Chapter Twenty-One

(Authors note: so I've decided to change my schedule because clearly I'm letting everyone down. College is piling up and I've really been slacking on writing. I'm going to aim to get a chapter up every two weeks. Sometimes there may be a bonus but that's if I get time. As I keep doing, I apologise to you all but I am determined to finish this book, however long that may take.)

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I lay in my bed stiff, all of my muscles sore and aching. I was just grateful that I don't have to do too much movement today. We are testing our sense of smell, hearing and our speed. My guess is a race to see who is the quickest in both forms for the speed.

I roll out of the huge comfy bed and stretch my stiff muscles. They begin to feel better, though I immediately head to the shower as the hot water will definitely soothe my body. After getting out I felt much better.

I pray mentally that the speed test will be last. I pull on my clean gym gear from out of my bag, my set from yesterday being taken by the maids.

I tilt my head to the side, though I don't hear Azaizal active. I don't bother to try and see if I can hear people awake as even with my own ears I can hear several people out and about near the dining hall.

I tie my hair in a ponytail as I walk out of my room on a mission to find my trainers. I freeze as Azaizal's door opens and he walks out in only trousers. 'Damn' Ally speaks, making me jump. I hide a laugh and observe that he's already showered, though he's still tired.

He instantly looks at me as I take a deep breath in. I quickly look away despite how hard it is due to my heat and finish wrapping my bobble tight before letting my chocolate brown hair fall.

Azaizal looks me up and down quickly before I clear my throat and his eyes snap to mine. I look away embarrassed. "We should start heading down soon," I tell him, my voice quieter than usual.

He just nods his head sharply and walks swiftly back into his room. I hadn't noticed it at first but as he walks out of his room, a shirt covering his torso, he's slightly limping. I frown at him.

"Sore?" I ask unnecessarily, nodding towards his leg. He scruffs his hair up and nods. I smile slightly, glad it's no longer awkward.

I don't bother holding the door wide as we walk, as I'm standing next to him though half a step behind. By the emotions I can sense, he doesn't like the fact I'm allowing him to lead.

The wolves in the corridor are looking at us as we draw closer to the dining hall. I look down as some of the males eye me up. I flash my teeth as another steps too close to me. He immediately backs off and tilts his head down slightly.

I shake off my confusion and grab a plate of food and sit across from Azaizal, hopefully making it easier for him. "I'm sorry for my scent," my mental voice sheepish. "Heats are worse for runts and I didn't pick up my pills."

"It's fine." He tells me. I lift an eyebrow not believing him. His eyes are dark and have been since he walked out of his room. "Okay, maybe it's harder than I thought." I just nod at him.

We finish eating in silence before heading to the largest training facility. It's where we were told to meet this morning for instructions.

We walk in and it's already almost filled. King Alessio is already here. A few minutes pass and everyone seems to be here. "I honestly didn't think this would fit everyone" I tell Azaizal mentally, it being far to loud to speak out loud. His lip twitches up in amusement.

"Welcome to the second day of testing." Alpha King Alessio yells in his kings voice. "Today you will be scent tracking, testing your hearing and your speed."

"Half of you will join my Beta, Beta Lock in the scent tracking, while the other half of you will follow Gamma Xavier for the hearing test. After these, you will be tested on a five mile run to see who is the fastest out of you all."

The room quickly fills with chatter about the race which echoes. Everyone ready to show off to each-other and impress others.

I catch eyes with another runt and we smile at each-other knowing how fast we can be. I wouldn't be surprised if we get in the top twenty.

"I'll make to is simple, everyone with the last name beginning with A-M will follow Beta Lock. N-Z will follow Gamma Xavier." I nod to myself realising everything is easier than the day before.

Chatter erupts again as everyone goes to their respective leader. Gamma Xavier leads us outside while Beta Lock stays out. We follow him down a worn path through the forest before stopping in the clearing.

There are a lot of the kings men here, dressed up in padding with weapons attached to their waists. "You will be tested in both forms."

"First human, then wolf. Prince Azaizal," Gamma Xavier points towards Azaizal who walks towards him and stands beside him. "Will be staying here and marking down who can hear the noises from some of you. If you cheat, he will know." The Gamma's voice is harsh as he says it and I'm guessing he does not appreciate those who lie.

