Ancora Imparo

-2- Give and Take (Ezra's POV)

AN: I prefer stories that stay in one perspective, so this chapter will be the one exception in this story just to help fill in the plot's year gap. 

When Eric Grange gave you a suggestion, no matter who you were, even an Alpha like me, it was never a suggestion. It was a command. Mr. Grange (everyone in the Willow Brook pack referred to our elders with the utmost respect) was not one of the most ancient of the elders, but he was trustworthy and his gut, his instinct was always spot on.

That's how I ended up on a bus in the center of a human neighborhood. Mr. Grange approached me in my office a week ago...

/*/one week ago\*\

I was sitting in front of a filing cabinet in the back of my cluttered office, I had just finally gotten a moment alone. This room was set up for visitors, in front of my desk was a seating area that could fit up to 10 other people - two couches were hugging the walls almost blocking the bookshelves were wrapped around the room; two wicker chairs were set up directly in front of my desk from the last visit I had. Living in the pack house with my parents, 4 siblings, and a decently sized pack meant that I could barely manage 2 hours of alone time.

I could hear someone in the hallway outside and I immediately tensed, the moment of serenity was fleeting. I could tell exactly who it was, and rolled back to my desk ready to greet this unexpected visitor.

Mr. Grange was dressed formally, as usual, he was in fact an education field-work supervisor at the nearby community college and dressed to fit the part. He cleared his throat before speaking, "Alpha Ezra, I have a task for you in a weeks time, you'll have to get up at the crack of dawn, do you think you're up for it?"

I would have laughed at the statement if there wasn't an elder before me. There are not many people I would wake up before sunrise for, but... "Of course, Mr. Grange, do you have more details on what you need? Should I call Clay and Leo?"

"No need, Ezra, this task just requires you and I am sure you will find it rewarding," Mr. Grange takes a seat in one of the wicker chairs.

"How do you mean, sir?"

"I have a recent early education graduate, her name is Maelle. She will be taking an interview in a week and I task you with making sure she gets to her destination safety.

"Pardon my curiosity, but why wouldn't she get there safety?"

"It's a gut feeling of mine. However, I have a very good feeling about Maelle, you will like her very much."

I nod, "Understood, where do you need me to go?"

"Well, based on her home address and the fact that she doesn't drive she will likely take the bus. The same one she took for her field-work, if I recall correctly, which means you'll need be up by 6am if you are to be successful. She is going to the elementary school near Grace and Howard's coffee shop." Mr. Grange began to jot down the bus numbers and schedules on an sticky note and extended it to me, "Make sure Maelle gets on the bus."

/*/present day\*\

It was almost 6:30, my wolf had been restless all night making it hard to get any sleep. I was on edge, unsure why he was so active. The full moon was tonight, but this wasn't normal behavior at all. I was on my phone trying desperately to stay awake and not miss Maelle.

Of course, Mr. Grange provided me with a brief description of her: just over 5 feet, blue eyes, and dark, unruly shoulder length hair. After our meeting, I realized that I had already interacted with this girl - I wondered if that's why Mr. Grange choose me - in some online classes; out of all the humans she seemed to be the only one that actually took the time to put everything into her work so I made her my focus for any class critiques.