Chapter 11: Jamie

11

JAMIE

D ean’s introduction was hardly an unequivocal stamp of approval for our participation in the Alpha Games.

The hateful looks and murmurs of discontent continue, even after he’s left the building. While he was more than clear that he wasn’t going to listen to any complaining about his decision to allow us in, he also basically admitted that’s only because if we’re shit, we’ll be forced to leave tomorrow anyway.

There was no endorsement of us as people, or sticking up for rogues in general, just a general vibe of don’t give me any grief because there’s nothing in the rules to stop them entering . Heartwarming stuff, really.

Normally, it doesn’t bother me that people look down on us, but with Dean, it matters.

Seething, I slide into an empty seat, and Wyatt drops into the one beside me. Within seconds, an anxious looking server leaves plates of food down in front of us and scurries away without making eye contact. She must be afraid becoming a rogue is contagious.

Wyatt does a better job than me of pretending he doesn’t hear the whispered slurs circling around us. Shovelling his dinner into his mouth with gusto, he glances around the room casually, not a care in the world, whereas I keep my chin up and meet every disgusted glance with an icy stare. Let them look. They won’t be so cocky when they’re eating my dust tomorrow.

Wyatt looks like a man at complete ease, but I know him better than that. He’s subtly checking out the competition and making note of who looks a little more pissed off about our arrival than most. We’ll be staying well away from them.

When two people sitting at our table huff, then get up and flounce away leaving full plates of food behind them, Wyatt pretends not to notice that they’ve found our presence so off-putting that they can’t even finish their meal.

“I know it wasn’t exactly a warm welcome he gave us, but I’m glad that Reynolds put us in the packhouse. I don’t think I’d be sleeping tonight if we were in a dorm.” Wyatt doesn’t look up from his food as he speaks, maintaining his unbothered facade.

Wyatt’s right about that. There are enough vicious words and venomous glares being fired in our direction that I’d be nervous bedding down in any kind of communal accommodation. A door with a lock seems necessary if we’re going to make it to the starting line tomorrow, although we have two very different reasons to be concerned.

Wyatt needs to watch his back because he’s a real threat to the chances of some of the men here, and their delicate egos won’t like being beaten by a rogue.

I have the opposite issue. They don’t think I’m a threat. They think I’m vulnerable, and as a rogue, I’m barely considered human.

I’ve met cocky males who think I should be rolling over and presenting myself, honoured that a high-ranking pack wolf would even deign to look my way. And they tend not to take rejection well. I’d prefer to avoid being put in that position, if at all possible.

Someone kicks the leg of my chair hard when they pass, jolting me forward, and I bite back a snarl. Cursing when I drop a forkful of food onto my lap, I thank the heavens for leather trousers. I’m too busy wiping my thigh with a napkin to notice someone approaching. It’s only when Wyatt taps my knee with his and clears his throat that I look up.

A petite woman with a sleek, almost black, long bob, stands beside us with a broad grin on her face and two large drinks in her hands.

“I’m guessing you could use these.” She hands them to us with a flourish, then takes the seat beside Wyatt. Either oblivious to, or not giving a fuck about, the angry looks she’s getting, she settles in for a chat, extending a hand in greeting to each of us, in turn.

“I’m Maya, Dean’s sister. I’m not officially part of this pack anymore, but if you need anything, anything at all, just let me know.”

It’s hard to believe this bubbly, smiling woman is related to the walking scowl who just stormed out.

Wyatt takes a long swig from his bottle then sets it down in front of him and smiles up at her, grateful that at least someone here doesn’t seem to hate us. “Much appreciated. And congratulations.”

He briefly drops his eyes to her rounded belly and my heart melts. Wyatt’s a big softie. He’d love a family and kids of his own. And he’ll get them, someday. Hopefully after he wins a pack, he’ll get it all.

“Thanks.” Maya beams and rubs a hand over her massive bump, and I spot the two dots on her shoulder, telling me she’s mated to another wolf.

I feel a twinge of jealousy. If anyone deserves a happily ever after, it’s this woman in front of me, and I never wanted a mate. The life of a rogue is too dangerous to bring a child into. Yet, watching her hand move over her swollen belly in giant sweeping circles, it makes me sad to think I’ll never have children of my own. Nobody wants a rogue.

Which makes coming here to find what little family I have left even more important.

“Is it true you made it all the way across the river without anybody spotting you?” Maya asks, with wonder in her eyes.

I nod tentatively, unsure what kind of test this is.

