Wolf Games

Chapter 8

Erik was pleased when their team finished the challenge in plenty of time, finding all but one of the puzzle pieces. Maggie had insisted on recording everything she could think of about the locations where they’d discovered the letters, hoping the information would help them down the road. They barely crossed the line at the checkpoint before they were whisked away to Carmacks to start the next race.

He kept Maggie beside him as they boarded the bus with four other teams. The fear in her eyes made his heart ache, but the way she squared her shoulders and insisted on sitting with TJ filled him with pride.

The chairman rose at the front of the bus to announce the details of the next challenge.

“You’ll all be in human form for this event of the Games.”

A murmur carried through the bus and TJ swore under his breath. Erik dropped a reassuring hand on the young man’s shoulder.

“You’ll be paddling through one of the toughest sections of the Yukon River. Because of changing water levels, the Five Finger Rapids are nowhere near as dangerous as they were in the days of the Gold Rush. But we’ve planned a mass start, so there will be a lot of canoes vying for the safest route. It’s up to you to make it through to the other side in one piece.

“Scoring for this event will involve both time and bonus points. There will also be deductions.” He held up a brightly coloured float. “We’ve got six buoys anchored at various points along the river. If you get close enough, you’ll once again have an opportunity to observe a symbol that will help you later. It’s completely discretionary if you wish to attempt to reach the buoys.”

“What would cause a deduction?” one of the Anchorage team asked.

The chairman grinned at them, his canines long and sharp. “Falling out of the canoe. You can still get a time score when your canoe crosses the finish line, but anyone out of the canoe causes a deduction to be applied, no matter how it happens.”

TJ’s shoulder tensed even more under Erik’s hand. The kid was just going to have to get over his fear of screwing up. So he was clumsy—he was way better now than a few years ago.

The chairman sat and a low rumble of voices filled the bus. Erik leaned back in his seat trying to get comfortable for the journey, his knees cramped against the back of the bench in front of him. Even the buses adapted for wolves were too small for his bulk. He sighed and closed his eyes.

When he opened them again they’d arrived at Carmacks. He herded his crew over to the side of the staging area then stood back to take a good look at the setup. The canoes were lined up along the edge of the river, twenty feet from the shoreline. Erik eyed his opponents with a practiced eye, spotting the three teams who would be the most competition in this event.

TJ remained silent as Jared joked around. Without her saying a word, Erik knew exactly where Maggie stood, hiding behind his back, sneaking peeks around him at the other wolves. She was doing extraordinarily well, not panicking as the group grew larger by the minute. All the teams were assembled and their support crews were placing the final supplies in piles for the teams to collect when the whistle sounded.

Arms wrapped around his waist and he stilled, covering her small hands with his own. She’d buried her face in his back, her breath warm against his skin. Small tremors shook her body and he twisted, kneeling down to enclose her in his embrace. They stayed there for a moment, just breathing each other’s air. It felt so damn right to hold her.

He kissed her forehead gently. “You going to be okay?”

She nodded quickly. “I might throw up a few times, but I’m not giving up.” Her stubborn announcement made his heart sing. They were truly going to be a wonderful pair, once they dealt with a few minor issues like her shifting problem. Her refusal to accept their mating. Making sure—

Jared nudged them, breaking them apart, before handing over two life jackets. “Try to throw up over the edge of the gunnels.”

Maggie smacked him on the arm and Erik bit back his surprise. “Next time, don’t listen to a private conversation. If I have to throw up, I’ll throw up anywhere I damn well please. Got it?”

A ripple of shock crossed Jared’s face and he dipped his head in submission. Maggie stood just a little straighter and Erik hid his grin. It seemed his little wolf was starting to feel her place in the pack.

He turned to make sure TJ had his lifejacket on properly. The boy was still swearing colourfully, with few repetitions.

“Does your brother know you’re this talented with words?”

TJ snorted. “Who do you think I learned them from? Well, him and Robyn. She’s awful good at cussing in sign language.”

“What’s wrong?”

“I’m going to fuck this up. I just know it. I’m going to cause some major catastrophe.”

“Why?”

TJ looked at him like he’d grown a third head. “Because I’m me. You know I can’t walk twenty feet without landing on my face.”

Erik shrugged. “You bounce pretty good. Just get up and get your ass into the boat.” He tightened TJ’s lifejacket straps and stepped back to complete his own.

TJ continued to stare. “How can you be so calm when chances are I’m about to screw this up for us like I always—”

“Enough.” Erik let his power roll out over the young man as he towered over him. “I don’t let anyone talk shit about you, not even you. Do your best, that’s all any of us ask. If you do have an accident then fix it the best way you can.”

The panic in TJ’s eyes faded slightly.

A piercing whistle broke the air and the team gathered around Erik.

“Okay, there’s the five-minute warning. Those are prospector canoes—flat bottomed so they’re nice and stable. I want Jared in front, TJ and Maggie side by side in the middle. I’ll take the stern and steer us. What do you think about going for the extra buoys? Yes or no?”

