I oblige, taking a quick sip from the canteen as Jackson holds one map in each hand looking them over. He gives a swift nod, handing one back to me.

“Thanks, by the way,” I say, taking my attention from the path for a moment as I hand his canteen back to him. “For…rescuing me. Again.”

Jackson doesn’t say anything, just shoots me a little look and nods like it was the obvious thing to do. But guilt wells in me, because I know that even though his mate and I are one in the same, that he wasn’t actually trying to save the me he knows, Ari Clark – he was trying to save some anonymous girl.

And a little jealousy suddenly wells in me…

But I scowl and brush away.

Because honestly, am I wasting time in this Examination being jealous of myself!? My wolf huffs at me, giving my soul a nip, telling me to pay attention. So I do, pushing myself forward along the ridge as fast as I can, which is slower than I’d like it to be. The terrain has changed now, moving from smooth forest to rocky terrain that slows my steps, even as night falls.

After about two hours, Jackson sighs, putting a hand on my shoulder. “Stop,” he says, and I turn to see him shaking his head as he looks up at the sky. “We need a plan.”

I stop, turning to him as he again pulls out his map, taking advantage of the last gasps of light to review it. I come to his side, standing on my tiptoes so that I can see it as well.

“The bridge is a trap,” I murmur, frustrated.

“It wouldn’t be,” he replies, his voice chagrined, “if we were faster.”

I scowl, because I know that’s my fault. If it weren’t for me, Jackson would be halfway up the mountain by now.

“The Examination is testing a lot of things,” Jackson says, speaking his thoughts aloud as he studies the map. “How fast we can move, how we deal with our apparent enemies, whether or not we can change plans on a dime. Eventually, it will test our ability to handle rough terrain,” he says, pointing towards the land closest to the Final Destination, which I noted early is mostly cliffs that we’ll have to scale.

I study the map alongside him. “Cadets are going to gather at the bridge,” I sigh, shaking my head. “Make it hell for anyone to cross.”

“Yup,” he agrees, nodding. “It’s not a bad plan – anyone who is strong and fast enough will have already crossed anyway and made it to the mountain by tonight. But for anyone who is a little slower or doesn’t have the ability to shift, it will be worth it to take the time and knock out faster candidates as they try to cross. I mean, I can take them, but…” he glances down at me, not needing to finish the sentence.

I ignore the fact that I cannot, looking up into his face and frowning. “Would it even be worth it, though? I mean, even if you could take them and do some damage, you risk getting hurt.”

“They can’t hurt me,” Jackson mutters, his eyes roving over the map for a plan.

“Jacks,” I sigh, suddenly pissed and a little sick at the idea of him barreling through a gauntlet of cadets at the bridge. “You’re not invulnerable, you’re just big. Stop being so cavalier.” C0pyright © 2024 Nôv)(elDrama.Org.

Jackson takes a second to study me with a frown, I think surprised that someone is worried about him. But then he just shrugs. “It doesn’t change anything,” he says. “We still have to get you across.”

I bite my lip, staring up at my mate’s perfect face, suddenly horribly guilty at all he’s giving up by dragging my tiny little self along in his wake. “Jacks,” I say softly. “Just…go on without me. Leave me behind.”

Slowly, Jackson turns to stare at me like I’ve said the craziest thing he’s ever heard.