Page 86 of Wild Games

Kain vaults the wall with raw power, while Eli finds a foothold and flows over like water.

The volunteer wolves move in immediately, trying to slow them down. One lunges at Kain, who basically bulldozes through. Eli dodges his attackers, using their momentum against them, and I catch his smirk when they run into each other.

"Smart," Blake comments as Eli causes the two volunteers to collide.

They're neck and neck approaching the rope climb, neither giving an inch. The crowd's cheers grow louder as people already start picking favourites and get more and more vocal about their desired outcome.

Camille's hand tightens on mine as we watch. Through our touch, I feel her excitement. The almost-bond between us hums with warmth, the threads already feeling stronger than this morning after connecting so powerfully last night.

It’s addictive. I want to feel it all, know every emotion, every thought.

Soon, I promise, forcing myself to refocus on the final and not how soft Camille’s skin is as I rub circles on the back of her hand with my thumb.

Below, Eli and Kain hit the water obstacle at the same time, both diving in without hesitation.

This is what the Games are supposed to be about: stiff but fair competition to showcase strength and determination. Not the mess of politics and murder we've waded through for the past few weeks.

"Oh, they're well matched." Nathan observes. "This could go either way."

Maya nods. "My money’s on Kain, though. There’s something about him. I bet he’s just too stubborn to lose.”

The volunteer wolves increase their attacks as both competitors near the end of the obstacle course. Neither Kain nor Eli slows down, powering through with determination that would make any Alpha proud. Eli has a scrape across his eye, and blood is dripping down his temple and cheek, but he doesn’t even pause to wipe it off.

Every second will count.

38

CAMILLE

Eli has the slimmest of leads as they finish the course and snatch the first clues from the waiting course marshals. Even from here, I can see the exhaustion in their faces, but with one last look at each other, they turn and take off into the forest, heading in different directions, without hesitation.

"This is where it gets interesting," Nathan says. "They can’t see how fast the other person is completing their course, and the clues aren’t in the same order. They have to find them, solve them, and follow the right path while trying not to let the idea that the other person could be miles ahead mess with their mind. Brains and brawn."

We can't see much of this phase, only catch glimpses as they pass through clearings. The large viewing screens show occasional flashes, Eli pawing at a hollow log to retrieve a clue, and Kain studying symbols carved into a tree. At various stages, you think one is clearly ahead, but then gets stuck on a more complex, slower challenge, then the momentum seems to swing the other direction.

Mostly, we wait with baited breath, the crowd's energy building with each passing minute. Until they enter the clearingfrom the far side, the way back from the final challenge, there’s no way of knowing who’s winning.

Maya cranes her neck to see the latest update. The screens show both competitors in the same frame, each focused on their own puzzle, ignoring the other’s presence close by, but aware.

The minutes stretch. The sun beats down on the arena, and vendors do swift business selling cold drinks, but instead of the crowd growing bored, the tension is building.

Dean's hands grip the arms of his chair, knuckles white. Every time we catch a glimpse of the competitors still running even, his jaw tightens further. Jamie places her hand over one of his, trying to ease the tension, but he doesn't relax.

"They’re coming," someone calls out as the screen shows both men at what appears to be a river crossing. Both competitors study the water intently, figuring out the fastest way across. Eli is first to take the plunge, followed quickly by Kain.

"Still even," Blake murmurs, and there's something like delight in his voice, while Dean’s face drains of colour, and he shakes his head in disbelief.

“It’s still a long run back.” Jamie assures him, but she turns to look at Wyatt, whose wide eyes give away nothing.

The forest portion is the longest, designed just as much to test endurance and agility under pressure as it does intelligence. We see flashes of them navigating rough terrain, scaling a rocky outcrop, wading through a marsh, and ducking through dense undergrowth. Both are flagging now, the exhaustion clear in every movement.

But neither slows.

"Final check for all the keys." Callum's voice carries across the arena. "Both competitors are approaching the last checkpoint."

The crowd presses forward, everyone wanting to see the outcome. On the screen, Eli and Kain stand before a massive oaktree, both breathing hard and emptying their pockets of keys, depositing them all into a small box, then, as if synchronized, they both turn and sprint in the same direction.

"Come on, Kain," someone shouts.