Page 89 of Wild Games

Dean and Blake are immediately surrounded by other alphas wanting to discuss the decision, while Lynn drags a reluctant Jamie toward the field to officially congratulate the new alphas and make sure nobody needs medical attention before the partying starts.

Camille hugs me with excitement shining brightly in her eyes. “This is perfect.”

It is, actually. I pull her to me, kissing her fiercely, breathing in the joy and light she brings me, letting it soothe my wolf, lifting his mood.

Camille eases back, looking dazed, as she wraps an arm around my neck and leans into my body. “If you’re so untamed, why is all this noise and chaos not bothering your wolf?”

She’s right.

Astonished, I take in the chaos around me and check in with my wolf, who’s perfectly content provided none of the wild celebrations are bothering Camille.

“Come on.” With absolute certainty, I realise in this moment that she’s the answer. My wolf needs her, nothing else. “I have something I want to show you.”

She gives me a sexy smile and tilts her head to look up at me. “Once it’s somewhere private, you can show me whatever you want.”

Growling, I kiss her hard, nipping her bottom lip before pulling back and steering her toward the steps down, eager to get some time alone.

In all the pandemonium, no one notices as Camille and me slip away.

We move against the flow of the crowd, heading for the packhouse rather than the field, where the party is already starting, champagne popping and music blaring. My hand stays on her back, guiding her through the press of bodies. A few people glance our way, but the historic announcement has everyone's attention.

"Did you see Dean's face?" Camille asks once we're clear of the worst crowds, making me laugh.

"If Blake said there’d have to be a rematch, I think Dean might have shifted and challenged Blake himself."

There was no way it was dragging into another day. Dean would have made them fight for it.

"Two winners." She shakes her head. "Blake's right, though. It's perfect. Both packs get strong leadership, and fast."

Behind us, the celebration continues. Someone has started a chant for Eli while another group answers with Kain's name. The sounds follow us as we put much needed distance between ourselves and the arena.

I have no idea what’s coming tomorrow, an assessment, or some kind of interview with the council. But whatever they’re planning for me, I’m not going to let it ruin tonight. I’ve had ataste of my mate, and if this is the only time we have left, I’m going to make the most of it.

40

CAMILLE

As we enter the packhouse, I spot Zane in Dean’s office, bent over the desk, and methodically packing files into boxes. Each movement is perfectly efficient and careful, with colour-coded labels affixed to each file matching a list secured to his clipboard. Typical Zane. Even in the midst of personal tragedy, he’s more organised than a wedding planner.

Jax's hand tightens in mine as I adjust our course away from the basement door. I can feel the tension radiating from him, his wolf prowling just beneath the surface. He doesn’t want to speak to Zane or hear any bad news that might ruin this moment, but I need to know what’s coming next.

Whatever Zane decides could determine our future.

“Do you need any help with anything? I’m so… sorry, Zane. If I’d suspected who it was, obviously, I would have come to you and let you deal with it.”

Jax says nothing, but his expression is one of sympathy. He knows the big male is hurting, even if he knows his father was the bad guy in all of this.

Zane sighs. “Then you would have been doing the wrong thing.” He looks me straight in the eye. “You did the right thing. You too, Jax.”

Zane rests his hands flat on the desk as he stares out the window. "I was hoping to speak with you both before I left." When he turns back to face us, his expression is serious, borderline grim. “You should hear it from the horse's mouth, since I consider you to be a friend.”

My stomach clenches. Here it comes.

"I'll be making my report to the council when I return." Zane closes a box then reaches for another and scrawls a series of numbers and letters on it, referencing the case it relates to. His movements remain steady, giving nothing away. "About the incidents here. About your part in them, and your wolf."

Jax goes completely still beside me.

So, I squeeze his hand harder, anchoring us both.