Game of Destiny Chapter 24-1 The day I woke up and found the ground covered in the first snow , felt like a giddy pup . I stood forever in front of the windows in my room and looked out over the white landscape . I had always loved snow , and I preferred the cold of winter to the heat of summer . The scent of snow had been in the air for days and I had been talking to would take them sledding . There was a good slope for it in the wood the pupseveral of the pups in the pack and promised I told me . We were in luck , as it was Saturday there was no school or work , 1 mindlinked with the pups ' parents we getting ready . They had no objections to me taking the pups out for some fun in the snow . I rushed down to the kitchen and packed a big backpack full of hot chocolate , sandwiches , fruit and some blankets . I ate breakfast as I packed the backpack . Once I was done I headed outside to wait for the pups . It didn't take long until Cadence and his best friend , Jon , joined me . Soon , Sam's two nieces and four other pups had joined our little group . " Who is ready for a fun time in the snow ? " I asked . " We are ! " the pups called out as one . Everyone had their own sled with them . I had the food and we all were excited as we started our walk . The pups had been right , the hill was perfect for sledding , and the pups ran up and sled down in an endless circle . Some of the younger pups asked me to ride with them , which I was more than happy to do . We took a break and had some lunch . We spread the blankets over some fallen trees and had the sandwiches and hot chocolate . While Cadence and Jon helped me pack the blankets and mugs back into the backpack , the others had started to build snowmen . We all spent an hour building snowmen and doing snow angels . I sneaked off behind some trees and changed into my wolf . I jumped out and started chasing them around in the snow . The pups screamed and laughed as they tried to turn the tables and chase after me . We were in the middle of tumbling around in the snow when I heard a chuckle . We all turned towards the sound and saw Finlay standing , looking at us . " So this is where you have been , " he said . Alpha ! " the pups all announced and then rushed over to him to tell him all about what we had been doing . I just sat , in my wolf form , and watched . ' We need to have a meeting , ' Finlay mindlinked me as he listened to the pups . I knew him well enough by now to know that despite his happy face and relaxed body stance , this was something serious ! ' Party pooper , ' I linked back as I headed to where my clothes were . When I had changed back into my human form and dressed , I returned to see Finlay had organised the pups for the walk back and picked up the backpack . We all walked back together , it started to snow . Big flakes fell and turned the world into an even more magical place . Finlay and I watched as the pups tried to catch the snow on their tongues . When we got back to the village , we found the parents waiting for us outside the pack house . Finlay must have mindlinked them . They all thanked me for entertaining their pups in the morning . I told them it was my pleasure . " You looked like a pup , " Finlay remarked when we were alone , heading for the meeting room . " I feel like one in the snow . That's why I like to entertain pups on snow days like this . It gives me a good excuse to act like one . " " It's not often I see you so relaxed , red . I think the snow does you good . But maybe put a hat on , " he told me and brushed snow from my head . 2 " Hey , watch the hair , " I said . More out of habit than because I was upset . He just smiled . As we walked into the meeting room , the others were already there . " You found her , " Medow said with a smile . " I did , " Finlay agreed . " You could have just mindlinked me , you know , " I told them as I took my seat after taking off my jacket . " And miss the opportunity to see you tumble around the snow with the pups ? I don't think so , red . " We all settled down and everyone turned their attention to Finlay , we knew he had something important to tell us . 1/2 Game of Destiny Chapter 24-2 " I received a call from Alpha Jackson of the Rolling Hills pack this morning , " he told us . We all nodded . " They are not an ally . What do you know about them ? " he asked . " They are a mid - tier pack , " Martin said . " We don't share any allies with them , so we haven't interacted with hem , " Sam added . " I know my old pack did some trade with them . But I don't know any details , " Medow told us . " They were too low rank for my old pack to consider a friendship with them . I have heard their old Alpha was a strong leader and the pack had a higher rank when he was Alpha . I think the current Alpha is his nephew or something like that . As I heard from my dad , he isn't as strong of an Alpha as the former and they had dropped in rank because of it . I think they lost some allies as well , " I said . Finlay nodded . We all wanted to know why the Alpha had reached out to Finlay , but no one asked . If Finlay wanted us to know , he would tell us . " Alpha Jackson made me