The second chukka proceeded much like the first. Quinn and Maddox repeatedly found themselves unseated, their horses spumbad by the sexes. of the Clifflands riders. After a particularly nasty fall, Maddox was carried off the field on a stretcher, medical staff hovering around him.
Bryloch was finally called for misconduct, allowing Matthew to score a point for the Forestvale Stags. Despite this small victory, the Clifflarda Holres maintained a commanding lead.
I had to admit, Matthew was showing impressive skill for someone who’d only recently taken up the sport. If Quinn and Maddox hadn’t been specifically targeted, they might have performed reasonably well too.
By the fourth chukka, Quinn had become the sole focus of the Clifflands team’s attention. With Maddox out of the game, Augustin, Adryx, and Brylock took turns methodically tormenting Quinn, taking their time as they pushed him to his limits.
Quinn fell from his horse repeatedly, each time being dragged several yards before managing to free himself. Adryx’s mallet ‘accidentally connected with Quinn’s helmet multiple times until, finally, Quinn lost consciousness and was also carried off on a stretcher.
Matthew must surely see what’s happening now, I thought, watching his frustrated expression. The crowd seemed to find it all tremendously entertaining, and both Freya and Scarlett looked satisfied with the outcome.
I wondered if Quinn and Maddox would even be able to participate in the rugby match after the beating they’d taken today.
The match ended with a decisive victory for the Clifflands Wolves. The crowd roared their approval for the entertainment both teams had provided.
In the locker room afterward, the atmosphere was electric with triumph. Adryx pulled Freya into a passionate kiss the moment she approached him, while Bryloch lifted Scarlett into his arms, spinning her around as she laughed.
Clearly, their little revenge match against Maddox and Quinn gave them a lot of satisfaction, I thought as I watched them.
Augustin playfully tapped my nose as I helped him remove his gear. “That was hardly a challenge,” he complained, pulling off his gloves.
“They probably only had a month to train,‘ I replied reasonably. “They did their best with what they had.”
Augustin paused, his expression shifting to something more serious. “Matthew has requested a meeting with me. On behalf of Quinn and Maddox.
I blinked in surprise. “When did this happen?”
“I just saw it on my schedule,” he explained, “I assume they want to discuss something, and this was the only way they could approach me.”
‘What do you think they want?” I asked, curiosity piqued.
‘I’m meeting them tomorrow afternoon,” he said simply. “We’ll find out then.”
Back in our box seats, Evanth was deep in conversation with Ruby, while Amelia was on a phone call. Augustin pulled me onto his lap as we settled in to
watch the next match.
This game proceeded smoothly, with no fouls or violent tactics. No one was carried off the field injured. The stark contrast only highlighted how deliberately brutal Augustin’s team had been.
I glanced toward the Forestvale section, noticing that Quinn and Maddox hadn’t returned to their seats. Their injuries must have been serious enough to require medical attention.
As my gaze swept across the stands, I spotted Alpha Charles Richards sitting beside Matthew, with his daughter next to him. I immed Augustin’s warning about him.
recalled
‘Augustin,” I whispered, nudging him gently. “Charles Richards is here.”
“Which one?” he asked, scanning the crowd.
“The one in the blue shirt, sitting next to Matthew.”
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Chapter 203
Augustin’s eyes narrowed as he spotted Charles, Ill have someone keep an eye on him. I don’t want him ending ning trouble?
I nodded, thinking about Charles’s motives. He had forced his daughter into Matthews pack and threatened war if Matthew didn’t sccept het ite 12. harbored ill feelings toward Matthew, possibly stemming from the historical tensions between the Emberwood Pack and the Pineridge Park,
Matthew should know about Chailes’s involvement in the attack on Forestvale, I made a mental note to discuss this with Augustin when we got home.
“We should invite Eliza to dinner,” Augustin said suddenly. “I want to give her some of those stamps.”
1 frowned. “Isn’t that asking for trouble?”
“Not at all,” he replied with a sly smile. “It’s setting a trap. We’ll track those physical stamps and see where they end up. Whoever is pulling the strings will need to get their hands on them somehow. This way, we can trace them to their final destination and identify the real mastermind, and possibly thei motives as well.”
Understanding dawned on me. That’s brilliant.”
Before we left, I linked Eliza to dinner.
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