Chapter 70: Chapter 70

Jake and I stayed in our place until the signal came. It told us the game had ended. A group of our pack members came running as soon as it sounded. Hugo started looking over Ramses while Matilda handed spare clothes to Jake and me so we could shift back. Finlay and Sam came walking shortly thereafter. Finlay gave me a look and when I nodded to let him know I was unharmed, he walked over to Ramses. Despite Ramses’ objection, he was placed on a gurney and carried off to a waiting car. Our pack got a separate car to ride back. Which was probably wise since we all were tightly strung and wouldn’t have done well packed in a bus with other packs. Back at the cabin, we all waited while Hugo and his assistant took care of Ramses. A letter came from the council, summoning Finlay and me to a meeting at nine the following morning.

When Hugo came downstairs, we all turned to him.

“His right shoulder is dislocated and fractured. There are some torn ligaments and deep gashes. I have set the shoulder and given him healing salves. Now we just need to wait for the healing process to do its part,” he told us.

“Will there be any permanent damages?” I asked.

“There probably will be scars left by the claws. If he takes time and let it heal before using the shoulder, he should make a full recovery. But if he is stubborn and refuses to listen to me, there might be some remaining mobility issues,” he answered. It was clear by the way he said it, he and Ramses had already discussed the topic.

“How long will he need to recover?” Finlay asked.

“It’s hard to say right now. It might be fine in a day. It might require a week. I will know more tomorrow,” Hugo said.

Finlay nodded.

“Is it okay to go up and see him?” I asked.

“Please do, and try to talk some sense to him,” Hugo said. Finlay and I walked upstairs. Ramses made an effort to sit up in his bed.

“Stay down. If it makes you feel better, you can see it as an order,” Finlay told him. Ramses grinned as he relaxed back.

“Hugo has already talked to you,” Ramses determined.

“He has. There is no shame in resting after an injury,” I told him. Both he and Finlay gave me a look, telling me I wasn’t the right person to talk about being a model patient. They had a point.

“I will be ready to join in the next game,” Ramses told Finlay. Finlay nodded.

“We will take it one day at the time. Your first and foremost duty right now is to rest and regain your health,” Finlay told him and placed a hand on his uninjured shoulder.

“Yes, Alpha.”

“The others want to come and see you as well. We will send them up in smaller groups. If you feel too tired, just let us know,” I said.

“Thank you, Beta,” he said. Finlay, Sam and I sat at the kitchen table.

“What do we do about this?” I asked.

“Tell us what happened,” Sam said. So I did, in as much detail as I could remember.

“First step is to talk to the council tomorrow,” Finlay said. Both Sam and I nodded.

“We should also make sure no one walks around on their own. I don’t think anyone is stupid enough to do something in the open. But I would rather be safe than sorry,” Sam said. We all agreed.

“That goes for the games as well. From now on, our strategies will be based on groups. No one is to be left alone,” Finlay added. My phone chirped and I looked at it. It was a message from my dad.

“What’s up?” Finlay asked.

“My dad has called for a family meeting,” I told him. “I will just let him know I can’t make it.”

“Go,” Sam told me.

“There is nothing we can do right now, anyway. Take the call and we will let you know if we need you,” Finlay agreed. I walked up to my room and joined the group call. My mom was in my fathers lap and Elder had his arm around Becky in the other window. I felt an intense longing to have Finlay with me and an unusual bitterness that I couldn’t show my love freely. I plastered on a smile to hide my jealousy.

“Good, everyone is here,” my dad said. “Amie, your mother and I had to hear from your brother you had been injured the other day, and now another of your pack was injured today. You need to tell us these things young lady,” he told me with a stern look. I knew I was in trouble when he used my name.

“Dad, it was just a couple of scratches, nothing worth talking about,” I tried to object and glared at Elder. “And yes, one of my pack members was injured today. I just haven’t had a chance to actually call anyone and talk about it. I’m the Beta of the pack, I need to make sure they are okay.”

“Armeria, I don’t care if it’s just a bee sting, you will tell your father and me if you get hurt,” my mom said. I felt like I was a child again, getting scalded.

