasn’t an accident. It was premeditated and it was meant to be a killing blow,” Finlay said.
“That is a serious accusation, Alpha Finlay,” the councilman said.
“And completely false,” Alpha Ryder objected.
“Your Beta saw the entire thing?”
“She did,” Finlay said, looking in my direction. The councilmen both followed his look and saw me standing over Ramses, protecting him. I wasn’t growling, but I wasn’t calm and I felt my lips twitch, showing my canines.
“Right. Tempers are high. We will set a hearing for tomorrow. The injuries are not fatal so the game will continue. All three of the hiders from the Blue mountain pack have been found, but no one will get a point from it. Ten minutes remaining,” the councilman said and walked away. ‘Go!’ I told Finlay. He needed to find as many in hiding as possible now that we lost all three bonuses. He hesitated. ‘Go, Jake and I will watch over him until they let our healer tend to him,’ I insisted. He nodded and set off. I could feel the anger rolling off both him and Sam. When everyone had left.
I sat down next to Ramses and Jake sat on his other side.
“I’m fine. You can go and rest and come back for me when the game is
over,” Ramses told us. ‘Shut up and rest,’ I told him.
“Yes, Beta.” Ten minutes had never felt as long in my entire life as when I watched over him with Jake’s help.
Jake and I stayed in our place until the signal came. It told us the game had ended. A group of our pack members came running as soon as it sounded. Hugo started looking over Ramses while Matilda handed spare
clothes to Jake and me so we could shift back. Finlay and Sam came walking shortly thereafter. Finlay gave me a look and when I nodded to let him know I was unharmed, he walked over to Ramses. Despite Ramses’ objection, he was placed on a gurney and carried off to a waiting car. Our pack got a separate car to ride back. Which was probably wise since we all were tightly strung and wouldn’t have done well packed in a bus with other packs. Back at the cabin, we all waited while Hugo and his assistant took care of Ramses. A letter came from the council, summoning Finlay and me to a meeting at nine the following morning. When Hugo came downstairs, we all turned to him.
“His right shoulder is dislocated and fractured. There are some torn ligaments and deep gashes. I have set the shoulder and given him healing salves. Now we just need to wait for the healing process to do its part,” he told us.
“Will there be any permanent damages?” I asked.
“There probably will be scars left by the claws. If he takes time and let it heal before using the shoulder, he should make a full recovery. But if he is stubborn and refuses to listen to me, there might be some remaining mobility issues,” he answered. It was clear by the way he said it, he and Ramses had already discussed the topic.
“How long will he need to recover?” Finlay asked.
“It’s hard to say right now. It might be fine in a day. It might require a week. I will know more tomorrow,” Hugo said. Finlay nodded.
“Is it okay to go up and see him?” I asked.
“Please do, and try to talk some sense to him,” Hugo said. Finlay and I walked upstairs. Ramses made an effort to sit up in his bed.
“Stay down. If it makes you feel better, you can see it as an order,” Finlay told him. Ramses grinned as he relaxed back.
“Hugo has already talked to you,” Ramses determined.
“He has. There is no shame in resting after an injury,” I told him. Both he and Finlay gave me a look, telling me I wasn’t the right person to talk about being a model patient. They had a point.
“I will be ready to join in the next game,” Ramses told Finlay. Finlay nodded.
“We will take it one day at the time. Your first and foremost duty right now is to rest and regain your health,” Finlay told him and placed a hand on his uninjured shoulder.
“Yes, Alpha.”
“The others want to come and see you as well. We will send them up in smaller groups. If you feel too tired, just let us know,” I said.
“Thank you, Beta,” he said. Finlay, Sam and I sat at the kitchen table.
“What do we do about this?” I asked.
“Tell us what happened,” Sam said. So I did, in as much detail as I could remember.
“First step is to talk to the council tomorrow,” Finlay said. Both Sam and I nodded.
“We should also make sure that no one walks around on their own. I don’t think anyone is stupid enough to do something in the open. But I would rather be safe than sorry,” Sam said. We all agreed.
“That goes for the games as well. From now on, our strategies will be based on groups. No one is to be left alone,” Finlay added. My phone chirped and I looked at it. I was messaged by my dad.
“What’s up?” Finlay asked.
“My dad has called for a family meeting,” I told him. “I will just let him
know I can’t make it.”
“Go,” Sam told me.
“There is nothing we can do right now, anyway. Take the call and we will let you know if we need you,” Finlay agreed. I walked up to my room and joined the group call. My mom was in my father's lap and Elder had his arm around Becky in the other window. I felt an intense longing to have Finlay with me and an usual bitterness that I couldn’t show my love freely. I plastered on a smile to hide my jealousy.
