by Vivian Arend
TJ continued to stare. “How can you be so calm when chances are I’m about to screw this up for us like I always—”
“Enough.” Erik let his power envelop the young man he towered over. “I don’t let anyone talk shit about you, not even you. Do your best. That’s all any of us ask. If you do have an accident then fix it the best way you can.”
The panic in TJ’s eyes faded slightly.
A piercing whistle broke the air, and the team gathered around Erik.
“Okay, there’s the five-minute warning. Those are prospector canoes—flat bottomed, so they’re nice and stable. I want Jared in front, TJ and Maggie side by side in the middle. I’ll take the stern and steer us. What do you think about going for the extra buoys? Yes or no?”
TJ flicked a glance at the team. “I’m just going to paddle and keep my ass in the seat. I’ll do whatever you decide.”
Maggie chewed on her lip. “Are the buoys far out of our path?”
Erik shook his head. “Looks like we can pretty much stick to the current. We’ll want to do that anyway to make the best time. The fastest route down the river is not a straight line. When we get close to the rocks, we’ll have to stay to the right.” He looked at Maggie. “Did you ever see the rapids when you lived in Whitehorse?”
“If I did, it was a long time ago.”
“There are four towers of granite that divide the river into five parts. The far right is the best one to go through, but the main thing is to avoid the towers themselves, and the far-left channels. There are sweepers off the left, and some nasty undercurrents over there. When we get close, just listen to my instructions. We’ll use the first few minutes in the canoe to practice our strokes.”
“What about the symbols?” Jared jiggled on the spot as he stood waiting.
“Maggie, I want you to try to memorize them. Describe them out loud when you see them and we’ll all try to help remember, but I don’t want all four of us staring at the damn things or we’ll be in the drink for sure.”
The final warning whistle blew and there was no more time for discussion. The gun went off and they were away, racing over the grass to grab paddles. They sprinted to the side of the canoe, manhandling it down to the water’s edge. Jared hopped in, TJ fell in and Maggie gracefully jumped over the side as he pushed them out into the current.
“I hate wet socks.” Jared complained from the front of the canoe.
Maggie peeked at his feet. “You’re not wearing socks.”
Erik laughed. “Okay. Practice time. Everyone draw on the right.”
They practiced maneuvering the canoe until Erik felt they should at least survive the trip. The rest of the competitors had settled into a pattern around them. There were two canoes alone in the lead, a group of six or seven close around the Granite Lake team, and another larger pack behind them.
“Buoy approaching on the right,” Jared shouted.
Erik checked the river. “We’ll try for this one, then we need to slip to the left more.”
Three other canoes all veered the same direction, and suddenly the river grew crowded. Erik angled their craft, but it was too late. One canoe rammed them in the bow, another slammed the opposite side.
“Shit.” TJ’s paddle went flying. He managed to grab the seat, the boat rocking as he fought to regain his balance.
Erik ruddered hard, even as Maggie’s quiet voice rose over the shouts of the other teams. “I saw the symbol. We can go.”
They pulled away from the mess of boats.
Once they were back in the current, Erik reached under his feet and poked the swearing TJ in the back with a spare paddle.
“You eat with that mouth? Here.” The look of delight on TJ’s face made Erik grin. “Just hold on to it tight, okay? We’ve only got one spare left.”
“I thought you were going to call out the symbols, Maggie?” Jared glanced over his shoulder at her.
“I figured just in case someone didn’t see it, I shouldn’t announce it for them all. It looked like a cowboy hat with a triangle underneath.”
The crowd of boats slowly spread out. Clusters of twos and threes still paddled beside each other, but with each buoy Granite Lake managed to lose another of their closest competitors. They made it past three more buoys before Erik decided it was enough.
“The rapids are around this corner. Let’s concentrate on finishing strong and not worry about the final clues.”
The team was silent for a moment before Maggie spoke. “I am getting tired.”
Jared nodded. “I vote for finishing. If you noticed the canoes ahead of us, not one of them stopped to get any of the extra clues. I think the four we saw is enough.”
