Azariah's pov

For the second day in a row, I'm up early and attempting to make myself look presentable. I've promised myself that today I absolutely will not do anything to embarrass Micah. Not that I'm convinced he was overly embarrassed yesterday, but it's probably best to err on the side of caution.

My mother comes into my room just as I'm pulling on my shoes. " Good morning. How's my favorite daughter today?"

"Real funny mom, I'm your only child. And I'm fine, thanks for asking."

"Good. Please be home for dinner tonight. Dad has some things he wants to go over with you." She smiles at me.

"Of course. Gotta go mom. Love you." I kiss her cheek on the way out of my room.

I get outside just as Micah is pulling up. Still a win for me. I can see him shaking his head as I walk up to the truck.

"Who are you and what have you done with my friend?" He says as soon as I open the door.

"I didn't realize you had friends. Sorry. " I reach over and grab the box expecting donuts, but I'm happily surprised that he brought muffins today.

" There you are. And to think I get to put up with your attitude for many years to come. Lucky me". Micah says as he reaches over and steals the blueberry muffin, the one he knew I was gonna take. Not that I'm in a position to complain since he bought them and all.

" Anyways Azariah, what are your plans for tonight?"

" Well, I was gonna spend some time with my two favorite boys, Jack and Daniels. Had a rough week." If I can handle it I may invite my other favorite guy, Johnny Walker.

"I see. Instead of getting shit-faced how about going on a little adventure?" He asks with a knowing grin on his face.

"I'm intrigued. Go on."

"Well, I had an interesting phone call last night. It appears the final test for Jace is going to be that of brain not brawn. And they asked for a volunteer."

I don't even have to think about it. " I'm in."

"Don't you wanna know your part?" He asks teasingly.

"Okay, tell me. But either way, I'm still in."

Once Micah finished, I was stunned. Actually a lot stunned. I get they need to test them in all areas, but this seemed weird.

"So let me get this straight. I'll be taken up into the Selkirk Mountains, at night, and left alone, waiting for Jace to "rescue me". "

Micah laughs at me, " First of all, this is a test for Jace, not a question of your ability to rescue yourself. Second, you already said yes."

"The things I do for you two." I groan loudly. "What time are we leaving?"

"I'll pick you up at one am. Just don't tell Jace anything when you call him later to wish him luck."

We pull up to the medical facility with time to spare. I see Amber sitting in her car, so as we get out I wave her over. As always she keeps her head down and doesn't make eye contact with us.

I see Micah look over at her and with a small smile he says " Good morning Amber, how was the drive?"

"Fine thank you." Her voice is so low that if we were human we never would have heard her.

I notice a slight pink hue on her cheeks. Even though I find it comical I don't laugh. To me, he's just Micah, pain in my ass, Koyle, but to everyone else, he's the future Alpha Micah and I guess some find that intimidating.

I'm surprised when were the last ones to enter the classroom. We're definitely ahead of schedule today. Bunch of brown-nosers. The whole lot of them.

"Nice of you guys to finally show up," Priya says as were walking past her.

I keep on walking back towards our seats, thinking Micah was going to handle that, but nope, he doesn't say a word.

He takes his seat beside me and I give him the "what the fuck" look. The bastard has the nerve to roll his eyes indicating she's not worth the effort.

I disagree. And he's gonna hear all about it later.

The teacher finally comes in and explains that we will break up into smaller groups for the day. One group will go to the lab, one to the surgical, and one to the tech area where they teach us how to use the upgraded equipment.

Amber is looking around nervously. Micah took notice and turned to her, "You're with us."

We notice Priya and Eric joined up with some other students, thank fuck. I can't guarantee my good behavior all day if she joined us.

One of the male students from another pack, don't know who or which one, comes over to us. "Hey I'm Chris from Ambersy pack, can I join you guys?"

" Of course, I'm Micah, this is Azariah and this is Amber."

"Ya, everyone knows who you guys are." He's looking straight at me when he says this and the laughter is written in his eyes.

" Well, I see four, got room for number five?"

Oh Goddess, please tell me he's not behind me, talking to us.

But of course, he is, and of course, Micah, the ever so polite asshat, accepts his offer.

Alpha Zane steps around in front of me and asks which area we want to go to. Micah says surgical, thankfully, and we head out.

The facility here is relatively new and has lots of upgrades compared to ours. Not that ours is shabby, but certainly not as nice as this. I find myself excited to get my hands on some of this equipment. In the surgical unit that is, if they let me touch the stuff in the lab, well, let's just say it won't be good.