an offer . He said he knew that with us being unranked , we were vulnerable . He said he had a stable pack with a good reputation and he offered us to join them , " Finlay informed us . We all looked at him for a moment , trying to take in the information . " They want us to join them ? " Martin asked . " As in ; we merge with them and their Alpha becomes our Alpha ? " Sam asked . I felt both myself and my wolf object to the thought . " Yes , " Finlay said . " I know it feels strange to consider , but if it will keep the pack safe , we should at least discuss it . " I looked at Medow and I knew she was thinking the same thing I was . " This doesn't feel right , " she said . " I agree . Something is missing . Did they ask for something in return for their generosity ? " I asked . Finlay gave us a grin that wasn't happy . " Yes , your instincts are correct . If we accept their offer , they expect us to hand over all pack assets , including the land , to them . " " Hell no ! " Martin called out . " I'm with him , " I told Finlay . " I don't like this at all , " Sam said . " I'm with the rest of you , " Medow told us . " I'm happy I and the pack have your loyalty . But , as I said , we need to talk about it before we refuse it , " Finlay insisted . " Fine . Let's talk about why we think they really extended their offer . None of us thinks it's out of kindness , right ? " I said . " Right. They would have offered to take us in before we settled down if they just wanted to help , " Martin agreed . " They want , or need , our land , " Sam said . " Do we know where they are located ? " I asked , Not specific , as we aren't allies . But we know the general area , " Finlay told me . 1/2 Chapter 24 2 Let's look it up on a satellite map , see if there is anything we can deduce from It , " I suggested . Martin connected his laptop to the big screen on the wall and searched for the area Finlay gave him . " Oh . Medow said as she saw it . " That explains it , " Sam agreed . The map showed an area of mostly grass plains with rocky terrain popping up like islands . The few trees in the area stood spread out . As we moved over the map , we found some villages and some smaller cities , but nowhere did we see any forests or land that looked unoccupied by humans . " It has to be difficult living there as a wolf , " Finlay remarked . " They have to be on the constant lookout for humans , " Medow said , here was a lot of compassion in her voice . " They are looking for a way to get out of the situation , " I concluded " Then we offer to take them in , under our current Alpha and our pack , " Martin suggested . Both Finlay and I shook our heads . " It won't work . We won't inherit their rank just because we take in their members . The only way to get the protection of their rank is for us to join them , " Finlay explained . Chapter Comments Stayz it's sweet to see how fond of her Finley is .. I really hope they end up together VIEW ALL 2 COMMENTS > 4 SHARE POST COMMENT 2/2 Game of Destiny Chapter 25-1 That sucks , Sam said . " But won't it be a detergent ? Martin asked . " How do you mean ? " Finlay wanted to know . " If we take their pack into ours . Won't other packs know it and see it as us increasing in strength ? Which would make them less likely to want to fight us , " Martin explained . " That is a good point , Finlay told him . " But do we want these wolves in our pack ? " I asked . Everyone looked at me . " I'm not saying we shouldn't be willing to help others . But I don't think we have explored their motives deep enough . Yes , we know they need new lan land . But why get it through merging with another pack ? " " Because they are a decent pack and don't want to attack us ? " Medow suggested . " Sure . But why do they need another pack's land at all ? They are a mid tear pack . According to them , they are a stable pack . they should have the finances to buy new land . If their pack is living on land like that , why don't they pool their resources , sell the land and get new land? When you left your old pack , you had non notice , no time to plan , and you managed , as a new pack , to buy this land . Heck , we have managed to save up so we can buy a couple of more acres in spring . How long have they lived on that land ? How many years have they had to save up to move to a better place ? I asked . There was silence around the table . " You suspect there is trouble in their pack ? " Finlay asked . " I don't know . I just know that there is a reason why they are still on that piece of land . Until I know what that reason is I'm not comfortable letting them into our pack . And I will vote no on us joining them . My wolf won't accept a new Alpha , " I told him . He chuckled . " I should have expected as much , " he said . " What about the rest of you ? " " A definite no on us joining them . We have a good pack , a strong pack in so many ways . I'm not willing to risk us going back into a pack which doesn't have the right values . I'm open to letting them join us , but I agree said . With Amie , we need more information , " Marin " I agree . Not to join them . Maybe to them joining us , " Sam agreed . Medow