Page 81 of The Chosen Fae

Stone had wondered about that too.

“Oh, that was our ploy,” Lolita said. “Then no one would believe I had what it took to win any challenges because I didn’t even have my sister’s backing. But you and Stone were playing the same game, lone wolves for the most part, until you started to show your true selves and how much you cared for each other.”

“Like you being so concerned over Lolita falling in the hole in the cave,” Rune said.

“Yeah, I was glad that we were together on the last challenge, but was terrified that she might have been hurt,” Iris said.

“Falling into the hole terrified me!” Lolita said. “I was so glad Iris and Caspian were competing with me in that challenge and stayed to help me.”

Hearing his name mentioned, Caspian came over and said, “Since I’m in the same pack as the sisters, I knew that they were, and being a pack member, I would have stayed to help Lolita no matter what.”

“Because that’s what pack members do for each other,” Stone said.

“Except for some,” Rune said.

“Xena and Vesper,” Lolita, Iris, and Caspian said at the same time.

“We’re glad they’re both gone,” Caspian said.

“I wondered how Vesper got the flame sword,” Stone said. “He never had a sponsor, and when I broke his sword, he had a replacement in record time.”

“A dark wizard provided Vesper with both swords. Zarak was a wizard I had fought in the past. When the rest of us provided you with sponsored gifts and weapons, we had no wish to get anything in return. Not so with Zarak. If Vesper had won, Zarak would have ensured he would have control over the packs,” Brett said. “One of our dragons had a premonition that Vesper would do anything to win. He knew you and Rune were on top, and he had every plan to destroy you.”

“The golden rope saved me,” Stone said.

“Yeah. I had to get it to Rune to help Lolita, but then she was meant to come to your aid.” Brett smiled. “It’s what prospective mates do for each other.” He kissed Ena.

“Thanks, Brett,” Rune said.

“You are most welcome.”

Then Rune’s brothers, Sam and Rocky, came over and smiled at Rune and Stone. “We’ve been talking to everyone who participated in the games, and we want to do them too—for fun,” Rocky said.

“Yeah, we’re all ready to set them up. We just need your permission and to lead us,” Sam said.

Silas and Elon soon joined them. Elon said, “Have you heard that several of the wolves that are our age want to play in the games like the ones we did?”

“Yes, Rune’s brothers were just telling us about it,” Stone said.

Stone’s other sisters and brother, Sally, Helen, and Rusty, joined them. “Can we do it?” Sally asked.

Stone smiled. He was so glad the games were over. The idea of having to go through that again wasn’t something that interested him.

“Sure,” Rune said.

Stone glanced at her, and she gave him a sweet smile, though he knew she had something in mind—as usual, and he loved her for it.

“Stone and I will be the Game Masters, and we’ll decide who all wants to compete and make sure the groups are the same approximate ages, so that more than just our age group can participate.”

And that was the beginning of the packs truly becoming one, with everyone getting involved in the games for fun, no murderous attempts on anyone’s life, but just camaraderie. They’d also renamed the packs as one: Moonrise-Starlight Glade.

“You know, you are something else,” Stone said, watching a mix of the united pack members playing tug-of-war as wolves a week later.

“Something good, right?” Rune said, leaning over to kiss his cheek.

“Something brilliant.”

“I love you too.”