AZARIAH THE UGLY QUEEN OF THE PACK

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.