They settled into a paddling pattern. There was a certain joy in moving in synchronization with the group this way. Not as good as running in a pack, but with a rhythm and a beauty to it all the same. Erik admired Maggie’s arms and shoulders as she paddled, watching the way her muscles moved under the skin.
He’d love to see her body shifting like that on top of him, rocking from side to—damn. This was not the time to get distracted thinking about his mate.
He steered them toward the safest channel just as a loud ruckus behind them made him check over his shoulder.
Shit.
“Holy crap! Did you see that?” Jared gasped.
“Eyes forward, Jared. You need to keep to your task as lookout.”
“But they dumped the other team!”
Erik shook his head. “Keep paddling, crew. Yeah, we’ve got a group trying an unusual method to gain points. Concentrate on the river in front of us, and let me worry about the cheaters.” TJ and Maggie exchanged worried glances before paddling madly. “Whoa, no rush. Just paddle. Trust me.”
Erik laughed silently. He’d wondered when someone would get creative. While wolves followed a strict code of conduct in governance, one of the sub-rules was if you were powerful enough, you could make your own rules.
Another shout rose from behind, and he watched for a moment as the cheating team came alongside their next victim and made short work of tipping them over.
Erik considered a defense and decided they’d never know what hit them. “TJ, remember when we guided that family reunion down the Stikine?”
“Are you freaking kidding? I still have nightmares…oh no. Holy shit, you can’t be serious—?”
“On my command.”
“Crapola. Yes, sir.”
“Erik. What’s happening?” Maggie sounded frightened and he wanted to reassure her, but there was no time. In a rush the other canoe was at their side, three of their team all at the ready to grasp the side of the Granite Lake craft.
“Now?” TJ asked, his voice coming out high and squeaky.
“Wait for it.” Erik glanced at the captain in the rear. He should have known. “Darren. Having a good time so far? You and the team?” There weren’t many people Erik actively disliked, but Darren topped his shit list.
The captain of the Anchorage team startled at Erik’s bland comment, then grinned widely, his canines showing. “Wonderful time. We’ll see you at the finish line, dripping wet.”
Erik shrugged. “If you insist. Now, TJ.”
TJ leapt, his long limbs propelling him into the air and over the side. He came down hard in the neighbouring boat.
Maggie squealed as their canoe rocked. Jared dropped into the bottom to help stabilize it. Erik threw himself down as well, cracking his paddle on the knuckles of the other team where they clasped the gunwales.
Shouts of pain rang out, the hands released and with a clatter the boats sprang apart.
“What the hell—?” Darren’s angry shout was followed by an enormous splash.
Erik, Maggie and Jared sat up slowly to watch the opposing team flounder around their capsized craft. Somehow their canoe had flipped over completely. TJ clung precariously to the bottom, his arms and knees spread like he was in wolf form. Erik snickered in appreciation at Darren’s expression until a change in the roa
r of water alerted him.
They all spun to see the towers of rock rapidly approaching. They grabbed their paddles and slid back into position.
“Draw on the right, Maggie. Jared, forward on the left. Don’t panic, we’ve got time.”
“What about TJ?” Maggie asked, concern in her voice.
“He’s probably going to get wet. We figured it was a very real possibility from the start. Hard! Paddle hard!” Erik judged the distance to the approaching rocks. Finally they were in the correct line. Good. They still had time. “Back paddle. Now.”
The rush of water forced them forward no matter how much they struggled against it, but there was enough difference in momentum that the canoe carrying TJ caught up to them. It could all be for nothing if this didn’t work.
Erik knelt on the bottom, his knees spread wide to try to reduce the rocking. “When I call out, brace yourselves.”
He took a deep breath, reached out a hand and grabbed TJ’s wrist. “Now!”
One solid yank brought TJ flying across the space between the canoes, his arms and legs flailing wildly. He landed in a heap in front of Erik, gasping for air as the other canoe flipped and filled with water.