On the way to the department were going to be working in, Chris steps up beside me and tries to make small talk. "Did you always want to work in the medical unit at your pack?"

"No. Micah here forced me into it." I say with a laugh. "Plus, I'm gonna be his right-hand male, or female in this case."

"How does your mate feel about that?" His inquiry as to rather I'm mated or not is funny as shit.

I conceal my laugh, "Don't know. I haven't met him yet." And isn't that the sad truth?

Almost twenty years old, and I've never even been on a date, or been kissed. Most of the males in our pack hardly even speak to me. I'm sure it has something to do with the fact that I'm always either with Micah or Jace. Not too many would be brave enough to approach me, that's for sure.

We get to the classroom, and the teacher sets up all the practice skins. She talks about the wound we'll be closing like it's the first time any of us have seen this. I seriously want to roll my eyes at her, but I refrain.

She finally gets to the point of teaching us a new technique that involves gluing the wound closed. I'm not sure how efficient this will be considering it's for smaller wounds, but I'm curious to try it out either way.

After half an hour, I can tell you it's harder than they made it look. I glued my gloved fingers together, several times. The worst part was listening to Micah and Zane laugh at me. Time to see how much better they do at it.

While the boys were practicing the gluing, I went over to watch Amber, who was trying to stitch a wound closed. She was pretty bad at it, so I decided to try and help her. I needed a break from the others anyways. I was annoyed with Micah about earlier, the Chris creep keeps checking out my tits, and Zane has just been full of compliments all morning. You wouldn't think that would be annoying, but it was.

Just as Amber is getting the hang of it, Zane comes over. "You should be helping to teach this Azariah, you're a natural."

Oh boy, the shit's getting deep in here." Umm, thank you, Alpha Zane."

"Please just call me Zane. I'm not used to the title yet, besides I think we're gonna be good friends so no need for that."

Really? Good friends? That's stretching it. But I'm not going to insult him by saying so. Believe it or not, I do know when to keep my mouth shut.

"Right, so anyways Zane, the thing is I'm far too busy to be taking on any more work. Thanks for the vote of confidence tho."

"Just think about it. Were short on people who are good at this and I know many of the packs would benefit from some extra help." The look in his eyes suggests this conversation is far from over.

Well, it's over for me. How many people do they really need to teach this stuff to anyways? It's not like any of our medical facilities are overrun with patients. The busiest would be on a Friday or Saturday night when the bar crowd gets out, and the males are drunk and aggressive.

But even then, it hardly happens. Unless he knows something I don't, I'm not seeing a big need for more teachers.

*****

At the end of the day Micah and I walk Amber to her car. I'm not gonna give that Trish bitch any opportunity to catch her alone and harass her again. Thinking about Zane's words from earlier, I look at Amber and think to myself that maybe I am up to making new friends. I've never really had any female friends, maybe I could give this a try.

I try to think up something to ask her to do with me, without coming off as some weirdo. Did I ask her to have lunch on our day off? Or maybe she would like to go on a shopping trip. Hell, I have no clue what to suggest. Then I remember about the party for Jace coming home.

"Hey, I was wondering, if you're up to it, Sunday night we're having a dinner for Jace completing his training, would you like to join us?" I ask her with what I hope is a genuine smile and not a creepy one.

She looks a little taken aback, like she's not used to being invited out. She's probably not to be honest. " Um, ya, I mean ok. If that's ok. I don't want to impose. Or really, you don't have to do that. I'm good if not. "

I couldn't even stop the laugh that escapes my lips, " I'm inviting you because I want to. Plus, I don't have many friends and I thought maybe it's time I change that. Please come. Rescue me from the sausage fest. "

"Okay, I would like that." She has a real smile on her face and is looking right at me. I'll take that as a win for now. Hopefully, she doesn't chicken out.

After exchanging numbers with her Micah and I jump in his truck to head home. I'm gonna need to have a nap if I plan to be up most of the night.

I still can't believe I've been roped into being dropped off in the woods in the middle of the night. It would have been better if I was allowed to just fight Jace instead. I think I could hold my own. The advantage I have is that he's the one who taught me how to fight. Like really fight, not just defend and throw a punch or two. So ya, I could hold my own against him.

Micah hasn't said a word since I got in the truck, and I'm betting it's because he knows I'm pissed right off about earlier. This nice guy act he has going needs to end. In a couple of years, he's gonna have an entire pack to run, and maybe he doesn't know it, but the nice guy usually gets stepped on. Sure, I'll be there to help, and I pity the idiot who tries to step all over me, but still, he needs to grow a pair.

