Page 71 of Wild Games

31

CAMILLE

The gathering of wolves thrums with nervous energy. A mixture of humans and shifted animals mill around in small groups, their excitement sharper than usual, edged with anticipation. Normally, pack runs are members only. To run in such large numbers, with wolf shifters from all over, is both a rare and exhilarating prospect.

News of yesterday’s confrontation has spread, and I catch the sideways glances, and the whispered conversations that stop when I pass. This isn’t just a pack. This is a gathering of the biggest and best wolves from all around, competitive and eager to show off.

There are a lot of big egos and powerful pheromones in the air.

Jax stands beside me, rigid as stone. His jaw hasn’t unclenched since we left my cabin. I can feel the effort it’s taking him to be here, to stand among the pack and strangers alike. His hands are shoved deep into his pockets, and his brows are drawn down low over his eyes, frowning at everything he sees.

“Deep breaths,” I murmur, low enough that only he can hear.

He tries, chest expanding with the effort, but the exhale comes out shaky. The full moon overhead is amplifying every emotion, making it hard to remain calm.

“Well, well.” Raven’s voice cuts through the noise of the crowd as he approaches, trying to look friendly and relaxed, but he’s anything but. “I’m surprised you showed up, Jax. I thought you’d be locked in your basement, preparing for us to drag you off for assessment after the final tomorrow.”

I’m amazed that he has the nerve to provoke Jax again when he knows how much stronger Jax is, but the presence of so many people is bolstering his confidence. He thinks Jax won’t do anything with so many witnesses around, or else he’s banking on the other wolves being able to step in and stop him.

If you ask me, Raven’s confidence is misplaced. If Jax was happy to attack him in front of Zane, a little thing like witnesses won’t stop him.

“You won’t be dragging me anywhere, at least not on your own, anyway.” Jax steps forward. “Or do I need to remind your wolf where he sits in the pecking order again?”

Raven narrows his eyes at Jax but speaks to me. “This is the man you want, Camille? You deserve so much better.”

He shakes his head sadly, like he feels sorry for me, but all it does is galvanise my resolve to protect Jax.

“Raven.” I inch between them, keeping my voice neutral and professional. “Just go and do your thing, and we’ll do ours.”

Raven’s eyes find mine now, pleading with me to see sense. The boy I fell for is still in there, but he’s harder now, more calculating. I don’t trust him now.

“Don’t you remember all the fun we had? Don’t you miss that too? All you’ll have with him is a lifetime of wondering when he’s going to lose his temper next.”

His gaze travels to my chest. “You took off my chain. Did he ask you to?” His pleading eyes hold mine. “You kept it all these years for a reason.”

Jax growls a warning as Raven dares take another step closer to me, but I gesture for him to stop, to stand down and let me handle this.

“I should have taken it off the second you chose someone else.”

Raven shakes his head. “My fatherchose someone else, and I was too young to fight him. But now… seeing how brave you are, how smart you are… I should have fought harder for you.”

Beside me, I can tell it’s taking every ounce of Jax’s strength not to go after Raven. If you ask me, it’s a feat worthy of some appreciation; few wolves that have full control over their wolves could resist ripping his head off.

“No. Because Jax is my mate. I wasmeantto find him. And you were meant… I don’t know, Raven, to do what you want. Just far away from me.”

Maybe he was always like this, or maybe he’s changed. But finding my mate has certainly lifted the rose-tinted glasses from my eyes. Raven is a self-absorbed, selfish prick. How was I so blind?

Was I more hurt by the idea of being rejected than by being rejectedby him?

“The full moon changes things,” he says adamantly. “You’re different now. This Camille could be Luna.” His eyes slide over me, possessive and familiar, then he scowls at Jax. “I can give you a great life.”

“What? A lifetime of looking over my shoulder until a better, prettier Luna candidate comes along? No thanks.”

Jax’s hands rest on my hips as he uses himself to ground me. His chin rests on the top of my head, and he stands behind me, supporting me, with his eyes still fixed on Raven. Everyonearound us is watching. There’s no way anyone could miss what we are to each other now.

They watch with a mixture of curiosity, joy and sympathy, depending on what they know of Jax.

“I should have picked you.”