Page 88 of Wild Games

Jamie leans toward Dean. "The crowd's getting restless."

Are they going to compete again?

Maybe a sudden death challenge?

Could they share the pack?

Blake gives Dean a wink, an honest-to-god wink, like he’s having the best day of his life. “No precedent means I can do whatever the hell I like.”

With that, Blake stands, his movement commanding instant attention.

The murmuring stops. Even from here, his presence fills the arena, and every single person hangs on to his every word when he opens his mouth.

"In all my years, in alpha school, in enforcer training…" his voice carries easily across the grounds. "I have never seen a perfect tie. Two wolves, pushed to their absolute limits, neither able to best the other. Equally powerful, equally accomplished, and equally suited for the role, in every way.”

Blake continues, warming to his theme. "Some might see this as a problem. I see it as the Moon Goddess showing us something remarkable, that I suspected when both risked their places in the final to stick up for a friend yesterday. Two alphas, both worthy."

I swallow hard, knowing that someone is me. Either one could have become injured or gotten embroiled in something that cost them their place. But they did it anyway.

Blake turns to both men, and now the amusement is obvious for everyone to see.

Kain, in particular, looks pissed off, failing to see the joke and just wanting to be put out of his misery.

"I cannot pick a winner…" he says with dramatic effect, a murmur of discontent swelling within the crowd. “But I can change the prize.”

I look at Camille, who stares out at the agitated masses, thinking the same thing as me. If someone doesn’t win a pack, things could get very ugly, very fast.

“Or, add to it, I should probably say.”

Dean's head snaps up, and when Blake nods, his eyes widen. "Oh."

"The Anderson pack is the original territory to be won." Blake nods. "But Riverside pack, formerly under Jamie's father's leadership, also requires an alpha after recentdevelopments.”

The crowd buzzes with understanding.

"Two packs." Jamie breathes. "We have two packs to give out."

In every stand, wolves grab onto those beside them in hushed silence, scarcely believing what’s happening.

Eli and Dash look just as gobsmacked, afraid to believe that he could be serious about this.

"And two exceptional alphas to lead them." Blake gestures toward Eli and Kain.

Dean turns to Blake. "You're enjoying this way too much."

"Immensely." Blake agrees without shame before facing the crowd again. "Therefore, I am pleased to announce that both competitors have proven themselves worthy. Eli will takeleadership of the Anderson pack, and Kain will lead the Riverside pack."

For a heartbeat, there’s nothing. Then the arena explodes.

The noise is incredible. Cheers, shouts, and confused questions all blend into a wall of sound. People surge toward the field, wanting to congratulate the new alphas. Others push toward exits, eager to spread the unprecedented news.

Dean puts his head in his hands. “Once it’s not another Games.”

Eli and Kain are quickly swallowed by well-wishers, with Dash ripping through those gathered around to pull his brother into a bear hug, pounding his back in celebration. And Kain is surrounded by wolves already pledging to join his pack.

"This is insane," someone shouts behind us. "Two winners?"

The VIP section empties as people rush to join the chaos below.