Chapter 23:

Joey' s P.O.V

The whirring noise of the blow dryer blew in my ears as I dried my hair. I was completely livid. I couldn't believe he had done that and then just left. Huffing I set the hair dryer down and glared at my reflection and took a deep breath. I needed to calm down in less then 10 minutes I would have to be standing in front of a bunch of challengers who think they are good enough for the role of my Beta. Running a hand through my golden hair I took  a deep breath closing my eyes. "Let's show them who's boss Joey."

Standing in front of at least 20 challengers, both male and female, my eyes drifted over each face. I've known all of them for years. Not a single one surprised me. My eyes landed on my mate and I pretended he wasn't there. This would be a fair challenge. No favorites. Especially not for him. As I walked towards them they fell to their knees in the grass as My voice rang out across the field. "Today I will test each of you on your strengths and weaknesses. Each of you will be pushed to the limit to see if you will break under pressure. By kneeling here today you have given yourself to this challenge. You still have the option to back out now and no one will think badly of you." I paused and when no one moved and judges watched me with determination a smile fell upon my lips. "Very well. Being my Beta isn't just a title it is a responsibility that you must earn. It is a great honor. But it also comes with sacrifices. Your loyalty is to me first. No one else. Some of you have your mates already," My eyes landed on mine and then I continued. "So I understand how you will feel like you may be betraying them. This is not the case. I would never put you in the position where you had to choose me over your mate, but I expect that my orders are to be followed understood?"

"Yes Luna." They all spoke confidently in unison.

"Good." Walking in front of the first challenger I bent down and sunk my claws into her shoulder and kissed her forehead. "Welcome to the Beta Challenge." I whispered in her ear. She never flinched and only spoke when I pulled my claws out. "Thank you my Luna." This ritual was repeated with the remaining candidates and when the last one spoke I stood and called loud enough for the whole the pack to hear as they stood watch, "Let the Beta Challenge begin!" Cheers erupted from the crowd and the challengers stood and walked to their tents and shifted. The first challenge would be strength. each competitor would face an opponent of my choosing. Since there was an even number this worked out for now. After the first challenge two would be eliminated until only there were only four left. Then it was up to me.

"Mila and Daisy. Mika and Donald. Ronnie and Roman. Grant and James. Jane and Julie. Kale and Michael. Jackson and Mack. Max and Mark. Adam and Sean. Connie and Connor. Those are your opponents when I sound the horn you will begin. There will be three rounds. Let's begin." Walking over to my chair I climbed up so I could have an over view of the fighting. "Any questions?" Silence filled the field besides the sound of birds calling from the forest. "Good. Begin." I pressed the button on the horn and it rang loudly. A few flinched but I kept my composure as I watched Mila, Roman, Connie, and Sean leap first. I wrote notes on my clipboard without looking away from the fighting. I had to be ready to stop them if necessary. Mila and Daisy were the first pair finished. Mila was victorious. Next was Grant and James. Grant was victorious. Within 20 minutes the fighting was over and Adam, Max, Jackson, Kale, Jane, Mika, Connie, and Ronnie were victorious as well.

"Round Two. Those of you who were victorious in round one please go to the left. The other please go to the right. The new opponents are as followed. Mila and Grant. Mika and Adam. Max and Connie. Jane and Kale. Jackson and Ronnie. For the others the opponents are Daisy and Julie. Roman and Sean. Michael and Mack. Donald and James. Connor and Mark. Face your opponents and remember being a Beta doesn't mean you are the strongest. A Beta isn't the first to leap into a battle. Begin." Holding the horn farther away this time I pushed the button and the fighting began.

This round took longer than the last. Much longer. By the time it was finished almost an hour had gone by. Everyone was truly trying to probe themselves. However when the challenge was over two of them would be sent back into the crowds and I knew just how I was going to do it.

