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Chapter 20: Jamie

20

JAMIE

A s we make our way around the lake, over rocky outcrops, up steep hills and overgrown paths, everyone is feeling the pace. I’ve passed some wolves from the waves ahead of us, and with the group now mixed, it’s hard to tell who’s doing well and who’s lagging behind. All we can do is keep moving.

I have to hand it to whoever devised this course, they’ve taken a real sadistic pleasure in causing us as much discomfort as possible.

We’re forced down steep, jagged rock faces, across a fast-flowing stream, then another relentless climb in heavy, wet trainers with our sodden clothes weighing us down. It’s been a mental battle to get this far, and without any distance markers, it’s impossible to get a real sense of how far we’ve travelled.

Or how much worse things can get.

Nobody knows how fast we need to be moving to complete the rest of the course in the allocated time.

All we can do is push as hard as we can and worry about it at the end.

Ahead of me, I hear a loud groan, and my heart sinks, knowing we’ve met our next challenge. Two wolves stand at the top of a ridge and cover their faces with their hands. Knowing I’m not going to like what I see, it’s a struggle to motivate my tired body to put one foot in front of the other.

“No way. No fucking way am I crossing that. It won’t hold my weight,” one argues. It seems we’ve reached the canyon. A snicker from the wolf on the left suggests the massive wolf at his shoulder might not be wrong.

“I’ve never been so happy to be the runt of the litter.”

With that, the slimmer wolf shimmies down the slope to the canyon’s edge, where two heavy ropes span the huge gap. They swing slowly, to and fro. I doubt Dean is evil enough to send us across if it’s the death trap it appears to be from here, but it’s enough to make anyone’s stomach flip. It’s a long way down.

Wyatt hits the top of the hill just as I start my descent toward the bridge. “Ah shit. I hate heights.” He curses as soon as he spots what awaits him.

The lake glistens off to our right in the distance, it’s possible there’s another way down over there, and an easier way across, but none of us knows the territory. Maybe we get down and there’s no other way to get over but to swim, and no way back up on the far side.

And we don’t have any time to waste.

Swallowing a chuckle, I watch as the brothers in front of us turn and grimace. It looks like we’re not the only ones dreading this. There’s a strange kind of camaraderie that you build when you suffer together. I wouldn’t go as far as to say we’re trauma bonding, but maybe by the end of the games, that’s what it will be.

If this is round one, I dread to think what else is in store for those who get through.

As I tiptoe closer to the edge, my stomach lurches at the massive drop. One of the other wolves nudges me gently with his shoulder. When I look up, his expression is kind, and he extends a hand to me to shake.

“I admire what you’re doing. Don’t listen to Samuel. He’s not alpha material. He won’t be around for long.”

When I look to the far side of the canyon, Samuel is just stepping off the bridge to safety. With a cocky salute to the brothers, and a last hate-filled glare at me, he turns and jogs into the overgrowth beyond.

“I hate that guy,” Wyatt mutters, breathing hard as he comes up behind me, watching Samuel disappear into the distance. “Okay, come on, let’s get this over with.”

We watch with amusement as the two brothers try to cross the bridge together. The rope bounces and sways wildly as they make their way across, and with a silent look, Wyatt and I agree to go one at a time instead.

“You go first,” I say. “And don’t wait for me when you get to the other side.” Wyatt sighs but nods. I know he’s been holding back, wanting to keep me in his sights in case anyone else gives me trouble. “Nobody else is going to give me shit. And if they do, I promise, I won’t engage. I don’t have the energy anymore.”

There’s no point in both of us missing the cut. I’m pushing myself hard as it is, whereas Wyatt is coasting along. He’s taking a calculated risk that he’s doing enough to stay in the top half of the racers. But if he can go faster, and ensure he stays in the competition, he needs to do it.

“Fine.” Wyatt pales as he puts one foot onto the rope but makes the fatal mistake of looking down. “Fuck. Fuuck.” With shaky legs, he starts to make his way across to the far side. This is his worst nightmare, but he keeps putting one foot in front of the other, and my heart swells with pride.

“You’ve got this!” I shout over at him, but all he does is extend the middle finger of his left hand while keeping his white-knuckle grip on the rope.

