Wolf Games: Granite Lake Wolves, Book 3 by Vivian Arend

concentrate on finishing strong and not
    worry about the final clues.”
    The team was silent for a minute 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. Oh shit.
    “Holy crap! Did you see that?” Jared gasped his surprise.
    “Eyes forward, Jared. You need to keep to your task as lookout.”
    “But they dumped the other team!”

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    Vivian Arend
    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.”
    He laughed. 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, you remember when we guided that family reunion down the Stikine?”
    “Are you freaking kidding? I still have nightmares…no, 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 over 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 response, 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
    gunnels. Shouts of pain rang out, the hands released and with a clatter the boats sprang apart.
    “What the hell—?” Darren’s angry shout was following 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 and TJ clung precariously to the bottom, his arms and
    knees spread like he was in his wolf form. Erik snickered in appreciation at Darren’s expression until a
    change in the roar 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.”
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