After a fifteen minute break the challengers came back to the field fully dressed and stood waiting for me to make my decision. Walking out of my own tent, where I'd been watching from, I made my way towards them carrying 20 white roses. I could tell by the look of confusion on some of their faces they didn't understand why I had them. Handing each challenger a white rose as I walked by they one else before me. As they were handed theirs. "Now I'm sure you're wondering why you all got a white rose. Well simply because I thought they were beautiful and I thought I'd share." I heard a few snorts and grunts of annoyance behind me. Whipping around I glared. "Now. Is that anyway to treat your Luna?" By then they noticed the wind had started to pick up and apologies shot out of their mouths quickly. The wind began to die down as I turned back to my challengers.

"As I was saying. These are beautiful. They have thorns for protection as we have claws but are still delicate flowers. Each of you caught hard but two of you will not be continuing to challenge two. Those two are Daisy and Mika. You are both very strong fighters but I don't believe Beta is the right position for you." Their eyes fell sadly. "However since you both showed extraordinary tactics and amazing strength. You both are now the trainers of the special tactics program." Both of their faces lit up like a child's on Christmas and they bowed in thanks then joined the pack.

"Challenge Two is strategy. I want see how well you can keep the pack in order and running smoothly. I've already set up a simulation in tent 1. Those with the best strategies move to stage two. Any questions? Let's begin." This time I didn't wait for questions. I led Mila in first. "You have 10 minutes begin." A small gasp left the girls lips as she saw the scene before her. Quickly she recovered and got to work. Each session went like this. Finally Grant came in and his eyes landed on the scenario and he looked at me and waited until I told him to begin. He was done before the 10 minutes were up and left with a smirk on his face. I glared after him.

Walking over to my simulation I tapped the glass and the little girl looked up at me and tilted her head. Then she disappeared into thin air. She had never been real she had been a figment of a memory. My memory. The little girl had been me. Looking down I picked up the box of strategies and read each of them. Each of them had passed the test and would accept the girl. Walking out of the tent I called, "All of you will be continuing on to stage two. This time I will ask you a series of questions and you will answer them to the best of your ability. When we have finished two of you will join the pack and the rest will continue to Challenge Three."

The next hour was long and nerve wrecking as question after question was asked. After everyone was done I had made my decision. Julie and Jackson would not be continuing. Standing in front of them I held 18 red roses. I gave them each one then walked back to where I had stood moments before. "Julie and Jackson. You both are strong minded and quick to answer a question with a solution. So you both will be placed at the head of the Strategy Program. You will be co-leaders and will work side by side to help me work and make this pack a better place." Julie and Jackson held their heads high at the promotion. They bowed then joined the pack.

Challenge Three Charity: Mack and Sean were eliminated and made head of our Charity Center.

Challenge Four Compassion Connor and Jane were eliminated and made leaders in our Elder Center.

Challenge Five Leadership Mila and James were eliminated and put as head councillors at our Leadership Training Camp for Future Warriors.

Challenge Six Honor Roman and Michael were eliminated and made head councillors at the Camp as well. They would be teaching honor.

By the time we had finished the sixth challenge only 8 remained. Grant, Max, Donald, Ronnie, Connie, Kale, Adam,and Mark were the remaining competitors. They all stood with their heads held high as I paced slowly in front of them. "Making it this far you should all be very proud. Even participating is a reason to be proud. I personally am proud of each and every one of you. This Challenge there will be four of you eliminated and the remaining four will go through the Final Beta Challenge and then I will choose who will stand at my side as My Beta." There were a few gasps from the crowd as I said half would eliminated in one challenge but no one protested.

"Challenge Seven Love and Loyalty. I want you all to find your mate and bring them here." Each of them moved and went and got their mate from the crowd. All of them except Grant who just stood watching me with a curious glint in his eye. "Oh Grant since you don't have a mate that can participate in this Daisy will be taking the part of your mate." I smirked but my eyes said tread lightly. Daisy of course knew he was my mate and wouldn't do anything but this was more of a test for him. I smiled at Daisy and nodded as she walked over and stood next to him.

