Game of Destiny – A Thrilling Tale of Power, Love & Fate

‘Red, how are you holding up?’ Finlay mindlinked as he looked back at me.

‘Fine. I think I can hold on. But I don’t think I can pull him up,’ I said.

‘Ramses, Amie, stay put and hold on. Alpha, let’s make our way as close as we can. If they act as anchors, we can pull him

up,’ Sam said. I focused on breathing and not thinking about the pain in my fingers. Finlay came back and was next to me.

‘Ready?’ Finlay asked.

‘Ready,’ Sam agreed. Finlay used one arm to reach across to where the rope was holding up Jake, swinging below us.

When Finlay and Sam pulled on the rope, I felt relief as the weight was no longer on me. It was hard for them to pull him

up using only one arm each, but it didn’t take long before Jack reached up and took a grip on the holds.

‘Got it?’ Finlay asked.

‘Yes, Alpha. Thank you, and sorry about the trouble,’ Jake replied.

‘Don’t think about it. Let’s finish this,’ Finlay said and started moving across again. My arms objected as I started moving.

It was hard going from a standstill to swing forward. When we all had come past the outcrop, we took a moment to

breathe again.

‘It won’t get easier, let’s get it over with,’ Finlay told us and we moved again. The climb became steeper, the holds

smaller. As the top came into view, we could see how small it was. It would be a stretch for us all to fit. The holds were

barely enough for me to be able to put my weight on. All parts of my body objected as we pushed forward. ‘I’m up,’

Finlay declared, and I felt him pull on the rope to help me with the last part. When I got up on the small flat surface, we

took a hold of the rope connecting me to Jake and helped him up as well. We manoeuvred so Finlay could help Jake to

pull Ramses up and finally Sam joined us. We had to hook arms around each other for all to stay in place and not fall off

the edge.

“Blue Mountain pack, you have finished the game with four minutes to spare. One moment and we will get you down.

Congratulations on finishing the first game.” There were howls coming from our pack members who had been watching

us. Hidden in a crevice there was a long rope attached to an anchor. We used it to scale down the rock face.

‘Well done, everyone. Let’s join the others and watch the rest of the game and then we go back to the cabin and talk it

through,’ Finlay mindlinked us. We all walked over to where the rest of our team sat on the benches.

“You were brilliant. Well done!” Matilda said as she handed out bottles of water and sandwiches to us.

“Thank you,” I said as I was grateful to sit down. My arms were burning and my fingers and toes were chaffed. They would heal before the end of the day, but for now, they were painful.

‘Are you okay?’ Finlay asked in a mindlink.

‘I’m fine. A little bruised, but nothing that won’t get better before the day is over. Especially when I get Matilda’s food.

How about you? It was very impressive to see you and Sam pull Jake up like that,’ I told him. He gave me a smirk.

Impressive enough to earn me a reward?’ he asked. I smiled and shook my

see,’

and nudged me with

smiled

had also chosen to tie themselves together with the rope.

one in their group lost his grip and fell. The second to last got the

in the group about what to do and, in a panic, the second to last member used his claw to

was dangling from the rope gave a shout as he started free falling. I gasped. He hit

the ground. There was a moan, and

group, still on

was that?’ Sam asked in a

‘Pathetic,’ Finlay said.

one. We have seen three packs who have lost team members on the

staff, said.

I asked in

use the rope,’ Matilda scoffed. It was clear what she thought of those

was one part they were scoring,’ Jake pointed

own capabilities. I bet my tail on that

to make it to the

a team with strong pack members,’

think we will see that now,’ I told him as

come to do their first run at the game. Finlay

said. I could hear in his voice he was

of three of you. There will be a lot of weight put on

a group, mindlinking their strategy on the side of the

at the tools

after five minutes. The announcer started the clock for the game and all

towards the rock formation. They made decent progress for the first third of the climb. I

holds would get smaller. I could see the speed of their progress decrease.

came to the outcrop, they looked visibly exhausted. As they started to make their

ledge, they struggled. One of the men slipped with one hand and everyone gasped

he still had a hold

Finlay’s brother

read the

us now and

a strained voice. I could see his efforts to

arm. Finlay’s brother had made his way to the other

they wouldn’t have to

helping him?’

I disagreed with his brother. It was not to show weakness

need. It was to show weakness when you were too afraid to help

your claws,” Finlay’s brother growled. Again, for all to hear. It

Alpha,” the man

hear the claws digging into the rock

team mates followed after. They resumed the climb, but the mood was off. I could

irritation in the air from where we sat. Their struggle to get all five members to stand on the top was interesting to watch and reminded me of a wrestling match. I tried my best

finally stood on the top the commentator was

minutes

rules. Your final score will be marked down by

just shook his head. We watched the final packs as

area had finished we packed up and headed back towards

as my name was called.

surprise and gratitude.