Page 38 of Wild Games
“When Dean mentioned the incidents had become more concerning, I thought it best to handle it myself, given the high-profile nature of the event.” He gestures toward the door. “Walk with me?”
I follow him outside into the morning sunlight, grateful to escape the stifling room, the oppressive scrutiny, and Raven’s intense stares.
“Ryan’s here somewhere,” Zane says, his gaze moving across the training area. “I wanted to check on him as well, make sure he’s feeling okay.”
I give Zane some serious side-eye.
“Brotherly concern?”
It’s no secret he doesn’t really get along with his brother. I’d say it’s more likely he’s here to reassure himself that Ryan isn’t involved in what’s going on.
“Something like that.”
We pass a group of younger wolves heading to morning drills, and they nod respectfully to Zane, automatically registering him as someone to stay on the good side of. He returns the gesture absently, unaware of the effect he has on those around him.
Zane stops and turns to me.
“I thought he could do with seeing a friendly face. Our father has... expectations. High ones. Being the son of a former headenforcer means you’d better measure up, or you’ll hear about it. Repeatedly.”
His father is no peach. I’ve seen him being rude to servers, expecting to be treated like royalty despite it being obvious to everyone else that they’re stretched thin and doing their best. It’s not hard to imagine his bad attitude extends to how he treats his own family.
Zane sighs and clasps his hands behind his back.
“Ryan lets it bother him more than he should. And acts tougher than he is.” Zane’s expression shifts, something protective flickering through. “He’s not a bad kid underneath the attitude.”
I had written him off as an overly cocky douche, but now, I have a little more sympathy for him. Maybe he’s trying to live up to what he believes is expected of him. I hope Zane’s right, that he hasn’t lost his way.
Movement catches my eye near the equipment shed. Lynn emerges carrying training pads, a broad smile on her face as she hands them out to the sparring partners here to help the competitors stay fight ready.
She glances our way and freezes completely, the smile immediately vanishing from her face. The pads tumble from her arms as she steps backward, face draining of colour.
Without retrieving them, she turns and practically runs, disappearing around the corner of the building, leaving a flirtatious male staring after her, flummoxed, and more than a little disappointed.
Zane watches her go, swallowing hard before wiping the stunned expression from his face and frowning.
When he sees me staring at him, he clears his throat and rolls his shoulders. “Somebody’s jumpy,” he comments, trying to make light of her quick escape, but he looks genuinely rattled.
Deciding I have enough problems of my own without worrying about my boss, I pretend not to buy it.
“The attack has everyone on edge,” I say, refocusing on the task at hand.
“I’m sure,” Zane concedes, but his attention lingers on where she vanished, and I notice his stance has shifted subtly, body turned in her direction as though he’s contemplating going after her.
But after a moment, he turns back to me. “Torres sent you to observe quietly. This definitely isn’t quiet. I assume you haven’t briefed him on your change of plan.”
I laugh, because what else can I do? Quiet went out the window as soon as someone collapsed on the training ground.
“Someone almost died last night. The situation requires… a different approach.”
If this doesn’t pan out, I’m going to be in big trouble, but I’m out of ideas and out of time.
“Did it?” he asks, not doubting my assessment but wanting to hear my reasoning. “Maybe that was the end of it. Could have been a personal grudge against that one competitor.”
I roll my eyes. Not even he believes that.
But I say nothing, watching two wolves circle each other in preparation for sparring.
We’ve reached the main training area now, where wolves are already warming up on the mats. The sound of bodies hitting padding fills the air.