Chapter 85: Chapter 85

I was glad I had chosen to just wear the oversized t-shirt. It was easy enough to get off me. Then I paused. I had the tight wrapping around my ribs and I didn’t know what to do.

‘Hugo, I was about to shower, but what do I do with the bandages?” I asked.

‘Beta Amie, the best thing is if you could avoid to shower. Just wash yourself with a washcloth. If you really need to shower, remove the bandage and let me know. I will put them back on once you are done,’ he told me.

‘I will just wash then. Thank you.’ I walked into the bathroom and did my best to wash up without getting the wrapping wet. Next step was an expedition to find something to wear. I had mostly packed regular t-shirts and tank tops. It seemed logical at the time. I finally found the summer dress Medow had insisted I bring. It was flowy with thin spaghetti straps.

Just what I needed. I had to thank Medow when we get back.

‘I’m all done,’ Finlay mindlinked. I smiled and walked over to his room. He walked up to me and stood so close I could see the different hues of blue in his eyes. But he didn’t reach for me, or touch me in any way. ‘I don’t want to hurt you,’

he told me. I smiled and took his hands and wrapped his arms around me. Then I wrapped my arms around him. Gently, to make sure I didn’t worsen an injury. I sighed and relaxed. Finlay tilted his head and rested his cheek on top of my head.

‘I hated watching you fight,’ I told him.

‘You are supposed to tell me how strong and impressive I was,’ he pointed out. I giggled.

‘You were both. I still hated it.’

‘Yeah, it has been a long time since I felt as helpless as when I had to watch you get hurt,’ he said.

‘We won’t be doing this again anytime soon.’

‘No. We have other things to do,’ he agreed.

‘Can you believe it’s finally over? No more games.’

‘We made it to the end.’

‘And in two days we will know the results,’ I said.

‘We will have some time to heal and decompress before the results and before heading home,’ Finlay told me.

‘My brother will help me get a meeting with James.’

‘And if James refuses?’ he asked.

‘Then Becky will let me know when he is out and about and I will just have to do it in public. I’m really hoping it won’t come to that. My first rejection was public, and I hated it. I would like my second one to be private,’ I told him.

‘It’s still your first one,’ he reminded me.

‘Yeah, but it feels like two.’

‘You are still okay with it?’ he asked.

‘I am. I’m looking forward to it. It feels horrible to say it, but I do.’

“Hey. Don’t say that. It’s not horrible of you. This thing has been dragged out far beyond what is reasonable. You have every right to feel you want it over with.’

‘How bad are your injuries?’ I asked. ‘And be honest.’

‘The kick to my side cracked a rib, he slashed my arm and then there are some small bruises from all the other fights. I should be back to normal later tonight,’ he told me.

‘Good.’

‘How about a nap?’ he asked.

‘I need to call my mother. She will kill me when she finds out what the last game was and I don’t check in.’ I explained.

‘Good thinking. Come along,’ he said and led me over to the bed. He was gentle as he lifted me up and placed me in the middle of it. He got comfortable against the headboard and patted the space between his legs. I sat down and leaned my back against his chest as he wrapped his strong arms around me. I felt myself relax into him. I took out my phone and dialled my mother.

“Armeria, I’m so happy you called, your brother is talking to your dad,” mom said.

“Hi, mom. Good. He was amazing today, he won his part of the game,” I told her.

“Your dad told me what the final game was. The council must have become senile. Making you fight each other like savages. I thought we left those days behind us,” she said. I could feel Finlay holding back his laughter at my mom’s indignity.

“Yeah, definitely not my favorite part,” I agreed.

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“Did you get hurt? Elder didn’t answer when your dad asked.”

“A little,” I told her. Finlay nudged me. “I got a couple of broken ribs,” I confessed and heard my mother draw in a sharp breath. “But our healer says I will be fine by tomorrow.”

“You better be or you will give me the name of the wolf who did it to you and I will find them and show them what happens if you hurt one of my kids,” my mom growled.

‘I see where you get your temper from,’ Finlay mindlinked me.

‘I don’t have a temper,’ I told him.

“I’ll be fine mom. There are no more games, so I can rest up and have some fun. The formal dinner is tomorrow.”

“Oh, I had almost forgotten about that. It was always my favourite part. Have you got a dress?” she asked.

“I do. It’s an emerald green one with a full-length skirt and off-shoulder sleeves. You would love it. I’ll make sure to snap some pictures when I’m all dressed up,” I told her.

“Sounds wonderful. You will look amazing no matter what you wear,” she told me.

‘She is right,’ Finlay mindlinked me and kissed my shoulder.

“Do you have a date?” my mom wanted to know. I could practically hear her wiggling her eyebrows.

“I do,” I said. “It’s not James,” I added to make sure I didn’t get her hopes up.

“I guessed as much. I have heard about his little trick with Cindy and him refusing to set a meeting with you. I’m not particularly happy with him, but he is my Alpha. He may be a good alpha, but he is, and always has been, a horrible mate.”

There was a pause.

“Mom?” I asked.

“I have something to ask. I don’t like it, but I promised I would,” she told me and she really didn’t sound happy about it.

“Sure. You can ask me anything,” I said.

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“The former Alpha and Gamma couples would like the chance to talk to you. They asked me to see if you would be willing to set up a meeting call with them. Your dad and I would be in the meeting as well, and if you want to bring someone that is fine as well. Like your Alpha,” she told me. The question threw me for a loop. They had all been my aunts and uncles growing up. Two extra sets of parents for Elder and me. But it had changed. Maybe it was time to mend the bonds, or at least catch up with them. I didn’t miss how nonchalantly my mom had suggested Finlay to be my support, as if anything else was just not enough.

“Can I think about it?” I asked.

“Of course you can. You can say no as well. Me and your dad are happy to tell them to go where the sun doesn’t shine if that is what you want,” she told me and I heard her smile. I laughed.

“That won’t be necessary. I just want to get back home and have all this situation with James over with before I commit to it,” I told her.

“Good call. The rejection may change things,” my mom agreed.

“Is that pumpkin? Put her on speaker,” I heard my dad in the background. “Hi, pumpkin.” he said as mom put her phone on speaker.

“Hi dad. How are things?” I asked.

“Never mind me. How about you? Elder told me about the game and that you ended up hurt.”

“Just a little. I had to take a hit to get out of a bad situation. Nothing to worry about.” He grumbled something I couldn’t hear.

“We will let you get some rest. Thank you for calling us, Armeria. Take care of yourself, have fun tomorrow and say hi to your Alpha and congratulate him on his victory from us,” my mom said.

“Thank you, mom. I will. I’ll call you after I have talked to James.” We hung up and I leaned my head on Finlays shoulder.

“Mom says hi,” I told him. He chuckled.

“I think your mom likes me,” he said, sounding proud.

“I think so too. My dad does as well,” I agreed.

“Will you agree to talk to the others?” he asked.

“I think so. If they are still interested after I reject their Alpha. Will you be there if I do?” I asked.

“Nothing could stop me. Now it’s time for a nap, just relax and drift off. You will feel better by the time Matilda wakes us up for dinner,” he told me. I knew he was rig