"So Micah, you wanna tell me why you allowed Priya to publicly disrespect us today and did nothing?"

"She's not worth it, that's why. She's always looking to get a rise out of me just so I'll pay attention to her." He says this like it's obvious.

"So for the sake of avoidance, you let her act like that. You know I let it go because I thought you would say something. Won't make that mistake next time. You may not mind being spoken to like that but I sure as hell do. You sure your not actually fucking her?"

Micah doesn't even look at me or acknowledge my rude remark. We drive the rest of the way in silence. I know I crossed a line, but he seriously needs to address that she-bitches mouth. The longer he ignores it, the worse it gets. Maybe she thinks it's encouraging that he doesn't say anything to her.

We pull up to my house and as I'm about to jump out Micah grabs my arm. "I'm sorry."

Before he can continue I jump back and mock him from earlier, "Who are you and what have you done with Micah?"

"I'm serious here, I'm sorry. Your right.Not about me fucking her, jerk. I shouldn't have let her get away with speaking to us like that. My father would never allow it and I need to learn to do the same. It's just every time I even speak to her she's encouraged to start trying to get me to date her again. I'm so sick of having to dodge that bullet."

" I get it. I certainly don't envy you. " And that's the truth. "But you can't keep letting her say and do shit without addressing it. You need to put your foot down and stop this bullshit."

Cause if he doesn't it's just going to keep on happening. Ignoring her hasn't worked for him so far.

"I know. I was hoping she would just give up but that's apparently not happening."

I hop out of the truck and grab the box of muffins we didn't finish. " I'm going to take a nap. See you at 1."

"Try not to be late." He chuckles at me. The jerk just had to get in the last word.

***********

Several hours later...

It's way colder out here than I thought it was going to be. It's pitch black, cold, and I'm literally alone. Yup, they just dropped me off. Oh, I'm sure they aren't far away, but still, I'm kinda having buyer's remorse right now.

If it wasn't for the fact that they gave me the green light, actually encouraged it, to give Jace a hard time, this wouldn't be worth it.

He better move his ass. I don't wanna be out here all freaking night.

Jace's pov

BANG! BANG! BANG!

"Lyk, training field, 5 minutes!!"

I jumped up so damn fast that I momentarily forgot everything, including my own name.

My brain was still trying to process what was going on when I looked at the clock. 2:30 am, was glowing red, staring back at me.

Just as I was about to lay my head back on my pillow, my brain started functioning again. Training field?

Shit.

They were starting the final test. Now. They really were sadistic bastards.

I quickly threw on my Rocky shorts, can't forget those, sweatpants overtop, a t-shirt, and hoodie. I grabbed my sneakers and ran out to the training field barefoot.

I was the last out of the 5 competitors to show up. Whatever.

Looking around, I can see that the other four were just as confused as I was.

It was pitch black, not even the moon or stars could be seen. Wonderful we're doing this in the dark, and possibly the rain. Cause if my nose is correct, and trust me it usually is, we're in for a storm tonight. I have no problem kicking ass in the rain, bring it.

After about 20 minutes of sweating it out, the security lights came on, and out walked Blake and Kane. Behind them, the head of security for each pack came out as well.

Interesting.

Alek is from my pack, he looks at me and gives a nod, acknowledging me. I wonder if that's who we're going to fight. Either way, I couldn't care less. I didn't get this far to lose, so if I have to go through him, so be it.

"Your final test starts now." Blake bellows out. "Your pack member here will take you to your starting point. You will run a border patrol, in human form, and meet back here."

We're all looking at him to finish. And he looks back at us like we're dumb fuckers. "That's it, now head out."

What the actual fuck?? There's no way that's all there is to the grand finale. A border patrol? They can't seriously be testing us on our ability to check our pack perimeters. I start to wonder if they've been drinking, and they pulled us out here as some sort of joke. But then I guess that doesn't explain Alek being here.

My mind starts coming up with other possible scenarios these assholes have planned for us. Everyone, including me, thought it would be a last-man-standing tournament. One where we'd have to fight each other.

Oh Goddess, what do these sick fuckers have planned? Cause I am not stupid enough to think it's this simple. Maybe we do still have to fight. Someone could be waiting to 'breach' our border, and there testing us on whether we catch the breach, and how we handle it. That would at least make sense.

Alek leads me over to his truck and we get in. I know better than to ask him questions he can't answer.

We drive in silence for a good ten minutes, heading west up the mountain, before he pulls over.

