#Chapter 16 Capture the Flag
Helen POV
Day of the Wolfen Games
Justin never answered his father’s question about whether or not he would win the Wolfen Games for Lone Wolf Pack, but the whispers among the contestants made it clear they thought the last Lycan would win.
I didn’t know whether to be proud everyone was giving my mate a wide berth or worried because they were avoiding him out of fear.
“You could try to stop glaring at people,” I said quietly, trying to keep my voice low enough for only Justin to hear
- me.
Justin raised a brow at me, looking down into my eyes without saying anything in response; I realized he didn’t know he was glaring. His expression became closed off. I worried I had upset him even more when all I was trying to do was make things easier for us both.
Leaning over, I tugged on his arm so he would stoop enough to press my lips to his ear, “People are afraid of you. They don’t know if you’re dangerous and they’re worried how you’ll compete.”
Justin studied my face silently. I blushed under his gaze though I didn’t know why since he’d already known me intimately. I just couldn’t figure out what he was looking for in me.
“Justin?” I asked.
“They should be afraid,” he replied, standing straight once more and turning his attention away from me to the Games Master who stood on the stage beside us.
“Attention all Wolfen Games participants! Welcome to Lone Wolf Estate! We are proud to be hosting the Games again here on our Alpha King’s lands. If you will please assemble before the stage, we will detail the rules for the first portion of our competition,” said the Games Master.
I felt my heart beat faster in response to the thrill of the upcoming Games. I had never been allowed to participate in anything with other wolves since I had been a child due to my tricolor coat.
The Games Master had a loud voice which carried easily through the crowd. Wolves had better senses than humans so we didn’t need him to use a microphone or any other silly electronics. I was honestly surprised by how many people had cell phones or tablets out to record the start of the Games.
As soon as everyone seemed to be in place, the Games Master said, “Every participant will be assigned an entrance into the Flag Forest. This game is simply called Capture the Flag with the sole goal for everyone being to get a flag and return with it to base to secure your place in the second portion of the Wolfen Games.”
I had seen the Games flags before. Participants were allowed to take their flag home as a souvenir of their competition. My sister Diana had three on her wall at home.
The Games Master explained, “Only half of you will earn a flag. If you do not find a flag first, you have the option to take a flag from a fellow competitor. Combat can only be done in your wolf form. You may run the course in any form you choose.
I hadn’t known the rules, but I had figured there wouldn’t be enough flags for everyone. What would be the point of the contest if everyone could win?
The final rules of the game surprised me.
“The goal of this portion of the contest is to find the fastest and most resourceful among our contestants. No one
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#Chapter 16 Capture the Flag
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is to deliver any permanent injuries to another contestant of to attempt combat to the death. Any contestant who is too aggressive will be disqualified and removed with a permanent ban from all future Wolfen Games. Do you all understand? Say ‘yes, Master” if you agree and wish to continue,” the Games Master finished.
A chorus of “Yes, Master!” echoed around me and I quickly said the pledge myself which Justin echoed in a low rumble at my side though he didn’t add ‘Master‘ to his agreement.
I wasn’t surprised by his refusal to use the word. I just worried others would have heard him and would report him for being disobedient.
All around us were other competitors, but I just saw them as potential enemies or spies for his father the Alpha King. How had the Alpha King known we had arrived so quickly? He was there before Justin even had a chance to defend himself or start a fight.
“Everyone please report to your entrance now! When the horn sounds, you may enter the Flag Forest!”
After the Games Master issued his command, I gave Justin a brief hug from the side -my arm wrapped as far around his waist as I could- then jogged to my marked entrance.
I was surprised to see Donna there. We were dressed alike in the same competitor uniform; I thought she made the shorts and singlet top look much more sophisticated than me.
“Donna!” I exclaimed and she raced over to me to clasp me in a hug. Her warmth was inviting while her scent was fresh and I returned her embrace gratefully. 3
People didn’t greet me with warmth. I was glad for a friendly face and welcome.
“I told you the wedding dress was a good idea,” Donna laughed, pushing my shoulder playfully, “So you are the mate for our infamous Last Lycan? How is Prince Justin?”
I didn’t know how to answer her. Justin and I were still virtual strangers to one another. We’d fallen into the grips of my heat together twice; Justin had been kind to me in some ways while remaining very distant at the same time.
“He’s complicated,” I decided to say.
Donna shook her head at me, smiling sharply, “I wish I was burdened with his kind of complication.” I’m with a Beta to the Alpha King now. He took care of me after your Lycan broke my arm the night we were tributes.”
The horn sounded and we launched off into a run through our entrance. Donna kept pace with me as we both ran in human form. We were left behind by those who’d decided to run for the flags as wolves.
I lost track of the path we took while we raced, but Donna saw a flag ahead and pointed to it with an excited wave
of her hand.
“Look! A flag!” she cried.
We both took off really running for the flag, laughing as we went along. I felt free as I raced at her side. I was going to tell Donna she could have this flag when I noticed she wasn’t running beside me any longer.
Stopping, I turned and saw Donna was down on her side. She was holding her ankle. I realized she must have tripped somehow.
“Donna!” I cried, “Are you hurt? I can help you—” 1
“No,” Donna said quickly, interrupting me as she waved at me to go on, “I’m fine! Go get the flag before someone else comes along. Hide it so no one takes it from you. I’ll shift and heal then find my own flag.”
I looked away from her to see if anyone was coming who could be of help. No one seemed to be around. I was going to tell her I didn’t feel right taking the flag first except when I turned to speak to her again—she was gone!
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“Donna?” I asked with no answer coming in the still forest
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I decided she must have shifted and taken off so I went for the flag, taking it off its pole to tuck into my uniform shorts. I pulled my top over it to hide it and then I stepped back, closer to the flag, only for the ground to give way beneath my foot.
Tumbling into a shallow pit, I yelped but tried to keep it quiet so I wouldn’t attract attention. The last thing I needed was to get jumped by Games players when I wasn’t sure if I was hurt or not.
My breath had been knocked out of me, but I realized I wasn’t injured after a quick self–check. I moved to my knees only to see four wolves racing at me from different directions, all with their fangs bared, None of them had on any indications they were part of the Wolfen Games.
These weren’t competitors! This was a trap! Suddenly, I realized that I had only told Donna my true identity that night and she was the one that ratted me out! She betrayed me and set this trap!
As the snarling wolves moved to pounce on me, I did the only thing I could think to do and screamed, “Justin!”
An eerie howl echoed through the forest in response.
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