"Very well now that everyone is here mates come with me. James take my Challengers to my tent and blindfold them. A few of them stiffened but they went with James leaving their mates with me as I lead them into another tent. I sprayed each of them with a scent masking perfume then led them into the forest and locked each in their own cage. "Now don't break out. You will be rescued. Then I had the cages moved and hidden. Coming back to the field I went to my tent where I noticed they were struggling at their holds and trying to get free.

I chuckled, "Silver dearies you won't be breaking it anytime soon. Now calm down. Would I hurt your mates?" They instantly calmed. They knew I wouldn't hurt my own packmates. "However they are locked in cages in the forest waiting to be found. Now before you can save them you must all take a test on love. I have all the answers. These answers go to your mate in this challenge we are going to see who knows their mate. Now Grant I know you are at a disadvantage so try and do your best. Daisy made it easy for you." Stepping forward I held my clipboard and watched each of them as they struggled slightly. They knew the sun was setting. "Let's begin. What is your mates name?" Everyone answered correctly. "Age?" Everyone got them right. "Favorite color?" A few hesitated but everyone got them right even Grant. Question after question the mates answered as quickly as they could. Most answered correctly Grant got most right which was impressive since Daisy wasn't his real mate. Even some of the others got some wrong. This wasn't surprising. When I finished I set the clipboard down. "Final question. Do you love your mate?" Each and every candidate answered with a yes except for Grant. He had gotten his blindfold to fall down and was looking straight at me. "Grant. Do you or do you not love your mate?" Heads swiveled towards him even though they could see him they still waited to hear his answer. "Yes. I do love my true mate." I nodded and used chain cutters to break the locks holding the chains that held them down. "Go find your mates." They rushed out quickly Grant was the last to leave, as he cast a glance back at me then followed the others out into the forest to try and find the missing mates. I pushes the button on the timer. Time had begun...

An hour had gone by when everyone returned and a smile fell upon my face. "Very good." I hit the button again and stopped the timer. "You found everyone and left no one behind. That shows loyalty and love. You have all passed stage one and I am very proud of all of you. There will me a five minute break before we begin stage 2 rest up. This won't be easy." Without another word I disappeared into my tent.

Grant came in a few minutes later. "Joey?" I didn't turn and look at him I only continued writing. "What?" He cleared his throat and walked up behind me. "That last test-" I raised my hand and cut him off. "Don't. If that's all you wanted." I gestured for him to leave. "Its time to begin the next stage." I walked past him and out of my tent tossing my hair over my shoulder. All of the others were already standing in line. I took my place in front of them and we waited for Grant. "Next time let's not be late. Tardiness is not a quality I am looking for in a Beta." I scolded him. A chuckle came from Donald and I turned and glared, "And laughing at your packmates is not a quality I want in my Beta either. Being scolded is serious not a laughing matter. Or would you like to teach the pups otherwise?" Donald stiffened as he got lashed at. "No Luna. I apologize." His head dipped in embarrassment and respect. The other Challengers had remained silent through the ordeal.

"Now let's move on to stage 2. I am personally going to push you all to your limits. Once you've had enough you can ask me to stop but I want to see how far you all are willing to go for this pack. Your family. Me." I looked each of them in the eye. "Are there any of you that wish to step out now? No one would blame you. What is going to happen in that van isn't going to be like any of the other challenges." A few of them looked at each other as if they were considering it but none stepped forward. "Very well. We will go in order then. Adam your first." Together we walked to the van and I pushed him in and closed the door and locked it behind me making it soundproof, so no one would hear his screams. After 30 minutes of torture he was whimpering and looking up at me in fear. "Now Adam. Tell me how to kill your Luna." He growled and the whip cracked slicing his arm. He yelped but still muttered "Never." Suddenly the buzzer went off in my pocket and I grinned at him. "You passed." I unlocked his silver chains and helped him up and actually hugged him. "Thank you." I whispered then pulled away and tossed him a small vile."Drink this it'll heal you and give you your strength back before you come out." He nodded still looking confused. Maybe it was my methods or maybe it was my thank you but I didn't really care. I just knew I had someone I could trust. I watched him drink the vile then we left the van together and it looked like nothing had happened. "Tell no one." I whispered in his ear then called to the next and repeated the process for each of them. Connie couldn't take the 30 minutes of beatings but she refused to betray her Luna so I gave her credit for that. Other than her everyone else made the 30 minutes and no one gave up the Luna. Time for stage 3. Find the Luna.