TJ flicked a glance at the team. “I’m just going to paddle and keep my ass in the seat. I’ll do whatever you decide.”

Maggie chewed on her lip. “Are the buoys far out of our path?”

Erik shook his head. “Looks like we can pretty much stick to the current. We’ll want to do that anyway to make the best time. The fastest route down the river is not a straight line. When we get close to the rocks we’ll have to stay to the right.” He looked at Maggie. “Did you ever see the rapids when you lived in Whitehorse?”

“If I did, it was a long time ago.”

“There are four towers of granite dividing the current into five parts. The far right is the best one to go through, but the main thing is to avoid the towers themselves and the far-left channels. There are sweepers off the left, and some nasty undercurrents over there. When we get close, just listen to my instructions. We’ll use the first few minutes in the canoe to practice our strokes.”

“What about the symbols?” Jared jiggled on the spot as he stood waiting.

“Maggie, I want you to try to memorize them. Describe them out loud when you see them and we’ll all try to help remember, but I don’t want all four of us staring at the damn things or we’ll be in the drink for sure.”

The final warning whistle blew and there was no more time for discussion. The gun went off and they were away, racing over the grass to grab paddles. They sprinted to the side of the canoe to manhandle it down to the water’s edge. Jared hopped in, TJ fell in and Maggie gracefully jumped over the side as he pushed them out into the current.

“I hate wet socks.” Jared complained from the front of the canoe.

Maggie laughed at him. “You’re not wearing socks.”

Erik laughed. “Okay. Practice time. Everyone draw on the right.”

They practiced maneuvering the canoe until Erik felt they should at least survive the trip. The rest of the competitors had settled into a pattern around them. There were two canoes alone in the lead, a group of six or seven close around the Granite Lake team, and another larger pack behind them.

“Buoy approaching on the right,” Jared shouted.

Erik checked the river. “We’ll try for this one, then we need to slip over to the left more.”

Three other canoes all veered the same direction and suddenly the river grew crowded. Erik steered their craft to the side but it was too late. One canoe rammed them in the bow, another slammed into the other side.

“Shit.” TJ’s paddle went flying. He managed to grab the seat, the boat rocking as he attempted to regain his balance.

Erik ruddered hard, even as Maggie’s quiet voice rose over the confusion and shouts of the other teams. “I saw the symbol. We can go.”

They pulled away from the mess of boats. Once they were back in the current, Erik reached under his feet and poked the swearing TJ in the back with a spare paddle.

“You eat with that mouth? Here.” The look of delight on TJ’s face made Erik grin. “Just hold on to it tight, okay? We’ve only got one spare left.”

“I thought you were going to call out the symbols, Maggie?” Jared glanced over his shoulder at her.

“I figured just in case someone didn’t see it, I shouldn’t announce it for them all. It looked like a cowboy hat with a triangle underneath.”

The crowd of boats slowly spread out. Clusters of twos and threes still paddled beside each other, but with each buoy Granite Lake managed to lose another of their closest competitors. They made it past three more buoys before Erik decided it was enough.

“The rapids are around this corner. I think we should just concentrate on finishing strong and not worry about the final clues.”

The team was silent for a minute before Maggie spoke. “I am getting tired.”

Jared nodded. “I vote for finishing. If you noticed the canoes ahead of us, not one of them stopped to get any of the extra clues. I think the four we saw is enough.”

They settled into a paddling pattern. There was a certain joy in moving in synchronization with the group this way. Not as good as running in a pack, but with a rhythm and a beauty to it all the same. Erik admired Maggie’s arms and shoulders as she paddled, watching the way her muscles moved under the skin. He’d love to see her body shifting like that on top of him, rocking from side to—damn. This was not the time to get distracted thinking about his mate.

He steered them toward the safest channel just as a loud ruckus behind them made him check over his shoulder. Oh shit.

“Holy crap! Did you see that?” Jared gasped his surprise.

“Eyes forward, Jared. You need to keep to your task as lookout.”

“But they dumped the other team!”

Erik shook his head. “Keep paddling, crew. Yeah, we’ve got a group trying an unusual method to gain points. Concentrate on the river in front of us and let me worry about the cheaters.” TJ and Maggie exchanged worried glances before paddling madly. “Whoa, no rush. Just paddle. Trust me.”

He laughed. He’d wondered when someone would get creative. While wolves followed a strict code of conduct in governance, one of the sub-rules was if you were powerful enough, you could make your own rules.

Another shout rose from behind and he watched for a moment as the cheating team came alongside their next victim and made short work of tipping them over. Erik considered a defense and decided they’d never know what hit them.

“TJ, you remember when we guided that family reunion down the Stikine?”

“Are you freaking kidding? I still have nightmares…no, oh no. Holy shit, you can’t be serious—?”

“On my command.”

“Crapola. Yes, sir.”

“Erik. What’s happening?” Maggie sounded frightened and he wanted to reassure her, but there was no time. In a rush the other canoe was at their side, three of their team all at the ready to grasp the side of the Granite Lake craft.

