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

flicking between Erik and the little bit of Maggie still showing.
    “Interesting. We’ll see you in the next challenge.”
    They stomped off, their dripping bodies leaving a trail behind.
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Chapter Nine
    Maggie knocked on the door of the hotel room next to hers, her heart beating loud enough she was
    surprised they couldn’t already hear her standing outside. She didn’t really want to do this, but since she
    saw no alternative, she was going to put on her big-girl panties and force herself to have a good time. If she
    didn’t pass out first from nerves. Jared opened the door and whistled in appreciation.
    “My oh my, you clean up nice.”
    Maggie spun in a circle, the layers of her skirt floating around her. Now that she knew he was safe,
    Jared reminded her of nothing more dangerous than a golden retriever. “Why thank you, kind sir. Is the rest
    of my harem ready to escort me to the ball?”
    He snorted and gestured her in. “TJ’s still in the shower and Erik disappeared thirty minutes ago,
    saying he needed to grab some stuff.”
    Maggie sat in the overstuffed chair in the corner of the enormous suite. There was a wet bar behind
    her, a comfortable sofa facing a massive wall-mounted TV and an office studio off to the side. “I can’t
    believe they put us in a five-star hotel in Dawson City. I’ve never experienced the kind of luxury we’ve had
    for the past three days.”
    Jared raised a brow. “What? Just ’cause we’re wolves doesn’t mean we don’t know how to behave in
    high society.” He straightened the collar of his white shirt and pulled on a suit jacket. Maggie admired the
    results. The boy was a walking advertisement for GQ, wolf style. “Damn, can you help me with this? I can
    never get it straight.”
    She slapped his hands out of the way to work on his tie. “Staying here is just such a contrast. They
    start us out with a hike through the wilderness, throw us in the Yukon River and then plant us in Dawson to
    cool our heels? I mean I’ve loved the sightseeing and the sleeping in a real bed. And the food…oh my
    Lord, I’ve gained ten pounds.” She shrugged. “I thought they would make us head right away for the next
    challenge.”
    He stepped back to check himself in the mirror. “Remember these Games are supposed to be like the
    wolf equivalent of the Olympics. Yeah, we all want to do our best, but there’s also the good-will-between-packs part. It’s a chance to show we can be together without starting territory wars like in the old days.”
    Maggie collapsed back into the chair. “Jared…I’m going to confess. You guys from the Granite pack
    are not like any wolves I’ve met before.”

    Vivian Arend
    TJ leapt out of the bathroom, stark naked, dripping wet and singing into a hairbrush at the top of his
    lungs. Jared eyed him for a moment before turning to face Maggie, one brow lifted high. “You were
    saying?”
    She burst out laughing. Jared joined her and the two of them gasped for air as TJ stood in the middle
    of the room, a confused expression on his face.
    “What?”
    The main door opened and Erik wandered in, checking out TJ as he paced around him. “Interesting
    attire. I take it you’re going for the super formal look.”
    “Ha, ha.” TJ dragged a towel over his body and nodded at Erik in his jeans and T-shirt. “What’s with
    you? That’s not your usual black-tie outfit.”
    “Nope.”
    Maggie rose to examine Erik more closely. The past couple of days he’d been by her side all day long,
    taking her on tours, buying her trinkets at the souvenir shops. Guarding her when too many wolves
    crowded around. Then he would kiss her good night outside her hotel room and leave her. Leave her aching
    and wanting, and she was so ready to rip the clothes right off his gladiator-sized body here and now to sate
    the urges pulsing through her.
    This mate thing was getting seriously out of control.
    He winked. “I thought Maggie and I