“Yes mom.”

“Good. We are happy you are not seriously hurt, pumpkin. How is your pack member?” my dad asked.

“He’s seriously hurt, but he will recover. Thank you for asking.”

“I’m happy he will be okay. But the situation is worrying. Are you in danger?” my dad asked.

“Dad, we are in the middle of the games. All participants are in danger,” Elder said. My dad huffed and looked at us with expecting eyes.

“I don’t know. We are trying to figure it out. But we are taking precautions to stay safe,” I told him.

“Good, good. I have only heard good things about your Alpha, I’m choosing to trust him for now. Elder, son, I shouldn’t need to say this, but just because your sister is in another pack doesn’t mean you shouldn’t keep her safe.”

“Dad!” I objected.

“I know, dad. I’m on it,” Elder calmly told him.

“I’m all grown up. I can take care of myself,” I said.

“Families take care of each other. Don’t fuss,” my mom told me.

“Yes, mom.” I really felt like a child again.

“Are the council taking action?” Dad wanted to know.

“We have filled a formal complaint and they have called for a hearing tomorrow,” I told him. He nodded.

“Stay calm, tell the truth and remember they don’t base their judgment on emotions,” he said.

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“Thanks, dad. We will remember it.” We talked a while longer and then ended the call. I took a moment to reflect on it before heading downstairs again. I realised I was out of practice. I wasn’t used to having my family who would need to know things. My family had become the wolves around me, and since most of them knew the things that happened to me the moment it happened. The need to share information was low. I needed to do better. As I walked out of my room, I tried to mindlink Ramses to see if he needed anything. I couldn’t reach him so I cracked open his door a little. He was sound asleep and next to his bed, Matilda sat on a chair, knitting.

‘Do you need something?’ I mindlinked her.

‘I’m fine. Raina will make dinner tonight,’ she answered. I nodded and closed the door. As Raina had started making dinner, Sam and Finlay had moved out to the sundeck to continue their discussions. I joined them.

“Ramses is asleep and your aunt is watching over him,” I told them as I took a seat.

“Everything okay with your family?” Finlay asked.

“Yeah. I just got scolded for not reporting regularly enough and my dad gave some good advice for the meeting tomorrow.” I told them about my dad’s advice and we discussed different approaches we could take. When we ate dinner, the mood was sombre, but as I saw the plate we had sent up with food, coming down empty, I felt hopeful. If he was well enough to eat, there was hope. After dinner, Finlay took me to the side.

‘Maybe it’s time for you to step to the side. Accept the rejection and you won’t be a participant any longer,’ he suggested in a mindlink.

‘You are lucky I like you, Alpha. Or I would have had to knee you in your private parts for saying something like that. Are you telling me I’m too weak?’ I answered him. Staring daggers.

‘No! Amie, you know I don’t think you are weak. You are one of the strongest wolves I know. But I’m going insane here.

You have already been hurt and things are only looking worse. I can’t do anything to protect you and it’s fucking scaring me to death.’ My anger disappeared as quickly as it had appeared. I stepped up to him and wrapped my arms around his waist, and leaned my head on his shoulder. His arms closed around me.

‘I’m sorry. I get you are worried. I am too. If they are going after someone, it would make sense to go after you. I can’t step out of the games. We may already be one member short, and if I accept the rejection now, it won’t just take me out.

It will take James out as well. Which isn’t fair. And you know it,’ I told him. I could feel his sigh by the rising and falling of his chest.

‘Why do you need to be so fucking perfect? Would it kill you to be selfish for once?’ I smiled.

‘Probably not, but why risk it? Perfect has worked well so far. And I’m not perfect. I have a strong urge to maim and kill at the moment. But this is helping to keep it at bay,’ I confessed.

‘Don’t even talk about it. I’m wondering how I’m going to look at my brother’s Beta tomorrow without ripping his throat out. I think the council would frown on it if I did.’

‘They would,’ I agreed. ‘They’re no fun. But you didn’t give in to those emotions last time we were there, or with James.

So I think you will do good.” He huffed and the puff of air tickled my ear.