“Erik!” Jared shouted a warning.
There was no time to do anything but pick up his paddle and slam it into the water. Erik leaned hard, using the blade like a rudder, steering them away from the rapidly approaching rock formation.
Jared whooped as a sudden cross-eddy dragged them past the jagged rock edges to the safety of the downstream side.
They all sat back and let the current carry them, the canoe spiraling in a gradual 360-degree circle. Erik sucked in a calming breath and stared up at the sky. The adrenaline rush faded, his pounding heartbeat slowed.
A loud cheer rose from the people watching along the observation platforms as Granite Lake crossed the finish line. Erik brought them into the docking area set up farther down the river, more than satisfied with his team’s efforts.
Maggie and Jared scrambled out first, chatting excitedly as they waited on the dock for him to join them. He picked Maggie up and spun her in a circle, his heart jumping as she gave him a big juicy kiss then hung onto his neck, grinning with delight.
“That was awesome. Can we do it again?”
He laughed. “I knew you had an adventurous streak. You didn’t even throw up.”
She dropped her head on his shoulder and spoke quietly. “I’m not happy about being with the other wolves, but being with you feels better and better. I…like you, Erik. I like your sense of justice.”
Her confession thrilled him more than finishing another challenge. He squeezed her before carefully putting her down, keeping one arm draped around her shoulders to block her from the other teams walking by.
Glancing into the bottom of the canoe, he found TJ still lying there with his eyes closed, a huge grin pasted on his face.
Erik squatted by the side of the dock. “You planning on coming with us? Because I can send out for a pizza or something if you’re staying the night.”
TJ opened his eyes and let out a big contented breath. “I didn’t screw up, did I?”
Erik laughed. “No. You did just fine.”
TJ sat up and nodded. “Maybe there’s hope for me after all.”
“Maybe.” Erik stood and reached for Maggie.
She slapped a hand over her mouth and her eyes popped open wide just as a loud splash rang out. The canoe drifted away down the river as TJ clung to the mooring rope.
He bobbed up and down in the water, swearing softly. A huge sigh escaped him. “Then again, maybe not.”
Darren and his team sloshed past, their faces grim. The leader turned to glare at Erik, his gaze raking Maggie’s body. Erik stepped in front of her. He didn’t want the ass anywhere near her. Not when she’d come so far in facing her fears.
“Nice teamwork, Erik.” Darren growled. “You going to introduce me to your lady?”
Maggie ducked under his arm, her face buried against Erik’s side. “Looks like she’s not interested. Keep walking, there’s nothing here for you.”
Darren raised a brow, his gaze flicking between Erik and the little bit of Maggie still showing. “Interesting. We’ll see you in the next challenge.”
They stomped off, their dripping bodies leaving a trail behind.
Chapter Nine
Maggie knocked on the door of the hotel room next to hers, her heart beating loud enough she was surprised they couldn’t already hear her standing outside. She didn’t really want to do this, but since she saw no alternative, she was going to put on her big-girl panties and force herself to have a good time. If she didn’t pass out first from nerves.
Jared opened the door and whistled in appreciation. “My oh my, you clean up nice.”
Maggie spun in a circle, the layers of her skirt floating around her. Now that she knew he was safe, Jared reminded her of nothing more dangerous than a golden retriever. “Why thank you, kind sir. Is the rest of my harem ready to escort me to the ball?”
He snorted and gestured her in. “TJ’s still in the shower, and Erik disappeared thirty minutes ago, saying he needed to grab some stuff.”
Maggie sat in the overstuffed chair in the corner of the enormous suite. There was a wet bar behind her, a comfortable sofa facing a massive wall-mounted TV, and an office studio off to the side. “I can’t believe they put us in a five-star hotel in Dawson City. I’ve never experienced the kind of luxury we’ve had for the past three days.”
Jared raised a brow. “What? Just because we’re wolves doesn’t mean we don’t know how to behave in high society.” He straightened the collar of his white shirt and pulled on a suit jacket. Maggie admired the results. The boy was a walking advertisement for GQ, wolf style. “Damn, can you help me with this? I can never get it straight.”
