Page 29 of Midnight Moon
Good thing I didn’t agree to their alliance. The Wilds shifters didn’t seem to have their stuff together.
“Game one of this year’s Alpha Games will be a traditional hunt,” Alpha Kurt confirmed. “The Badlands Pack has released five specific deer into our woods. Our pack’s crest is branded on their right hind leg.”
I bit my cheek to hide my grimace. It wasn’t very wolf-like of me, but I hated hunting live animals.
“The first pack to find and retrieve one of these deer and return it will win the game and earn five points to their score. The second pack will earn three points, and third will earn one.”
My jaw slackened.
In the past, the winner of the Alpha Games was whoever won the most of four games. If there was ever a tie, the host pack would come up with another game as a tie breaker. A point system had never been implemented before, and I wasn’t the only one taken aback by the change.
“What do you mean, ‘second and third’?” Alpha Orlando sat at the table closest to the fireplace, scowling at the Badlands leader. His fellow packmates wore the same expression.
“The Badlands Pack has decided to make the games a little more interesting. Each game will have corresponding points to be awarded to the packs who finish in the top three places. At the end of the games, whichever pack has the most points will win the Alpha Games.” Alpha Kurt’s grin grew, obviously pleased with himself.
“Are the points broken down equally for each game?” Alpha Diego stood near the buffet table with an empty plate. I’d seen him eating earlier. I wondered if he was going for seconds or thirds.
“Yes,” Alpha Kurt answered the massive shifter. “First place will always earn five points, second will earn three, and third will earn one.”
Well, that changed things.
In theory, as long as the same pack didn’t come in first for every single game, a pack who won second or third place each time could potentially claim overall victory in the games.
I loved the idea, but the change made me uneasy at the same time.
I’d trained for the Alpha Games with the goal to win as many games as possible, but I hadn’t expected to have a chance to actually win the competition. This change would make that possible!
“This is outrageous,” Alpha Orlando spat. I was not at all surprised by his opposition. He had a reputation for complaining. “You cannot arbitrarily change the manner in which winners are chosen in the Alpha Games.”
“Actually, I can,” Alpha Kurt replied. “And I did. If you don’t like it, feel free to withdraw from the games.”
Alpha Orlando’s face turned red. I waited for him to continue arguing but was surprised when he sat down. He immediately began murmuring with his son, no doubt discussing how the latest revelation changed their strategy.
Hunter leaned close. “This could be good for us.”
“I know.”
We shared a smile.
The door on the far side of the meeting hall opened with a bang, crashing against the wall and rattling the nearest windows. Several shifters leapt to their feet and bared their teeth at the potential threat.
I, too, whirled towards the sound. A sense of relief flowed over me when I noticed Chase standing in the doorway—until I noticed angry red bruises covering his jaw.
Nine
My eyes traveled over Chase,taking in the wounds peppering his face and arms. The red marks blended into purple, disappearing under the sleeves of his t-shirt. My stomach fell to the floor as I imagined what could have possibly caused such damage.
With hate-filled eyes, Chase stepped into the room. His gait was off despite his best effort to hide it, revealing his injuries weren’t limited to his upper body.
I was so distracted by the shock of Chase’s injuries; I did not immediately notice Asher follow him into the room.
I held my breath, but I couldn’t keep from sighing when I realized no bruises or cuts marred Asher’s skin. He was unharmed, but his eyes were just as furious as his injured partner’s.
“The Wilds Pack,” Alpha Kurt called out. “Nice of you to join us.”
I frowned at the alpha’s rebuke.
Was he serious? Could he not see Chase’s injuries?