“Now?” TJ asked, his voice coming out high and squeaky.

“Wait for it.” Erik glanced over at the captain in the rear. He should have known. “Darren. Having a good time so far? You and the team?” There weren’t many people Erik actively disliked, but Darren topped his shit list.

The captain of the Anchorage team startled at Erik’s bland response, then grinned widely, his canines showing. “Wonderful time. We’ll see you at the finish line, dripping wet.”

Erik shrugged. “If you insist. Now, TJ.”

TJ leapt, his long limbs propelling him into the air and over the side. He came down hard in the neighbouring boat.

Maggie squealed as their canoe rocked. Jared dropped into the bottom to help stabilize it. Erik threw himself down as well, cracking his paddle on the knuckles of the other team where they clasped the gunnels. Shouts of pain rang out, the hands released and with a clatter the boats sprang apart.

“What the hell—?” Darren’s angry shout was following by an enormous splash.

Erik, Maggie and Jared sat up slowly to watch the opposing team flounder around their capsized craft. Somehow their canoe had flipped over completely and TJ clung precariously to the bottom, his arms and knees spread like he was in his wolf form. Erik snickered in appreciation at Darren’s expression until a change in the roar of water alerted him. They all spun to see the towers of rock rapidly approaching. They grabbed their paddles and slid back into position.

“Draw on the right, Maggie. Jared, forward on the left. Don’t panic, we’ve got time.”

“What about TJ?” Maggie asked, concern tingeing her voice.

“He’s probably going to get wet. We figured it was a very real possibility from the start. Hard! Paddle hard!” Erik judged the distance to the approaching rocks. Finally they were in the correct line. Good. They still had time. “Back paddle. Now.”

The rush of water forced them forward no matter how much they struggled against it, but there was enough difference in momentum that the canoe carrying TJ caught up to them. It could all be for nothing if this didn’t work. Erik knelt on the bottom, his knees spread wide to try to reduce the coming rocking. “When I call out, brace yourselves.”

Erik took a deep breath. He reached out his hand and grabbed TJ’s wrist. “Now!” One solid yank brought TJ flying across the space between the canoes, his arms and legs flailing wildly. He landed in a heap in front of Erik, gasping for air as the other canoe flipped and filled with water.

“Erik!” Jared shouted a warning.

There was no time to do anything but pick up his paddle and slam it into the water. Erik leaned hard, using the blade like a rudder, steering them away from the rapidly approaching rock formation. Jared whooped as a sudden cross-eddy dragged them past the jagged rock edges to the safety of the downstream side.

They all sat back and let the current carry them, the canoe spiraling in a gradual 360-degree circle. Erik sucked in a calming breath and stared up at the sky. The adrenaline rush faded, his pounding heartbeat slowed.

A loud cheer rose from the people watching along the observation platforms as Granite Lake crossed the finish line. Erik brought them into the docking area set up farther down the river, more than satisfied with his team’s efforts. Maggie and Jared scrambled out first, chatting excitedly as they waited on the dock for him to join them. He picked Maggie up and spun her in a circle, his heart jumping as she gave him a big juicy kiss then hung onto his neck, grinning with delight.

“That was awesome. Can we do it again?”

He laughed. “I knew you had an adventurous streak. You didn’t even throw up.”

She dropped her head on his shoulder and spoke quietly. “I’m not happy about being with the other wolves, but being with you feels better and better. I…like you, Erik. I like your sense of justice.”

Her confession thrilled him more than finishing another challenge. He squeezed her tight before carefully putting her down, keeping one arm draped around her shoulders to block her from the other teams walking by. Glancing into the bottom of the canoe, he found TJ still lying there with his eyes closed, a huge grin pasted on his face.

Erik squatted by the side of the dock. “You planning on coming with us? Because I can send out for a pizza or something if you’re staying the night.”

TJ opened his eyes and let out a big contented breath. “I didn’t screw up, did I?”

Erik laughed. “No. You did just fine.”

TJ sat up and nodded. “Maybe there’s hope for me after all.”

“Maybe.” Erik stood and reached for Maggie. She slapped a hand over her mouth and her eyes popped open wide just as a loud splash rang out.

The canoe drifted away down the river as TJ clung to the mooring rope. He bobbed up and down in the water, swearing softly. A huge sigh escaped him. “Then again, maybe not.”

Darren and his team sloshed past, their faces grim. The leader turned to glare at Erik, his gaze raking Maggie’s body. Erik stepped in front of her slightly. He didn’t want the ass anywhere near her. Not when she’d come so far in facing her fears.

“Nice teamwork, Erik.” Darren growled. “You going to introduce me to your lady?”

Maggie ducked under his arm, her face buried in Erik’s side. “Looks like she’s not interested. Keep walking, there’s nothing here for you.”

Darren raised a brow, his gaze flicking between Erik and the little bit of Maggie still showing. “Interesting. We’ll see you in the next challenge.”

They stomped off, their dripping bodies leaving a trail behind.