Page 27 of Alpha Games
It didn’t matter how we got here; it was over.
We’d done it.
We’re not done yet.My wolf growled, gearing up for the final round as footsteps sounded behind us.
Almost there.I took off running.
Aspen was standing at the edge of the cliff across from the white flags marking the end of the obstacle course. The slope of valley was edging closer to the mountain plateau, giving me a better view of my mate and the rose she held in her hand. A smile quirked my lips as I pumped my legs faster.
I slid to a stop on the grassy knoll with markings signifying the last course. A field of wildflowers and knee-high grass stretched before me, curving up to the last acre or so of rocky outcropping leading to the finish line at the top of the hill. Aspenwalked between the billowing white flags and my beast howled. The breeze blew around her, sending me her scent downwind, and I took a deep breath of my prize.
So close I could almost taste it.
I dragged my gaze away, looking at the steel buckets at the sides of the knoll filled with javelin type spears. Scratching my head, I took a moment to study the final obstacle.
It was laid out like a race with the grassy valley roped off, leading to the last portion of the slightly treacherous climb up to the cliff face at the end.
So what are the spears for?
Metal sliding against metal drew my attention. John O’Neil pulled a spear from the bucket. The big brute had snuck up on me as his scent blew downwind. His fist tightened around the spear. I took a step back.
“Fight to the death?” He ran a hand over his beard as his brown eyes lifted to meet mine.
The camera drones zoomed closer. My hackles raised as I reached for a spear.
The zinging whizz of a pole being launched cut between our faces, taking the breath out of my lungs with it. We turned, watching the spear hit its target lying almost hidden in the high grass.
“Fifty points.” That punk-ass Trenton let out a haughty growl. “See you at the top.”
John and I stood shoulder to shoulder as we watched Trenton dart past us. I hefted the spear in my hand, testing the weight of it. John muttered some calculations under his breath.
Footsteps beat against the earth behind us as more of the males finished pushing their boulders.
“Do the points count?” John whispered.
“I don’t think so.” I adjusted the weight of the pole in my hand, calculating the odds of a direct hit as Trenton ran through the field. It’d be easy to take him out. That might’ve been the point. Who needed a favor when you could go for the kill? The games weren’t like they used to be, but I wouldn’t put it past the show to play on our primitive natures.
“That’s not good.” John spit on the ground. “Sure would be nice to have someone here watching my back.”
I looked to Aspen who stood by the flags waiting to see what I’d do. My wolf’s hackles were still on end as he paced within me.
I sent up a silent prayer and readied the spear. “I’ve got you. We better move fast.”
John nodded and wiped the sweat from his brow as he gripped his spear. “I’ll owe you one.”
“On three.” I had a feeling we’d both be owing each other if we made it through this. “One, two…”
Our javelins sailed through the air, finding easy targets at the ten and twenty yard marks. We blew past them, barely noticing where they landed. John ran forwards. I jogged backwards behind him, hoping there were no hidden holes in the grass.
The next group of three Alphas took up their spears at the starting line on the knoll. They didn’t hesitate since we’d shown them the way, which meant they came to their decision much quicker than we had.
“To your left,” I growled as the first spear came whizzing through the air.
“Watch the board.” John zigzagged around a target and I followed in his steps.
The Alpha’s spear landed wide. He shifted as he leapt into the race. It’d be faster in our wolf forms,but we’d be running blind with none of our packs here to communicate telepathically with.
“I’ve got the next one.” John spun around, tapping my shoulder. We switched positions. I watched for pitfalls ahead, trusting him to guard my back.