nodded . " Maybe we can arrange a meeting and get to know them ? " she suggested . " That is a good idea , " Finlay said . " I will call Alpha Jackson and turn his offer down but suggest we find another solution . " Everyone agreed . " Do you want to join me for a beer ? " Finlay asked , as everyone got ready to leave . " Sure , " I said . I got the feeling he had something he wanted to talk about . " How about we get some dinner to go from the pack kitchen ? " I suggested . " Great idea , I heard we are having pizza today . " " Pizza and beer , that's a good combo , " I told him . We got our pizza from the kitchen and headed over to Finlay's house . Take a seat on the couch , " he told me as he put his pizza box on the coffee table . As I got comfortable , he lit the big fireplace and got us beer . From the windows of either side of the fireplace you could see his snow - covered garden and beyond that the brook . It 1/2 Chapter 25-1 was cosy sitting on the sofa with him , eating pizza and enjoying the ire and the view . " What do you think will happen when I call the Rolling Hills Alpha Finlay asked as I had almost finished my pizza . I put down the slice it was eating and took a moment to think about the question . " It depends on what kind of Alpha he is . If his intentions with the offer are good , he will most likely understand and be open to an alliance . If he had an ulterior motive , he wouldn't be happy . " I answered . Finlay nodded . Ite had a hard look on his face which didn't suit him . I liked the playful and relaxed look he had most of the time . Even when it was a mask . I could read him well enough that I didn't need his expression to show me what mood he was in . Irritatingly enough , he was just as good at reading me as I was at reading him . Chapter Comments Sfayz haha I knew she would mention her mama Sfayz ah poor Fin VIEW ALL 4 COMMENTS > 1 3 ܒ SHARE POST COMMENT 3 2 2/2 Game of Destiny Chapter 25-2 " Do you think he will try to force the issue ? Sartack ? Maybe . If he is desperate enough . I'm guessing they are uncertain of how strong we are , or that they are weaker than they look . Otherwise , they would have gone for that option from the start . The offer is too risky . They have to know that we won't just accept it , " i thought out loud . " Or maybe it's just me being a pessimist and they are really doing it out of the kindness of their heart . You know I like to prepare for the worst . I'm not really a happy happy , fluffy bunnies and unicorns that farts rainbows kind of a person . " I told him . He burst out laughing and it made me smile . At least I could brighten his mood a little . * I needed that , thanks , " he said , still chuckling . Then he sighed and rned serious . " I think your are right to be on your guard . Something felt off with the call I had with him . He was too friendly , something with him rubbed my wolf the wrong way, " he said . " Trust your instinct , it's a good one . And I know you worry about the pack and about the threat we face because we aren't ranked . But don't let that guide you too much . We are a strong pack , and everyone in the pack is willing to take that risk because they believe in this pack and in you as it's Alpha . None of us would be here if we didn't , " I told him . " Thank you . I think I need to be reminded of that sometimes , " he said . He put his feet on the coffee table . I was about to object when I remembered we were in his house . He leaned back into the couch and looked out the window . It had started snowing again . " I will remind you when I think you need to hear it . I just don't want it to go to your head , " I told him and leaned back as well . I didn't put my feet on the table though . I knew my mother's spirit would take physical form and smack me in the head if I even tried . Finlay chuckled softly . We sat on the couch , watching the snow drinking beer and enjoying the peace and quiet . " I should head back home , " I said a couple of hours later . We had time to talk about less gloomy matters and play cards . " It's really coming down . I have a spare bedroom , " he offered . I laughed and gave him a friendly shove . " I think I will be okay walking ten feet , " I said as I headed to the hallway to get my jacket . " Fine . Just be careful . " " I will . Thank you Finlay for a nice evening . It was fun , " I told him . " Thank you for keeping me company and taking my mind off the call with the Alpha tomorrow . " " No worries . If your mind gets out of control , just mindlink me . I have an astonishi am more than happy to recite to you if needed . " pile of useless facts stored in my head that I " I will keep that in mind , " he said as he held open the door . The snow was really coming down , but the few feet between Finlay's and the pack house was still easy to walk . As I reached the front door I felt myself being watched and turned around . I could barely see Finlay's silhouette in the doorway of his house . Are you seriously watching me walk ten feet ? ' I mindlinked him to ask . ' You can't be too careful . Sleep tight , red , ' he linked back . ' You too , Alpha . See you tomorrow . '