Page 85 of Wild Games
"Impressive setup," Blake comments. "Fighting first?"
Dean grunts agreement, though he looks like he'd rather be anywhere else. "One against five, then out on the run, with clues and challenges to complete, and then back through the obstacle course to the finish line. Hopefully, without any more drama."
In the preparation area, I spot Kain and Eli doing final stretches. They're focused, ignoring the crowd and each other. Kain's movements are economical and precise. Eli is looser, bouncing on his feet, energy barely contained. Ryan should have been there, but in all honesty, he wasn’t good enough to beat either of these wolves. He’s stronger than most, but Kain especially, has something about him that you just know he’s on another level.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Blake’s voice booms across the grounds. "Welcome to the final challenge of the Alpha Games."
The crowd's roar is deafening. My wolf wants to flee from the noise and the outpouring of adrenaline-fueled aggression, but Camille's hand finds mine, squeezing gently.
"Our finalists have proven themselves through multiple challenges, both on the course and off it," Blake continues. "Today's final test will determine who has what it takes to lead their own pack and build a legacy for their family to follow for generations."
He gestures to the course. "Three phases. First, combat trials. Each finalist will face three opponents in wolf form, demonstrating fighting prowess and strategic thinking.”
More volunteers appear, these ones bigger, clearly chosen for their fighting ability.
“Second, our competitors must navigate the obstacle course while under attack from volunteer wolves. They must prove that they can think and move under pressure."
Several wolves step forward, all volunteers from various packs. They'll harry and challenge without causing serious injury.
"Finally, a race through difficult terrain while solving clues that will lead to keys, all of which they must have when they cross the finish line. This tests endurance, intelligence, and determination."
The crowd buzzes with anticipation.
"Competitors, take your positions."
Kain and Eli move to the starting line. They exchange a brief look, maybe for good luck, or maybe just sizing each other up. Then their focus turns entirely to the course ahead. They might be friends off the course, but that will be put aside until one of them crosses the finish line.
"This is it," Jamie murmurs. "After everything, it comes down to this."
Blake leans forward slightly, interest sharpening his features. "They’re both strong candidates. This should be close."
The starting horn blares with each man positioned in a circle, surrounded by shifted wolves.
Camille winces. “Nobody is escaping those rings completely unscathed.”
And she’s right. The combat trials are brutal. Each competitor faces three opponents at a time, with more fightscoming in quick succession, and the finalists barely getting time to breathe between matches.
Kain powers through with raw strength, taking hits but giving worse. His style is direct and aggressive; he’s a battering ram in wolf form. When his first opponent tries to circle him, Kain charges straight through, using his size advantage to knock the smaller wolf off balance.
Eli uses perfect technique to compensate for his slightly smaller size. Where Kain bulldozes, Eli dances around the ring, staying just out of reach, and redirects. He lets opponents overcommit, then uses their momentum against them. His first challenger lunges too eagerly and finds himself flipped onto his back before he knows what’s happened.
"Beautiful form," Blake comments as Eli executes a perfect shoulder throw on his second opponent.
The crowd gasps when Kain takes a particularly hard hit from his second opponent, claws raking across his flank. But he comes up snarling, blood matting his fur, and drives his attacker out of the circle with sheer determination. The wounded wolf yields immediately.
"That's going to sting." Jamie winces as she watches Kain get ready for the next attack.
The third opponents are the strongest, saved for last when the competitors are already tired.
Eli faces a massive grey wolf, easily matching him for size. They clash in the centre of the circle, neither giving ground. The impact of their collision makes several spectators step back.
Kain draws a lean, scarred fighter who moves like smoke. They dance around each other, testing, feinting. When they finally engage, it's almost too fast to follow. Just a blur of teeth and claws and perfectly timed counters.
By the third opponent, both competitors are showing wear. Fur mats with sweat and dirt, and movements just a fractionslower. Eli's breathing is laboured, and his sides heave. Kain favours his left hind leg slightly. But neither gives ground.
When the final combat volunteers yield to each of them, they're still dead even, with only seconds between the ends of the fights. The crowd roars approval, energized by the display of skill and endurance.
Both men explode into motion, hitting the first obstacle at full speed within a few yards of each other.