Vivian Arend - Wolf Games

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.

Maggie knocked on the door of the hotel room next to hers, her heart beating loud enough she was surprised they couldn’t already hear her standing outside. She didn’t really want to do this, but since she saw no alternative, she was going to put on her big-girl panties and force herself to have a good time. If she didn’t pass out first from nerves. Jared opened the door and whistled in appreciation.

“My oh my, you clean up nice.”

Maggie spun in a circle, the layers of her skirt floating around her. Now that she knew he was safe, Jared reminded her of nothing more dangerous than a golden retriever. “Why thank you, kind sir. Is the rest of my harem ready to escort me to the ball?”

He snorted and gestured her in. “TJ’s still in the shower and Erik disappeared thirty minutes ago, saying he needed to grab some stuff.”

Maggie sat in the overstuffed chair in the corner of the enormous suite. There was a wet bar behind her, a comfortable sofa facing a massive wall-mounted TV and an office studio off to the side. “I can’t believe they put us in a five-star hotel in Dawson City. I’ve never experienced the kind of luxury we’ve had for the past three days.”

Jared raised a brow. “What? Just ’cause we’re wolves doesn’t mean we don’t know how to behave in high society.” He straightened the collar of his white shirt and pulled on a suit jacket. Maggie admired the results. The boy was a walking advertisement for GQ, wolf style. “Damn, can you help me with this? I can never get it straight.”

She slapped his hands out of the way to work on his tie. “Staying here is just such a contrast. They start us out with a hike through the wilderness, throw us in the Yukon River and then plant us in Dawson to cool our heels? I mean I’ve loved the sightseeing and the sleeping in a real bed. And the food…oh my Lord, I’ve gained ten pounds.” She shrugged. “I thought they would make us head right away for the next challenge.”

He stepped back to check himself in the mirror. “Remember these Games are supposed to be like the wolf equivalent of the Olympics. Yeah, we all want to do our best, but there’s also the good-will-between-packs part. It’s a chance to show we can be together without starting territory wars like in the old days.”

Maggie collapsed back into the chair. “Jared…I’m going to confess. You guys from the Granite pack are not like any wolves I’ve met before.”

TJ leapt out of the bathroom, stark naked, dripping wet and singing into a hairbrush at the top of his lungs. Jared eyed him for a moment before turning to face Maggie, one brow lifted high. “You were saying?”

She burst out laughing. Jared joined her and the two of them gasped for air as TJ stood in the middle of the room, a confused expression on his face.

“What?”

The main door opened and Erik wandered in, checking out TJ as he paced around him. “Interesting attire. I take it you’re going for the super formal look.”

“Ha, ha.” TJ dragged a towel over his body and nodded at Erik in his jeans and T-shirt. “What’s with you? That’s not your usual black-tie outfit.”