Page 6 of Savage Games

“This is why Dad didn’t give you the alpha job.You’re a choker,” a man shouts in from the side at the poor wolf hauling himself from the pool, and I feel sorry for him if this is the type of support he has with him for the event.I’d prefer to be on my own.

But then he catches me looking and gives the middle finger, and all of my sympathy disappears.

Refocusing on Naomi, I hand her the rope and let her go first.

“You’ve got this,” I say, pushing as much of my confidence and calm toward her as I can.

Her nervousness flutters in my chest alongside my heartbeat, but with a couple of calming breaths, she relaxes.Her blue eyes mellow as she nods, leaning back to take a running leap and allowing her momentum to carry her over to the next rope.

Like a love-sick teenager, I follow behind, barely able to concentrate on what I’m doing.

As her feet hit solid ground on the far side and she bends over, ass in the air, I almost fall into the inky water too.

Concentrate, Wyatt, or you’ll be the one going home tonight.

Shaking myself to get my head back in the game, I imagine her in the Games for the remaining rounds without me, surrounded by the strongest and wealthiest wolves around.Just because I can’t stop ogling her.

Not going to fucking happen.

I’m going to be by her side every step of the way.

With a determined roar, I swing quickly to the far side of the icy baths and land on both feet with a loud thud.Setting my sights on the men between Naomi and me, I push down the urge to attack and try to talk some sense into my wolf, who’s growing more and more agitated.

They’re not trying to block you from her, they’re just running their race.You don’t need to kill them, just overtake them.

My wolf has never been this territorial, this desperate to eliminate any competition.That alone tells me what I need to know—this is far more than just attraction.

She is mine, and I am hers.

As she sprints up and over a balance beam, she takes a moment at the end to prepare for a long run up and down the course with sandbags on our shoulders.

I put on yet another burst of speed and blow past the other two guys with a disgruntled snarl.

The crowd gasps as I make quick work of the balance beam, my agility clearly a surprise to them, and I cheer internally when the male I was neck and neck with wobbles, losing precious seconds to steady himself on the beam.

“Go Wyatt, go!”Jamie’s frantic voice reaches me from the crowds, and I smile.She’s hosting the competition.She’s a Luna now, and she’s supposed to be neutral, but that’s completely forgotten as she dances on her feet, pointing toward the next challenge so wildly that I have to smother a smile.

My sister either doesn’t see or doesn’t care about the snide glances she’s getting from those who want to see me fail.The route to the finish line is even easier to find now that I have Naomi ahead of me, leading me there like a beacon of light.

My wolf could find the way with my eyes closed.

Grabbing the sandbags and tossing them up onto my shoulders, I hear the ripple of unease that spreads through the crowd as I double up, eager to cut the number of laps to a minimum and ensure I stay close to Naomi, who’s well ahead of me now.

She reaches the end of the challenge, setting two bags on the ground next to the two she brought up in the previous run, and groans when I dump all four of mine on the ground next to them.

“Show off.”She pants as she sucks in air and lifts her head to assess the next challenge.

We’re nearly there with only one competitor left ahead of us as we turn to face the impossible-looking wall we now have to scale.Naomi’s far too small to get over that monstrosity.

“FUCK,” the same man from before is a few feet onto the course now, hands clasped anxiously behind his head as the reality of the situation dawns on him.They’ve set it up so the smaller wolves will be at a major disadvantage.

I let my hands dangle by my sides, my pinky grazing hers as I sense her fear.Our skin barely connects, but it's enough to send a jolt through my system, like touching a live wire.I can feel her determination and frustration mingling with mine.She doesn’t think she can make it over.

“We’re going to run together, and you’re going to get over it.I’ll help.”

Naomi says nothing but nods.We’re both aware anyone could be listening.

“Good girl.Stand on my thigh, my head, whatever.You can buy me a beer later to say sorry.”

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