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

Games
    “What about TJ?” Maggie asked, concern tingeing 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 coming rocking.
    “When I call out, brace yourselves.”
    Erik took a deep breath. He reached out his 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 tight 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?”

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    Vivian Arend
    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 slightly. 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 in Erik’s side. “Looks like she’s not interested. Keep
    walking, there’s nothing here for you.”
    Darren raised a brow, his gaze