Will Maya be furious? She seems amused more than anything and I decide I like her.

“Dean will hate that. Things have obviously gone to hell around here since I left.” Maya laughs, relishing the opportunity to tease her brother. It’s hard to imagine him taking it well. I can picture Dean throwing her in a jail cell easier than I can see him laughing about someone sneaking across his borders.

“How are you feeling about all these people being here?” I ask, watching her reaction closely.

Her brother doesn’t seem too thrilled about it, but she gives off a completely different vibe. Maya’s less intense, and frankly, happier. But she’s a mated woman with a pup on the way, and she doesn’t have to live with Dean Reynolds anymore. Maybe that explains it.

Maya shrugs and lets her gaze drift over the boisterous crowd.

“I moved to another pack, so I’m used to being around strangers, and this madness , more than the others are, but for the most part, everyone is excited.” She looks me square in the eye. “Dad deprived this pack for decades, now Dean is giving everyone the opportunity to live bigger lives, if they want . Or stay here and never set foot off pack land, if that’s what they want . It’s all about having choice after living most of our lives with none.” After a thoughtful pause, she adds, “Most people here are focused on the positives. Dean wouldn’t do anything that wasn’t in the pack’s best interests. They know that. They trust him.”

Staring at where he disappeared in a cloud of anger, I find it hard to believe everyone is on board with Dean’s plans. Especially when he doesn’t exactly seem enthusiastic himself.

“He’s an introvert. These kinds of big events are… challenging for him,” Maya explains. “Go easy on him.”

Go easy on him? Because he’s such a helpless little pup, I scoff internally.

I’m about to ask what she means, when Wyatt cuts me off.

“What pack did you move to?” Wyatt asks, even though he already knows the answer. I’d point that out, except I want to hear Maya tell us what happened, too. We were stunned to hear the famously overprotective Dean Reynolds let his little sister go to live in Grey Ridge, a pack with whom they share a tumultuous past.

That’s putting it politely, they hate each other. Or they used to, at least.

We were even more shocked to hear it was the luna there, a human no less, who encouraged him to open the borders back up. And that he agreed. It gave us hope that maybe, just maybe, our mother got out of here alive.

“Grey Ridge. My mate, Nathan, is the alpha’s brother. We met when I went there to work for the luna.” Maya has the same dreamy look on her face when she speaks about Nathan Jones as I’ve seen on every other mated couple.

“Oh yes, I heard about that. Were you really the first person to leave the territory? Or was this just the first time it was official?”

Wyatt pinches my leg under the table, but I keep an open expression on my face as I bend his finger back hard. He yanks his hand away and shakes it out, while giving me some serious daggers. He thinks I’m being too pushy, but we’re not going to learn anything if we don’t start asking questions.

That’s the real reason we’re here, after all.

“Yes, I was the first to leave . We’ve had a couple of unofficial visitors onto the land…” Maya winks. “But never off.”

Open-mouthed, I stare at her. Someone got inside Reynold’s territory. But how? Numerous times, I’ve come to the border, scouting for our mum’s scent or any clues that she’s still here, but I’ve immediately known someone was watching me and left. I can’t comprehend how someone could have snuck in.

“They didn’t sneak in. Dean let them stay here as a favour.” Maya laughs at my stunned expression. “See, he’s not that bad. He’s even stopped threatening Nathan, which is progress.”

Wyatt and Maya both chuckle, and I’m irrationally annoyed by my brother’s easy acceptance that Dean is a good person. We don’t know that for certain, and his behaviour so far doesn’t scream, easy-going approachable alpha.

“Is Nathan going to enter the competition?” Wyatt continues the small talk, and I zone out, my attention switching to the happy crowd.

“No. I think he has enough on his hands. Or at least, he will very soon.”

The shifters filling every table are all so relaxed, making jokes and having fun with wolves they haven’t even met before. It’s all so easy for them. They’ve clearly never walked into a room and known in the core of their being that everyone already hates them. It has a way of denting your confidence.

Scanning the room, I see lots of flirty glances and heated stares. I smile at the thought of wolves here finding their mates over the coming days, trying to ignore the pang of envy. As spectators start to arrive, and more high-ranking wolves join in, it’s bound to happen.

Not for me, though. I can already picture how that meeting would end. Painfully.

It’s better we don’t meet at all. I’m here for business and not pleasure, anyway. No distractions needed.

“I’ve heard good things about the Grey Ridge pack,” I comment, keen to move the topic away from fated mates and pups. This is my chance to get to know more about Maya. We are stepsisters after all. We’re family. She just doesn’t know it yet.