She slapped his hands out of the way to work on his tie. “Staying here is just such a contrast. They start us with a hike through the wilderness, throw us in the Yukon River and then plant us in Dawson to cool our heels? I mean I’ve loved the sightseeing and the sleeping in a real bed. And the food…oh my Lord, I’ve gained ten pounds.” She shrugged. “I thought they would make us head right away for the next challenge.”
He stepped back to check himself in the mirror. “Remember the Games are supposed to be like the wolf equivalent of the Olympics. Yeah, we all want to do our best, but there’s also the good-will-between-packs part. It’s a chance to show we can be together without starting territory wars like in the old days.”
Maggie collapsed back into the chair. “Jared…I’m going to confess. You guys from the Granite pack are not like any wolves I’ve met before.”
TJ leapt out of the bathroom, stark naked, dripping wet, and singing into a hairbrush at the top of his lungs.
Jared eyed him for a moment before turning to face Maggie, one brow lifted high. “You were saying?”
She burst out laughing. Jared joined her and the two of them gasped for air as TJ stood in the middle of the room, a confused expression on his face. “What?”
The main door opened and Erik wandered in, checking out TJ as he paced around him. “Interesting attire. I take it you’re going for the super formal look.”
“Ha, ha.” TJ dragged a towel over his body then nodded at Erik in his jeans and T-shirt. “What’s with you? That’s not your usual black-tie outfit.”
“Nope.”
Maggie rose to examine Erik more closely. The past couple of days he’d been by her side all day long, taking her on tours, buying her trinkets at the souvenir shops. Guarding her when too many wolves crowded around. Then he would kiss her good night outside her hotel room and leave her. Leave her aching and wanting, and she was so ready to rip the clothes right off his gladiator-sized body here and now to sate the urges pulsing through her.
This mate thing was getting seriously out of control.
He winked. “I thought Maggie and I would skip the formal dinner. You two go as the repres
entatives from Granite Lake.”
Relief flooded her, the tension headache at the back of her neck slipping away in one smooth stroke. “You mean it?”
He gestured to the basket he’d dropped on the coffee table. “I raided the kitchen. Private picnic for two sound good?”
She threw herself into his arms and buried her face in his neck. She breathed in deeply, his scent filling her head and calming her nerves.
“Thank you,” she whispered. He’d known. He’d understood she still couldn’t do the whole room full of strange wolves.
Someone cleared their throat, and she realized she was not only clinging to Erik, she’d wrapped her legs around his waist and they were rather intimately pressed together. Not that she was embarrassed—wolves were pretty upfront about sex—but if she didn’t move soon, they’d be putting on a show, and she really wanted to be alone with him.
Erik lowered her carefully, brushing his knuckles against her cheek before taking her by the hand. “Boys, I expect you to be on your best behaviour. I don’t want to be called back to Diamond Tooth Gertie’s and find out you’ve been fighting.”
Jared winked. “Tonight, I’m a lover, not a fighter.” He turned to TJ. “Did you see the chick on the Norwegian Team? Arwhoo. I claim dibs on that one.”
Maggie held tightly to Erik as he whisked her out of the room and down the ornately decorated hallway. “Are we going to get in trouble for not attending?”
He shook his head. “It’s an optional event. The guys will have a good time, there will be a lot of sex happening in the corners of the room, and one team will get thrown out for trying to start a rumble. The usual when you get a big gathering of wolves together.”
Oh Lord, now she was even happier she didn’t have to attend.
They walked quietly down the historic wooden boardwalk, Maggie pulling in long slow breaths of the fresh air. Above them the sky remained daylight bright.
Erik noticed her gazing upward. “We’ve traveled far enough north sunset won’t happen until just after midnight.”
She nodded. “I’ve missed this part of the North. Before we moved away from Whitehorse I used to love staying up late and going for runs…”