“You’re nearly there!” I’m pumped he’s made it most of the way across without stopping. His pace is steady. If you didn’t know him, you’d never guess he was terrified.

That is, until he roars, “Fuck off, Jamie. You’re distracting me!” back over his shoulder.

The brothers give us one last wave before turning and racing off ahead. I hope they make it through to the next round. They seem like good people.

I’m laughing, enjoying this moment with my brother amidst the seriousness of what we’re doing here when he finally reaches the other side and falls to his knees on the grass.

“Your turn, sis,” he calls as he climbs to his feet unsteadily and wipes his sweaty brow with the back of his hand.

“Don’t worry. Heights don’t bother me,” I say cockily, gripping the rope with both hands and stepping out onto the swaying bridge. “Go, Wyatt. I don’t want to listen to you moaning if you miss the cut off because you waited for me.”

Reluctantly, Wyatt edges away, walking backward. He watches until I get to the middle and am on the homeward stretch before he nods, throws me a salute, and melts into the forest beyond.

“Fuck, fuck, fuck,” I mutter to myself, abandoning the pretence of not being scared to death as soon as Wyatt’s left. “Fucking Dean Reynolds trying to fucking torture me.”

What kind of maniac would send anyone across this death trap? The man is clearly a sadist.

The wind is picking up, the sunny skies of earlier are now grey and heavy, with full clouds preparing to dump their loads. The chill in the air tells of the coming showers, and I can’t wait to get back to a warm shower and a cosy bed.

I keep that thought in my mind as I take a deep breath and steel myself for the last section.

“You can do this.” I’m talking myself up, hoping a positive attitude will get me past the panic growing inside me as the rope sways wildly in the wind. I’m inching along, my fingers stiff from holding on so tight, when I catch the scent of another shifter and frown. A shifter that should be long gone.

Samuel steps out of the trees on the far side, a cold hard look in his eyes.

“Samuel,” I warn. “Please don’t give me any shit right now. This is bad enough already.”

He laughs, mocking my slow but steady progress across the bridge. “Some alpha you’d be.”

This isn’t good. He should’ve been long gone by now. What does he want?

“Just fuck off,” I mutter. He waited for me. He waited until Wyatt was gone and came back for me. “Is it really worth ruining your own time just to piss me off?”

Trying to pick up my speed without looking scared, I take wider steps, watching Samuel closely as he watches me with disdain.

“A rogue being given a pack devalues the position. Spits on the graves of our forefathers. Only the best wolves should be allowed to enter, to ensure the bloodlines stay pure and strong.”

My mother was Luna of this pack. I’m not sure what makes him think my bloodline is tainted but that’s not something I want to share just yet.

I’m also tempted to point out that he’s not quite brave enough to have this conversation face-to-face with my brother, but I’m in a precarious enough situation here. There’s no point making it any worse.

I’m only metres away from the edge when the rain starts. Because of course it does.

Big heavy drops fall, making it hard to see and even harder to keep a hold on the rope. When I take another step, my focus is split between what I’m doing and what Samuel wants. My trainers slip on the slick rope, and I almost lose my footing. Adrenaline surges through my veins at the close call, and if I didn’t have both my hands on the rope, I would have fallen.

Samuel seems to find this highly amusing and saunters toward the bridge, his gaze now focused on the ropes instead of me. He stops at the edge of the cliff, blocking my path to safety, and I freeze, waiting to see what he’s going to do.

“Move, Samuel. Let me pass so we can both keep going.” My tone is firm but calm, much calmer than I feel.

Samuel smirks, a cruel grin plastered across his face and shakes his head. Slowly, his eyes lift to me, and he looks smug, triumphant even.

My stomach drops to my feet as I scan the trees behind him for Wyatt. Maybe he heard and came back? Maybe he feels guilty and wants to stick together. Except I told him to leave, so he’ll do it. I’m on my own.

“Don’t worry, Joel’s keeping watch for your brother.” Samuel’s gaze slides to a point over my shoulder, and I curse, my fingers tightening around the rough rope in my palm.

Because his buddy is right behind me, on the other side of the bridge, blocking my retreat. He gives me a sinister wave before also placing one hand on the rope bridge.

I’m trapped.

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