Alek leans over and puts a cord over my neck that has a box attached to it. He flips on a switch on the front, and I realize it's for audio and video. " Your patrol is five miles heading west, then north, then loop back around to this point. When you're done you can take the road back to the complex. Your not allowed to call for backup or shift to make the run. Got it?"

"Yes"

Once he gets the signal on his phone he tells me "Go"

As I get out, he pulls away, leaving me out here alone. I take off at a slow jog, it's gonna be a long way back and I need to conserve energy.

Having nothing better to do, I start thinking about the last 3 years of my life. This night feels surreal. After this, it will all be over. I've done nothing but think about this moment and now that it's here I'm not sure how to feel.

The endless days and nights training, getting the shit knocked out of me, running off of little to no sleep, pushing myself to the brink of insanity, and it's hours away from being over.

I remember why I started it to begin with. To prove I was somebody. Somebody a female would be proud to call her mate. Somebody in particular. Back then I told myself that when I completed this training, I would tell Azariah how I felt. Because in my mind, I would have proven my worth. But now that the moment is here, I'm still no closer to having the courage to do it.

Funny how that works. You start something with one goal in mind, only to end up changing that goal along the way.

I turned 20 back in January and already received my offer to join the pack's security team. I was to start when this was over. So at least some of my hard work had already paid off. One of my goals has already been reached.

Luckily it was a paying job because Azariah's 20th birthday was in a few weeks and I had some ideas for her.

I have some ideas of what you could give her. No money needed.

Shut it Ehron. I do not need your advice. Damn cheeky wolf.

I continue for a good twenty-five minutes. I'm on high alert as I still don't trust this whole "patrol thing'.

I expect that at any second someone will come out and challenge me. A surprise attack maybe? I'd be willing to take on more than one at this point. That's how bored I am. Hell, send out several males to fight, that sounds like a good Friday night to me. But as I continue, nothing of the sort happens.

I'm almost at the furthest point out when I pick up on a scent. My mind must be playing tricks on me. Maybe because I was just thinking of her.

I go a little further, and there's no doubt now.

Fresh rain.

My legs start racing faster than my heart. What the fuck is she doing all the way out here.

Is it even her??

Or their attempt at a really bad joke.

My mind is a complete mess as I run even faster than should be possible. My legs burn from the effort, but I don't stop, or slow down in the slightest.

And then I see her. Well, what I think is her, cause I'm not close enough to see the person's face. It would be damn funny if she was sent up here to fight me. I don't even think I'd be able to do it, I would probably just stand back and let her knock me out. The thought of ever harming her turns my stomach.

Once I get up close to her I see she's sitting on the ground against a large group of rocks. Her legs are bent to the side, almost underneath her, and her upper body is draped over one of the larger rocks.

As I approach her she looks up at me with a small relieved smile and hands me an envelope. Inside it says:

You've just discovered an injured pack member. The left leg is broken and theres also a small cut on the left side of the head. It has stopped bleeding, however they have lost a fair amount of blood. Bring them back.

My brain is complete mud. I know there are things I need to do at this moment but all I can think is how much I want to scoop her up in my arms and hug the living shit out of her.

Ya right, i think you've mixed up the word hug for hump.

Since I'm not about to argue with Ehron the annoying in front of Azari, I simply ignore him. Or ignore him the best I can since he is literally in my head and all.

Test!!

Crap. I almost I'm in the middle of my final test. Okay, think Jace, what do I do??

"Hey, are you ok?" I ask her.

"Ya, just great here." She sarcastically replies.

"Can you tell me what happened?"

"Well I just got these new legs, so I decided to try them out." She looks at me with a challenge in her eyes "And voila, my leg is broken."

"Okay, but how did you break your leg? Were you alone out here or did someone do this?" I ask with a hint of annoyance in my voice.

At least my brain has decided to function again. Step one..assess if there's any immediate threat.

"Do you see anybody else, Sherlock? Yes, I'm alone." She rolls her eyes at me. " I started to get worried when the sun was going down, and I couldn't figure out where I was, so I climbed that tree over there to get a better look around, and next thing I know I'm kissing the ground."

"So let me get this straight. You, a werewolf, got lost and then fell out of a tree?" I can't even help the smirk that forms on my face. This is the biggest bullshit story ever. She could have come up with something better.

"English not your first language asshat? That's what I said."

" Okay, well we need to straighten out this leg and get the bone in place. We'll do it nice and slow. Ready?" I reach out to help her straighten her legs and the next thing I know she's shrieking like a banshee and slapping me.

I hold my hands up in an act of surrender. "Okay, okay, I'm just trying to help. No need to get violent. You need" but before I can finish she cuts me off.