The final 8 stood in a line as 5...10...20...30...60 minutes ticked by and still I had yet to appear. Finally Grant broke rank and went to my tent and open the flap doors and noticed I wasn't inside. "Took them long enough." I muttered. "She's gone!" Grant's frantic voice came through the speakers on the screen of the phone. I watched the screen as my little hidden camera captured the sudden outbreak of chaos. The 8 competitors looked at each other in shock. Grant was frantic. "She has to be here somewhere. She couldn't have just disappeared!" Max shook her head, "Wait don't you remember what she said. This Challenge was also about loyalty to her. She didn't just disappear! It's part of the Challenge!"

I smiled and wrote notes on my clipboard. Then watched as they calmed the pack. "Very good. Working together and everything."

At least 10 minutes passed before something interesting happened again. Grant had tried using the mate bond to contact me but I had blocked him easily because of how new it was but now he'd spotted my camera. "Damn. I thought I hid you really well. At least they are all still wearing their mics and don't even know it." I watched as Grant pulled my camera from its hiding spot and called to the others. "She's watching us. I'm not sure from where but I bet if we reverse the signal we could track it."

I glared at my mate's extremely sexy face. "Shit." I typed quickly and had the signal drop but as it did I lost all eyes on my challengers. "I may not have eyes on you anymore but I can still hear you."

I listened as they tried to reverse the signal and waited. I heard the sighs of disappointment when it didn't work. Then I heard the rustling of paper and began to wonder why they were no longer speaking. Suddenly my phone beeped. The tracker had been activated. "Clever. Very clever." I counted to three and waited for the van doors to swing open, which they did the moment three left my lips. Hopping out I grinned "Very good." Grant glared at me but I just walked past him and towards the center of the field carrying only four roses. One red, one pink, one yellow, and one white. "These four roses will go to the new advisors at the nursery, hospital, school, and camp. The pink rose goes to Connie for showing dedication to her Luna even past her limits. I trust you with taking care of our next generation. Your love and loyalty is best suited there. The white rose goes to Max for excellence in being the first to notice stage 3. It shows a strong mind, good memory, the ability to keep a level head in a chaotic situation. I trust you with our sick and wounded. I want you to run our hospital. Your loyalty to this pack runs to your bones and I think that is the perfect place for you. The yellow rose will go to Donald. He showed extraordinary strength and resistance in the van. You also kept a level head in a chaotic situation. So I believe that since you also excelled in compassion and leadership the perfect place for you would be is principal at the high school. Yes I know what you are all thinking. There is already one and he's human but he is being moved to a new school district and you will be replacing him next semester. Finally the red rose will go to Mark. You excelled so far in the loyalty in this challenge that I want none other than you to be the final Camp Leader. You will teach each and every camper the true meaning of loyalty and how important they are to this pack just as each of my Camp Leaders are. Without them my new programs wouldn't be possible so even  though not all of you can be my Beta. Each of you have a very important role to play in advancing our amazing pack." Looking at all of my pack now I smiled. "Everyone rest up if you thought the  last one was hard wait until we begin the Final Challenge."

At sunset I stood once more at the center of the field staring at the four remaining contenders. "Are you ready?" They nodded. "Shift." They did as commanded and four strong wolves stood before me waiting to see what I had in store for them.