"These warriors" He points to the group of five wolves. "Will be assigned to a group of six wolves each. However, two groups will have seven." Gamma Xavier proceeds to walk down the line of wolves, counting to six then restarting.

I get the number four. He assigns four more wolves before walking up the line to Azaizal. I'm disappointed when he's the leader for group one, though I don't dwell on it too much as it will give him a break from me and my scent.

We all stand in a line next to our respective leader. Mines a female and she hands a small piece of paper to each of us to fill out all the necessary information. There are two boxes with six rows each where I'm guessing a check mark will go for when we're tested in both forms.

I hand the female my paper and pen and stand tall while still. My feet shoulder width apart. Gamma Xavier nods his head as he spots all the warriors and Azaizal with the papers in their hands.

"You will raise your hand if you hear the noise and your respective leader will check mark the box." Gamma Xavier says and I nod my head, expecting as much. "Each will be one mile apart." I raise my eyebrows at this as when in human form we can only usually hear about two-three miles away.

He nods his head to Azaizal and he nods back before Gamma Xavier sprints off. "How will we know what the sound is?" A female asks Azaizal, looking up at him from under her eyelashes. To me she looked desperate. Cue eye roll.

Azaizal cocks his head to the side and a grin forms on his lips. His fangs are slightly out and it makes his grin look wicked. "you'll know." He gives me a quick wink at the females slightly scared look. She's one of the females from earlier I realise.

A few minutes pass and many of the wolves are becoming on edge as the sound doesn't appear. I flinch and cover my ears as a high pitch ring explodes my ear, my hearing being very sensitive. I immediately raise my hand at the annoying, painful noise and see everyone doing the same.

"A BLOODY DOG WHISTLE?!" I mentally snarl at Azaizal, seeing the earplugs in his ears. He just looks at me innocently smiling as he checks off everyone in his group.

The sound stops after about ten seconds and everyone, including me sighs in relief. Everyone is tense as a few more minutes pass and the sound has yet to return. The next time it rings I no longer have to cover my ears, despite it still hurting.

I raise my hand at the third ring, it being much fainter than the last. Half of the group no longer raise there arms. Despite it no longer hurting my ears, it is still very annoying even with it being faint.

I tilt my head to the side as a few more minutes pass m. I scrunch my eyebrows and close my eyes to focus on the noise. It hard to hear through the noises of the forest but I manage to pick up the pitch.

I raise my arm and open my eyes. Many people are looking at me and the only other male. All the warriors had taken out there earplugs and most have confused faces. Only Azaizal and another warrior don't have the confused face but look impressed. "Nice Ella" Azaizal says through the private link. I simply smile.

A few minutes pass and there are no more people that raise there arms.

Azaizal's eyes go foggy as he mind links Gamma Xavier. He nods his head at whatever he is saying before speaking. "Ladies go behind those trees and shift first, then the guys will follow. The first test will begin at four miles away and go from there."

I quickly run behind a tree and get out of my clothes, shifting immediately before running out and sitting back in my spot. Once everyone has shifted we don't have to wait long before the first sound. I pin my ears down and whine slightly, throwing my paw in the air as many wolves do the same. It's the same for the next test but the third test doesn't hurt anymore.

I cock my head to the side for the fourth test as we were at eight miles and I struggled to hear the third. I raise my paw in the air and a few follow. At the next one I once again raise my paw.

I nod to myself as I no longer hear the high pitch. "You can all shift back, again girls first. Boys after." Azaizal tells us. We wait about twenty minutes until Gamma Xavier arrives back in wolf form. He quickly shifts behind a tree. He then walks out and his eyes fog over.

All of you will follow Azaizal to the scent tracking test." Gamma Xavier tells us. We all follow Azaizal to another clearing in the forest. As soon as we walk into the clearing. He leads the wolves who have completed there tests away. I cock my head to the side.

"Gamma Xavier has me staying with him and testing the other half of the wolves." Azaizal links after sensing my emotions. I send confirmation before focusing on Beta Lock.