“Good, everyone is here,” my dad said. “Amie, your mother and I had to hear from your brother that you had been injured the other day, and now that another of your pack was injured today. You need to tell us these things young lady,” he told me with a stern look. I knew I was in trouble when he used my name.
“Dad, it was just a couple of scratches, nothing worth talking about,” I tried to object and glared at Elder. “And yes, one of my pack members was injured today. I just haven’t had a chance to actually call anyone and talk about it. I’m the Beta of the pack, I need to make sure they are okay.”
“Armeria, I don’t care if it’s just a bee sting, you will tell your father and me if you get hurt,” my mom said. I felt like I was a child again.
“Yes mom.”
“Good. We are happy that you are not seriously hurt, pumpkin. How is your pack member?” my dad asked.
“He’s seriously hurt, but he will recover. Thank you for asking.”
“I’m happy he will be okay. But the situation is worrying. Are you in danger?” my dad asked.
“Dad, we are in the middle of the games. All participants are in danger,”
Elder said. My dad huffed and looked at us with expecting eyes.
“I don’t know. We are trying to figure it out. But we are taking precautions to stay safe,” I told him.
“Good, good. I have only heard good things about your Alpha, I’m choosing to trust him for now. Elder, son, I shouldn’t need to say this, but just because your sister is in another pack doesn't mean you shouldn’t keep
her safe.”
“Dad!” I objected.
“I know, dad. I’m on it,” Elder calmly told him.
“I’m all grown up. I can take care of myself,” I said.
“Families take care of each other. Don’t fuss,” my mom told me.
“Yes, mom.” I really felt like a child again, getting scolded.
“Are the council taking action?” Dad wanted to know.
“We have filed a formal complaint and they have called for a hearing tomorrow,” I told him. He nodded.
“Stay calm, tell the truth and remember they don’t base their judgment on emotions,” he said.
“Thanks, dad. We will remember it.” We talked a while longer and then ended the call. I took a moment to reflect on it before heading downstairs again. I realised I was out of practice. I wasn’t used to having my family who would need to know things. My family had become the wolves around me, and since most of them knew the things that happened to me the moment it happened. The need to share information was low. I needed to do better. As I walked out of my room, I tried to mindlink Ramses to see if he needed anything. I couldn’t reach him so I cracked open his door a little. He was sound asleep and next to his bed, Matilda sat on a chair, knitting. ‘Do you need something?’ I mindlinked her. ‘I’m fine. Raina will make dinner tonight,’ she answered. I nodded and closed the door. As Raina had started making dinner, Sam and Finlay had moved out to the sundeck to continue their discussions. I joined them.
“Ramses is asleep and your aunt is watching over him,” I told them as I took a seat.
“Everything okay with your family?” Finlay asked.
“Yeah. I just got scolded for not reporting regularly enough and my dad gave some good advice for the meeting tomorrow.” I told them about my dad’s advice and we discussed different approaches we could take. When we ate dinner, the mood was sombre, but as I saw the plate we had sent up with food. Coming down empty, I felt hopeful. If he was well enough to eat, there was hope. After dinner, Finlay took me to the side. ‘Maybe it’s time for you to step to the side. Accept the rejection and you won’t be a participant any longer,’ he suggested in a mindlink. ‘You are lucky that I like you, Alpha. Or I would have had to knee you in your private parts for saying something like that. Are you telling me I’m too weak?’ I answered him. Staring daggers. ‘No! Amie, you know I don’t think you are weak. You are one of the strongest wolves I know. But I’m going insane here. You have already been hurt and things are only looking worse. I can’t do anything to protect you and it’s fucking scaring me to death.’ My anger disappeared as quickly as it had appeared. I stepped up to him and wrapped my arms around his waist, and leaned my head on his shoulder. His arms closed around me. ‘I’m sorry. I get you are worried. I am too. If they are going after someone, it would make sense to go after you. I can’t step out of the games.
We may already be one member short. And if I accept the rejection now, it won’t just take me out. It will take James out as well. Which isn’t fair. And you know it,’ I told him. I could feel his sigh by the rising and falling of his chest. ‘Why do you need to be so fucking perfect? Would it kill you to be selfish for once?’ I smiled. ‘Probably not, but why risk it? Perfect has worked well so far. And I’m not perfect. I have a strong urge to maim and kill at the moment. But this is helping to keep it at bay,’ I confessed. ‘Don’t even talk about it. I’m wondering how I’m going to look at my brother’s Beta tomorrow without ripping his throat out. I think the council would frown on it if I did.’ ‘They would,’ I agreed. ‘They’re no fun. But you didn’t give in to those emotions last time we were there, or with James. So I think you will do good.” He huffed and the puff of air tickled my ear.
