Page 89 of Savage Games

The forest blurs, trees flashing past me as I tear through the underbrush, faster than I’ve ever run before, leaving Eli struggling to keep up.My father once said a critical quality in any alpha is the ability to face adversity.To know when to fight and when to make the harder choice.

Sounds of pursuit behind me reach my ears, crashing underbrush, panting breaths, the distinctive rhythm of wolves on the hunt.I glance back to see shadows moving through the trees behind us, gaining ground rapidly.Without warning, a large male wolf burst onto the trail, cutting directly toward me with bared teeth.

Eli reacts instantly, spinning back to intercept the attacker.They collide in a blur of fur and fangs, rolling off the path and into the undergrowth.I don't slow to see the outcome.Eli gave me this chance, and I won't waste it.

I've learned a few tricks from watching Wyatt.How to evade.How to mess up your scent trail.I cut sharply left, then backtrack through a patch of strong-smelling wild herbs before I double forward again, creating a confusing trail of scents.

The distant sounds of combat echo through the forest.Every instinct screams for me to turn back, to help my allies, to find my mate.But I force myself onward, remembering Wyatt's words, his faith in me, and what's truly at stake.His life.

Up ahead, the forest begins to thin, sunlight breaking through the canopy in bright shafts.Between the trees, I catch glimpses of brightly colored flags fluttering in the breeze, the northern boundary markers.The finish line.Relief surges through me, giving my tired legs new strength.

I'm going to make it.

A vicious snarl from behind shatters my moment of hope.I glance back to see a massive gray wolf gaining ground rapidly.

Ryan.His eyes gleam with malicious intent as he closes the distance between us, jaws snapping at my hind legs.

This isn't just a competition, this is personal.He doesn’t want Wyatt, or apparently me, to reach the finish line.

I pour every ounce of remaining strength into a final sprint.The boundary is tantalizingly close, just a few more seconds, and I'll be there.But the male wolf is faster than I anticipated.He lunges forward, teeth grazing my haunch in a stinging bite that nearly sends me tumbling.

Instinct takes over.Instead of continuing to flee, I pivot sharply, all my fear and rage channeling into a counterattack.My wolf, larger and stronger than most realize, crashes into him with full force, sending him tumbling backward with a surprised yelp.His body slams against a boulder with a satisfying thud, momentarily stunning him.

Without waiting to see if he'll recover, I turn and sprint the final distance, bursting through the treeline into the clearing beyond.But my heart sinks as I face not the flat ground I expected, but a sheer rock wall rising before me.

"Oh, come on!"I shift back to human form, snatching a pair of shorts from the supply bin thoughtfully placed at the base of the wall."Fuck you, Dean," I mutter, glancing nervously over my shoulder as I assess the rock face before me.

The challenge isn't over.There's one last obstacle between me and victory.I launch myself at the wall, fingers searching for holds on the rough surface, muscles straining as I climb.The rock is cool beneath my hands, rough enough to provide grip, but not so jagged that it cuts my skin.

A low growl behind me sends ice through my veins.Ryan has emerged from the forest, blood dripping from his nose where he struck the boulder.His eyes lock on me, burning with humiliation and rage as he prowls forward.If he reaches me, he'll drag me off this wall and finish what he started.

I try to hurry, but my grip slips, and I shriek as I slide down a couple of feet.I get purchase on the tiniest of ledges and cling to the almost vertical rock face once more.

I glance back down, and when I meet the glowing eyes of a seriously pissed off wolf, panic grips.

Ryan rears up, preparing to launch himself at my legs, when a blur of dark silver fur erupts from the trees to my right.

Kain crashes into him with devastating force, sending both wolves tumbling in a snarling, snapping tangle of limbs.Kain gains the upper hand quickly, pinning Ryan to the ground with powerful jaws at his throat.Then, with a fluid grace that speaks of years of practice, he shifts forms.

“Knew you could do it.”He throws on shorts and eyes up the cliff, taking time to map out the best path.Without looking back at me, he climbs.Calm, methodical, and unhurried.Without waiting for a response, he scales the rock-face alongside me, his movements precise and efficient."Keep going," he adds, not looking back."I'll warn you if anyone else tries to sneak up on us.You just focus on getting help for Wyatt."

With renewed determination, I turn back to the cliff and focus on my breathing, trying to calm my racing heart.I'm so close now, just a few more meters of vertical climbing separating me from my goal.Despite the burning in my muscles and the stinging of my scraped hands, I push upward, finding strength I didn't know I possessed.

Finally, my fingers curl over the top edge.With one last heave, I pull myself over the lip and onto level ground, collapsing for just a moment as relief floods through me.But there's no time to rest.The boundary line lies just ahead, marked by a row of brightly colored flags.And just beyond the help I need.

Forcing myself back to my feet, I charge forward in a final desperate sprint.As I cross the line, a horn blares, the sound reverberating across the clearing.

I've made it.

Exhausted, I collapse to my knees, gasping for breath.Pointing back toward the trees, I shout his name, but it comes out as an exhausted rasp.“Wyatt.”

Dean is there suddenly, looking behind me and not seeing who he expected."Where's Wyatt?"he asks, his expression grave.

Kain appears, looking relatively unfazed as he steps across the line, merely tipping his head back and sucking in deep breaths.

Ryan appears shortly after, looking beaten up and pissed off.

Lynn wraps a blanket around my shoulders and gives me a squeeze, but I brush her off, needing to get help for my mate.

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