Chapter 37 – JAX
JAX
The competition grounds sprawl out before us, transformed from simple training fields only a few months ago, and now, into an elaborate arena.
Temporary stands rise on three sides, packed with wolves from dozens of packs.
The excited chatter of hundreds creates a constant hum that makes my wolf pace restlessly.
"This way." Dean gestures toward the VIP section, a raised platform with the best view of the course. These are the hottest tickets in town. Where the early rounds were attended by friends and family, and had a fun, relaxed atmosphere, today’s vibe is far more intense.
There’s a lot on the line. Winning a pack is serious business.
I follow Dean and Camille up the stairs, hyperaware of every eye that tracks our movement.
My hand finds the small of Camille's back, needing the contact to stay grounded and to stake my claim while she remains unmarked.
Through our skin, I feel her steady calm flowing into me, but still, any wandering pair of eyes that looks her way are met with a flash of anger from my wolf.
He’s taking protecting his mate very seriously.
The VIP section is already filling. As we file along the front row, I glance over the rows behind us, happy to see them filled with our pack and allies from our immediate neighbours.
Blake Steel sits in the centre, his massive frame making even the reinforced chair look small. He nods as we approach, dark eyes watching closely as we take our seats.
"Dean." Blake greets, smothering a smile when Dean just grunts in response, then his gaze shifts to me. "Jax. Heard you've had an eventful few days."
I don't know how to respond to that, but Camille saves me. "Eventful is one word for it."
“Well, we’re grateful you were able to root out the cheaters. I know it didn’t come without cost, so I appreciate your service.” Blake’s words catch me off guard. We both nod, then he turns back to the field, rubbing his hands together, the conversation about me killing an alpha, apparently over.
To be blunt, he doesn’t seem too cut up about it.
“Just in case you’re already thinking about doing this again for Jamie’s pack, it’s not happening. Go and talk to Jones. Anyone. Just not me.” Dean is deadly serious. “This is almost enough for me to close the borders again.
Blake laughs, despite the fact that Dean is deathly serious. “Relax. I don’t think we’ll be doing another one of these for a while.”
When Dean lets out a relieved exhale, Jamie pats his knee, and they both relax a little.
My sister Maya waves from her seat beside Nathan, her mate. I can tell she’s itching to pounce on Camille and ask her a million questions, but I'm grateful she’s keeping her excitement in check and isn’t making this weird.
Hopefully, there’ll be lots of time for them to get to know each other better.
We take our seats, Camille beside me, and next to us are Dean and Jamie, while Wyatt and his mate occupy the row behind us, the massive wolf giving me a brief nod when I turn and shake his hand.
Below us, the competition grounds have been transformed into three distinct sections.
The first is an obstacle course filled with walls, ropes, water hazards, and platforms. The second is a cleared circle marked for combat.
And the third stretches out into the forest, flags visibly marking some kind of trail.
"Impressive setup," Blake comments. "Fighting first?"
Dean grunts agreement, though he looks like he'd rather be anywhere else. "One against five, then out on the run, with clues and challenges to complete, and then back through the obstacle course to the finish line. Hopefully, without any more drama."
In the preparation area, I spot Kain and Eli doing final stretches.
They're focused, ignoring the crowd and each other. Kain's movements are economical and precise. Eli is looser, bouncing on his feet, energy barely contained. Ryan should have been there, but in all honesty, he wasn’t good enough to beat either of these wolves. He’s stronger than most, but Kain especially, has something about him that you just know he’s on another level.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Blake’s voice booms across the grounds. "Welcome to the final challenge of the Alpha Games."
The crowd's roar is deafening. My wolf wants to flee from the noise and the outpouring of adrenaline-fueled aggression, but Camille's hand finds mine, squeezing gently.
"Our finalists have proven themselves through multiple challenges, both on the course and off it," Blake continues. "Today's final test will determine who has what it takes to lead their own pack and build a legacy for their family to follow for generations."
He gestures to the course. "Three phases. First, combat trials. Each finalist will face three opponents in wolf form, demonstrating fighting prowess and strategic thinking.”
More volunteers appear, these ones bigger, clearly chosen for their fighting ability.
“Second, our competitors must navigate the obstacle course while under attack from volunteer wolves. They must prove that they can think and move under pressure."
