Game of Destiny by Dripping Creativity novel Chapter 22

Chapter 22

It had been a full week since I returned from my trip, and I was slowly settling into a new rhythm. Surprisingly, the adjustment wasn’t as challenging as I had anticipated. There was always something needing attention within the pack—meals to prepare, questions to answer, errands to complete. The ranks handled the larger decisions, with Finlay eager to step in wherever I required support. Each day also included a meeting with the rest of the pack, and Sam had entrusted me with organizing and overseeing the training sessions. I had even roped in Medow to help me plan our first hide-and-seek event, hoping it would bring some fun and camaraderie.

As I walked from one of the pack members’ homes back toward the pack house, Martin approached me. I greeted him with a warm smile. He paused for a moment, running a hand through his dark hair, then took a deep breath, looking back at me with a serious expression.

“What’s on your mind?” I asked gently.

“Do you have a few minutes to talk?” he replied.

“Of course,” I said, “Would you like to come up to my room?”

“How about a walk by the creek instead?” he suggested.

“That sounds perfect,” I agreed, feeling the warmth of the summer day around us. We strolled quietly, following the gentle curve of the creek. The soft grass beneath our feet muffled our steps, and the scent of wildflowers drifted in the air, adding a peaceful touch to the moment. We moved away from the village’s bustle until Martin finally sat down on the grassy bank. I settled beside him, and we both gazed out at the slow trickle of water.

“Has Finlay ever told you what things were like before this pack was formed?” Martin asked suddenly.

“No, not really,” I admitted. “We haven’t talked much about your old pack.” I glanced at him, noticing his eyes fixed on the creek.

“My family wasn’t part of the ranked families,” he began quietly. “We were just ordinary wolves. When Alpha Johannes led the pack, wolves like us were respected because we did our part. Maybe not in the same way as the top ranks or the warriors, but we worked hard and were valued.” He paused, and I nodded, not wanting to interrupt as he opened up. “But then he passed away, and Ryan—Finlay’s brother—took over. Suddenly, my family didn’t matter anymore. We weren’t physically strong, so we were overlooked. Then Finlay gave us a choice: follow him or stay behind.” There was a moment of silence.

“Your family isn’t here now?” I asked softly, already aware from the pack roster.

“No. My father believed it would be dishonorable to abandon our pack. My mother wouldn’t leave if my father stayed, and my sister was mated to one of the pack’s warriors. But I knew I couldn’t stay. There was no future for me there,” Martin confessed.

“I’m sorry to hear that. Do you keep in touch with them?” I inquired.

“With my sister and mother, yes. But my father is still disappointed in me,” Martin said with a rueful smile. “I’m telling you all this because honestly, I don’t know what I’m doing. I have no idea why Finlay chose me as his Beta. But I’m determined to live up to the role. I need you—I need you to tell me if I’m not doing what I should. If I’m hurting the pack, I’ll step down. This pack means everything to me, and I’ll protect it, even if it means protecting it from myself.” I smiled and nudged him gently with my shoulder.

“Oh, you weren’t alone in that. I called him crazy once or twice myself. I don’t know about the pack, but I’m definitely better off here. This is home. So thank you for being open-minded and welcoming me,” I replied.

We stayed seated for a while longer, and I found myself resting my head on his shoulder. He leaned his head gently on top of mine. It was a peaceful moment of connection, almost like the days when we used to hang out and tease each other. Eventually, we stood and began our walk back toward the village. Our conversation turned lighter, and the initial awkwardness of a new friendship faded away. As we neared the pack house, Finlay approached us.

“Where have you two been?” he asked, not annoyed, but amused.

“I had to warn Amie about how stubborn you are—and all your other flaws,” Martin teased with a grin.

“I told him it was too late. I already knew all about it,” I added, and we both laughed.

“You two have definitely bonded. Why do I feel like this will be bad news for me?” Finlay joked with a chuckle.

“We’ll be gentle with you,” I assured him, then gave Martin a quick kiss on the cheek. “Thanks for the walk. I really needed it, and I had a great time. We should do it again sometime,” I said before bidding them both goodbye and heading off to continue with my plans for the day.