Grinning I called out Adam's name and he stepped forward. "Your first. The Final Challenge is to battle me." Everyone seemed nervous then. The tension seemed to grow in the air. "We will go in alphabetical order. I will decide when the match is over and who won. Once everyone has competed I will then go and decide which of you will become my Beta." Once the  final word left my lips I was on four legs. I signaled the beginning of the match. We circled each other for a while with our fangs bared. Suddenly he lunged and his teeth sunk into my flank causing me to yip and barrel us over knocking him loose. Snarling I lunged for his now exposed belly. Grazing my teeth across the soft flesh. Keeping him pinned was easy."You would be dead now. I could have torn out your stomach in those two seconds. Work on your defensive tactics. Other than that you make an amazing offensive fighter." Moving away I let Adam stand and we walked back together. The other battles went by rather quickly. I critiqued each of them just as a mentor should. When everything had finished I was panting heavily from exhaustion as were the remaining four. "Shift." We all shifted and picked up the spare clothes that had been brought to the field and slipped them on. Once everyone was dressed I looked at each of them. "I am proud of each of you for making it this far. Now it's my turn to make a decision. I have four red roses and one lily. Each of you will get a flower. The one with the lily in the end is the new Beta." Handing them each a rose I smiled and sniffed the flower softly. It reminded me so much of my mother.

"Adam your loyalty runs deeper than any other and it brings me hope every time I look at you. You are both smart and strong. You are fast and diligent. You are a compassionate male and very charitable one as well. You are honorable and trustworthy. You alone resemble a perfect pack in harmony." I kissed his cheek then walked to the next person.

"Oh sweet Kale. You are a feisty one. I bet all the ladies love you." I winked at him. He chuckled but I heard Hilly, his mate, growl from the crowd. "I'm only joking. Mostly. Anyway. Kale you work well with others and of course are strong, smart, confident, and agile. Trust should be your middle name. I know you would do anything to protect your mate and your daughter. That shows dedication, loyalty and hard work. Kale you excelled in every challenge and you are going to be hard to beat. But I know right where I want you." Grinning I walked to the next person.

"Ronnie. My sweet sassy kick ass girl. Thank you. You showed me one he'll of a good time today. You showed me that even a girl can work hard enough to become a Beta without it being handed to her. I am very proud of your courage and hard work. I know how much you love to care for others however so I would like to speak with you a moment." Pulling her to the side I whispered in her ear quietly and quickly. At first she seemed a little disappointed but grinned and nodded. Announcing loudly to the pack, "Ronnie has agreed to take the position of doctor's assistant. She will be working along side our pack doctor learning everything she can and when the time comes she will take his place when he retires." The pack erupted into cheering. Our pack doctor was grinning and clapping along with the others. Of course I had discussed this with him before this challenge but she didn't need to know that. I nodded to him and he stepped forward and Ronnie walked over to her new mentor and dipped her head in respect. Then turning I stood in front of Grant. It was time to assess the final challenger.

"Grant. Strong and gallant. Courageous brave. Open minded. Stubborn. Tardy. Open mouthed. You are a lot of things. A pain in my ass especially but I don't think there isn't a moment where I would trade you for another." Grabbing him by the collar of his shirt I kissed him hard on the lips. I felt his arms wrap around my waist and felt him pick me up and we twirled in a circle once then he set me back on the ground. "Therefore you will no be the new Beta but since you are my mate you are the Alpha." Gasps rang out throughout the pack it was unheard of to get a second mate but no one argued. A few murmured, "Explains why he's joined our pack."

A snarl left my lips "Any who are angry with this can step forward now and speak their peace. I have his mate mark to prove we are mates. During my ceremony the moon goddess spoke to me and said she would make Grant my new mate because Kira, his mate, had died and we already know what Blake did." Seconds ticked by and no one stepped forward they seemed to have all fallen weak to my new power. Taking a deep breath I looked at Adam and Kale. "You two are the remaining Challengers. I have decided which one of you is to be my Beta. The other will be the new lead warrior. My third in command. Our new Beta is..."

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Cliffhanger...!

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