Several wolves step forward, all volunteers from various packs. They'll harry and challenge without causing serious injury.
"Finally, a race through difficult terrain while solving clues that will lead to keys, all of which they must have when they cross the finish line. This tests endurance, intelligence, and determination."
The crowd buzzes with anticipation.
"Competitors, take your positions."
Kain and Eli move to the starting line. They exchange a brief look, maybe for good luck, or maybe just sizing each other up. Then their focus turns entirely to the course ahead. They might be friends off the course, but that will be put aside until one of them crosses the finish line.
"This is it," Jamie murmurs. "After everything, it comes down to this."
Blake leans forward slightly, interest sharpening his features. "They’re both strong candidates. This should be close."
The starting horn blares with each man positioned in a circle, surrounded by shifted wolves.
Camille winces. “Nobody is escaping those rings completely unscathed.”
And she’s right. The combat trials are brutal. Each competitor faces three opponents at a time, with more fights coming in quick succession, and the finalists barely getting time to breathe between matches.
Kain powers through with raw strength, taking hits but giving worse. His style is direct and aggressive; he’s a battering ram in wolf form. When his first opponent tries to circle him, Kain charges straight through, using his size advantage to knock the smaller wolf off balance.
Eli uses perfect technique to compensate for his slightly smaller size.
Where Kain bulldozes, Eli dances around the ring, staying just out of reach, and redirects.
He lets opponents overcommit, then uses their momentum against them.
His first challenger lunges too eagerly and finds himself flipped onto his back before he knows what’s happened.
"Beautiful form," Blake comments as Eli executes a perfect shoulder throw on his second opponent.
The crowd gasps when Kain takes a particularly hard hit from his second opponent, claws raking across his flank. But he comes up snarling, blood matting his fur, and drives his attacker out of the circle with sheer determination. The wounded wolf yields immediately.
"That's going to sting." Jamie winces as she watches Kain get ready for the next attack.
The third opponents are the strongest, saved for last when the competitors are already tired.
Eli faces a massive grey wolf, easily matching him for size. They clash in the centre of the circle, neither giving ground. The impact of their collision makes several spectators step back.
Kain draws a lean, scarred fighter who moves like smoke. They dance around each other, testing, feinting. When they finally engage, it's almost too fast to follow. Just a blur of teeth and claws and perfectly timed counters.
By the third opponent, both competitors are showing wear. Fur mats with sweat and dirt, and movements just a fraction slower. Eli's breathing is laboured, and his sides heave. Kain favours his left hind leg slightly. But neither gives ground.
When the final combat volunteers yield to each of them, they're still dead even, with only seconds between the ends of the fights. The crowd roars approval, energized by the display of skill and endurance.
Both men explode into motion, hitting the first obstacle at full speed within a few yards of each other.
Kain vaults the wall with raw power, while Eli finds a foothold and flows over like water.
The volunteer wolves move in immediately, trying to slow them down. One lunges at Kain, who basically bulldozes through. Eli dodges his attackers, using their momentum against them, and I catch his smirk when they run into each other.
"Smart," Blake comments as Eli causes the two volunteers to collide.
They're neck and neck approaching the rope climb, neither giving an inch. The crowd's cheers grow louder as people already start picking favourites and get more and more vocal about their desired outcome.
Camille's hand tightens on mine as we watch. Through our touch, I feel her excitement. The almost-bond between us hums with warmth, the threads already feeling stronger than this morning after connecting so powerfully last night.
It’s addictive. I want to feel it all, know every emotion, every thought.
Soon, I promise, forcing myself to refocus on the final and not how soft Camille’s skin is as I rub circles on the back of her hand with my thumb.
Below, Eli and Kain hit the water obstacle at the same time, both diving in without hesitation.
This is what the Games are supposed to be about: stiff but fair competition to showcase strength and determination. Not the mess of politics and murder we've waded through for the past few weeks.
"Oh, they're well matched." Nathan observes. "This could go either way."
Maya nods. "My money’s on Kain, though. There’s something about him. I bet he’s just too stubborn to lose.”
The volunteer wolves increase their attacks as both competitors near the end of the obstacle course.
Neither Kain nor Eli slows down, powering through with determination that would make any Alpha proud.
Eli has a scrape across his eye, and blood is dripping down his temple and cheek, but he doesn’t even pause to wipe it off.
Every second will count.