Page 46 of Savage Games

Eli and Dash had their stuff trashed, too.Collateral damage to whoever did this, utter disrespect to me.They’re making it clear that anyone near me is fair game.Stay away from the rogue, or else you’ll become a target too.

I stand in the doorway, jaw clenched and breathing heavily, then pray for patience.

The scent of the intruders lingers, not just one wolf, but three, their combined markers forming a distinctive signature.One stands out clearly: Ryan Williams.The other two are harder to place, but I recognize the scent of one wolf who flanked him at the shower block.

This wasn't random.This was retaliation.

My wolf goes deathly silent, a dangerous calm washing over me as my brain catalogues the damage.This isn’t just intimidation.This is a warning.One I have no intention of heeding, but still.They fear me.They want me to quit.

They’ll be back when they realize I’m not leaving.

Footsteps sound behind me, and Jamie appears first, her expression instantly shifting from worry to fury.

“What the fuck?I came to check if you were okay.Did you do this?”Wide eyed, she stares at me.I guess it’s not that ridiculous to think I might have, considering the state I was in when I left the packhouse.

“Yes, Jamie.I pissed on my bed.”

She scowls at my sarcasm and then grimaces as the scent of urine hits her.“Gross.”

Dean isn’t far behind, his face grim, as he surveys the scene, taking a few sniffs to pick up the most recent scents.He’s much calmer than I thought he’d be.“Guess someone’s feeling threatened.”

“No shit.”My voice comes out rough, like gravel scraping my throat.

Already agitated from earlier, and now with this piled on top, my wolf resists being trapped in a small space with the big alpha at my back.That Dean’s mated to my sister makes little difference right now.This was my stuff, my den, albeit a temporary one, and when you don’t have much, losing the few belongings you have hurts.

These things mean something to me, and seeing them desecrated is yet another blow my wolf is struggling to take.There are bad days, and then there’s this.

Eli and Dash show up next, breaking the tense atmosphere with their loud voices and boisterous energies.After exchanging shocked glances, Eli crosses to me and is brave enough to rest his hand on my shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze.

“Wyatt, man, we can clean this up.It’s not a big deal.I’ve got lots more gear, and you can take my…”

Though I appreciate their kindness, something I’m not used to being on the receiving end of, I shake my head, the tightness in my chest settling into something cold and hard.“I’m not staying here.It’s not fair to you.”

Eli’s brother, Dash, frowns.“You don’t have to do that.This isn’t your fault.”

“I do.”My voice leaves no room for argument.“I’m not dragging you two into this.They did this to make a point.If I stay, they’ll come back for more.”

They’re probably watching us now to see if I’m going to take the hint.

I’m not, but I won’t let my presence negatively affect these men’s chances, either.They already nearly lost their spots helping a competitor in the first round.

“But where will you sleep?”Jamie’s hands go to her hips, her voice climbing into that fierce, protective tone she always uses when someone messes with me.“This is bullshit.You can’t just give in.”

I’m not giving in.Far from it.I’m just keeping my distance until the time is right.

“The forest.”I shrug, turning to Dean to make sure he has no objection to me staying out there tonight.“I’ve been out there most nights, anyway.I’ll be fine.”

"Be careful out there," is all he says, before frowning and narrowing his eyes at me."I saw you at dinner.If you're going to move against Brad, make sure you have evidence and a damn good reason.The kind that would stand up in front of the council."

The warning is clear.This isn't just about protecting Naomi anymore.We're potentially stepping into pack politics that could have far-reaching consequences.You can accuse an alpha of something unless you’re damn sure you can prove it.

Jamie glares at Dean, incensed that he’s going to let me sleep in the woods and handle this myself.

“You’re just going to let this happen?This is the kind of pack we’re running here?Competitors getting bullied out of their own rooms?”

Dean’s expression doesn’t change, but he pulls Jamie into a tight hug, which she reluctantly accepts before melting into him.

“This is the Alpha Games.A true leader anticipates betrayal and adapts to it.”His eyes meet mine.“And finds a way to beat them at their own game.”

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