Chapter 39 – JAX
JAX
Blake's silence stretches on, his dark eyes moving between the two exhausted competitors, who still lie on the ground. The entire arena holds its breath, every wolf waiting for his final judgment.
Dean's fingers drum against his chair arm, the sound sharp in the quiet.
Blake strokes his chin, but I catch the glimmer of amusement in his eyes. He's enjoying this. The legendary head Alpha isn’t remotely concerned by this unexpected turn of events.
"Fascinating," he murmurs, grinning as he turns to those around him. “I mean, what are the chances, after all we’ve put them through?”
Eli and Kain are slowly helping each other to their feet, back slapping and giving nods of respect, but both still too anxious to hear what Blake has to say to even speak yet.
"Fascinating?" Dean's voice doesn’t hide his shock. "That's what you're going with? The rules don't cover this. There's no precedent."
Jamie leans into him, and he wraps an arm around her shoulders, stroking her long dark hair as he tries to rein in his frustration.
"Exactly." Blake's grin spreads slowly. "No precedent. Do you know what that means?"
Below, Eli and Kain are both looking toward the VIP section with matching expressions of confusion. The crowd starts murmuring, speculation running wild.
A re-run?
A tiebreaker?
A one-on-one fight for the title?
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 recent developments.”
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 take leadership 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.
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 a taste of my mate, and if this is the only time we have left, I’m going to make the most of it.