“As opposed to the horror stories you’ve heard about this pack?” Maya asks, one eyebrow raised, but with no heat in her words. “I’m joking,” she assures me, reaching out to touch my arm when I flush, embarrassed at my faux pas.

I didn’t mean it like that, but she’s not stupid. She lived through it. Barely survived, if the stories are true. She knows her pack’s reputation.

“I love Grey Ridge. Although obviously, I miss my family.”

Something about her turn of phrase strikes me as odd. Their parents are dead. Graham Reynold’s second chance mate is supposedly dead. Why not just say she misses her brother? It’s just Maya and Dean, isn’t it? She couldn’t know about us, could she?

Wyatt studiously ignores me, but I hear his heartbeat quicken. He noticed it too. Before I get to ask a follow up question, a respectful hush falls over the room as the region's head alpha, Blake Steel, takes to his feet.

“Welcome to the Alpha Games!” The room explodes into enthusiastic clapping. “For decades, families have passed down the prestigious role of alpha from generation to generation. And normally, that serves us well. Honourable families with strong bloodlines, and a sense of duty are what we need.”

Everyone is hanging onto his every word as he strides across the front of the room. You could hear a pin drop.

“And yet, we find ourselves, for the first time in a long time, with a pack without a suitable heir.”

Pausing for dramatic effect, he gestures to the eager crowd. “And sometimes, it’s not the tried and tested that we need. It’s new blood, it’s fresh ideas. And that’s where you come in. Instead of me choosing who should become the newest alpha in my region, I’m letting you decide. Your fate is in your hands. If you’re strong enough, smart enough and lucky enough, you could become my next alpha.”

The silence is deafening. Every wolf in the room is picturing themselves in that role.

“But remember, being alpha isn’t easy. And so, the Alpha Games will not be easy. Becoming an alpha is not about power and status. It’s about serving your pack. Putting the greater good ahead of your own desires. You will not be rich or successful unless your entire pack is rich and successful. If anyone here thinks otherwise, this isn’t the place for you.”

He glances around, giving the shifters present a chance to argue with him, or leave. But nobody so much as blinks.

“A lot of the time, it’s about doing things that you don’t particularly want to do.” With a wry chuckle, he adds, “Just ask Alpha Reynolds.” There is a quiet ripple of laughter through the room. “I jest of course, because without his generosity, there would be no games. Or at least not a completely fair one. And really, there’s no better example of putting your pack’s future ahead of your own comfort than what you’re witnessing here today.”

Alpha Steel’s words cause a pang of something deep inside me. He’s telling everyone what a sacrifice this is for the notoriously prickly alpha, and to respect that. It’s strangely touching. Steel clearly has a soft spot for Dean, even though they seem like complete opposites.

“Getting through each round will be tough. I’ve seen the courses. I’ve set the criteria. Neither Dean nor I have made this a walk in the park for you.” Blake’s voice gives away how much he’s enjoying this. Alphas are nothing if not competitive. They live for the chance to pit themselves against each other. The prize being a pack just adds to the drama. “You’ll need more than brawn to make it. Keep your wits about you, and remember, you’re being judged on your leadership skills just as much as your race times.”

As Blake continues to speak, my mind wanders to a handsome man with a dangerously dark pair of troubled eyes. I stare at the door, expecting him to come back, maybe even hoping, as Blake’s speech begins to wrap up, but he still doesn’t return.

“Only one wolf will win, but that doesn’t mean the rest of you have lost. And I applaud you for being here today, ready to give it your best shot.”

Maya follows the direction of my gaze and smiles softly.

“It’s nothing personal. He’s just finding this hard,” she whispers over the sound of chairs dragging along the floor, as everyone around us gets to their feet, glasses in hand, ready to toast the grand opening.

I’m surprised at her frankness. Dean is known for being difficult. He’s tall and intimidating, with an intensity that takes your breath away. I’ve seen him in action. So, while it may be true that his wolf isn’t happy with the invasion of his territory, Maya lived the same life as he did, but she’s risen above it to be a nice person.

So, what’s Dean’s problem?

Blake Steel raises his glass and shouts out across the surging crowd, “Welcome to the Alpha Games! May the best wolf win!”

A cheer goes up around the room, stamping and clapping, creating a deafening din. This party is about to get wild, so that’s our cue to leave. With a nod to each other, and a quiet goodbye to Maya, Wyatt and I excuse ourselves and slip from the room.