"What I need is an actual medical professional. And some water." She snaps at me.

"We'll get you some water as soon as we brace this leg," I assure her.

She plasters on a big fake smile " I could use the water now. Please"

"Listen, darling, I can't leave you alone, you are injured and won't be able to defend yourself should something come for you." I give her an equally fake smile.

"Listen, buddy, I've been here for hours already and nothing has come for me. Well except you, and I'm starting to think my luck just got worse."

Those bastards paid her to be difficult, I just know it.

"And my name is not darling." She all but growls at me.

"Sorry. I'm Jace. What's your name?"

"Dee"

She's even thought up a fake name. Great. How long has she known about this test, and could I get away with just leaving her here?? Probably not. But the thought is amusing either way.

"What's your last name Dee?" I inquire, wanting to know how far ahead she planned this.

"Hydrated," she says while scratching the corner of her eye with her middle finger.

Oh. They paid her a lot!! And although her little joke is funny, I hold back my laugh.

"I'm gonna go find some branches to use to brace your leg. I won't go far." I sprint away before she can say anything else.

It doesn't take long to find what I need. A few pieces are kinda long but I can fix that later. I need to hurry up here, cause I know I'm being timed.

As I walk back over to her, I notice she's trying to hide the fact that she's cold. I swear, if I couldn't smell her wolf I would honestly wonder if she was even one at all.

I pull off my hoodie and hand it to her.

" I already have my own on. I'll be fine." Instead of arguing with her I just pull it over her head and wrestle her arms into the sleeves. I have no time for this crap.

"Thank you" she whispers.

"Now, we have to get this leg straight ok?" I reach out again and this time she just straightens her leg, sparing me any further attitude, or assault.

I place the branches on the outside of her leg. It dawns on me that I don't have anything to tie them on with.

My pants it is.

Azariah's eyes widen as I stand and start to pull my pants down.

"No need to worry Dee, just need the material is all." I wink at her while saying this.

Now that I'm only in my t-shirt and shorts, I can feel it is a bit cool out here. I start tearing the pants into long strips and make quick work of fastening them onto her leg.

I take a minute to think if I'm forgetting anything. When nothing comes to mind I lean down and tell her it's time to go.

" What the hell are you wearing?" She asks me, trying to sound serious.

"Ummm, shorts and a shirt" I look at her like she's crazy for real.

" Those are the stupidest-looking shorts I've ever seen." Azariah bursts out laughing.

"Hey, these were a gift from my best friend, and I'd appreciate it if you'd keep your opinion to yourself." I tried to sound stern, but I'm sure I failed. "Besides there the Rocky shorts, you clearly have no taste."

"Okay, I'm sorry. But just so you know, everyone is gonna make fun of you if you're caught in them."

Now we're both laughing. I should have known she'd find a way to throw my words back in my face.

"Alright, time to get you to a real doctor." I bend down and put one arm under her legs and the other around her back and under her arm.

"Hey, I can walk you know."

"Pretty sure you can't. " I look pointedly at her leg. " Besides, these muscles aren't just for show."

Azariah finally loops her arms around my neck. Hopefully, she's done giving me a hard time.

You better hope she doesn't give you a HARD time, that will make for an uncomfortable walk

Of course, he had to go there. The last thing I need right now is to get a hard-on while sporting silky shorts, that will only enhance, not hide the fact.

" Everything alright Jace?" She must have noticed the look of annoyance on my face.

"Of course, Ehron just wants me to tell you hi, and that your acting skills are shit."

She's laughing again at me. " Ya right, He would never say that. He loves me."

Oh Azariah, if you only knew just how right you are.

I start making my way toward the stream that is close by. I can follow it most of the way back then loop over to the road where Alek left me. Better get her that water she asked for, or I'm sure I'll never hear the end of it.

I can't believe this is the final test. Of all the stupid ass things they could come up with, this has to be at the top of that list. We all figured it would be a battle, a last-man-standing battle. That I was at least prepared for. This, not so much.

What are they even scoring us on here? Our ability to carry someone for over two hours?? How much bullshit we can put up with before we break their leg for real? I've got no clue. And to be honest I'm a little disappointed. Three damn years of training to be tested on our ability to "rescue" a pack member. An extremely annoying pack member at that.

Your not exactly a picnic yourself loser.

I wonder if he realizes that we are one and the same. I mentally tell him to shut it, unless he has something useful to add to help out here.

Of course i do, go find a nice sheltered area, put her down and mount her. Problem solved.

Although his idea is shit, I can't help but wonder how they would go about grading me on that.