Worthless

When did he learn all of this? 

He never recalled himself studying medical stuff or even self-instructing himself about doing first aid. The obsidian eyes of his eyed at the bandaged ankle. It looked perfect like it was done by an experienced medic. 

Even though he wanted to praise himself for having a knack for it, he was still confused. 

How? 

When? 

Why couldn't he recall it? 

He might not remember it psychologically, but physically, his body, more importantly, his muscle memory, was working exceptionally well. This particular movement and action he did was without conscious thought as if it was a result of something he had frequently done before. Not now, but before. 

Way before he suffered amnesia. 

Jian Yu bit his lips and stared down at his hands, which were still covered in thick gloves. He honestly wasn't sure what to feel. Was he supposed to be happy that he had such a handy trick up his sleeves or should he be more concerned about the fact that he knew how to do such a thing? 

Where did he learn it? 

Who did he learn it from? 

His mother? Impossible, his mother knew almost nothing about medical stuff. 

Jian Yu frowned. "Broken ribs?" 

"Huh?" Wincing, Zeke was quite startled as he was being talked to. A few minutes ago, he had been trying to get Jian Yu's attention, which he failed miserably. "No, just a bruise, I hope so." 

The Silverette Beta was worried, unknowingly reaching out and ran his hand not so lightly across the Alpha's thick clothed ċhėst and Zeke hissed. Jian Yu gave Zeke a pointed look and the other averted his gaze like a professional. 

The Beta sighed and shook his head. This Alpha was acting like a tough guy. 

Fractured ribs. 

Not broken, but definitely fractured. 

"..."

Damn it. It happened again. How the hell did he know it was either fractured or broken just by touching it?! 

Jian Yu wanted to groan out loud. Frustrated that he couldn't get his mind out of it. 

No, he needed to calm down. He had to sort out his priority, which was surviving the cold night. Get the tournament done. Question Zeke's courting intention. 

Yeah. That's it. 

Having deluded himself into calming down, the Beta took a quick glance at Zeke. He was not going anywhere in this condition, well, not like THEY could go anywhere. It was dark and scary outside the cave, and traveling in the forest during these moments was a terrible idea. 

It was worse than their extra roommate, who had deemed them as dumb humans for the time being; thank you very much, Mrs. Wolfie. 

Jian Yu pushed all the unrelated matters into the back of his mind and began to establish his planned steps. He picked himself up in resignation and went hunting for twigs. 

He wasn't exactly an expert in surviving in the wilderness, but making fire was quite efficacious, right? Not only could it keep them warm but also to ward off wild animals or did it not? 

Should Mrs. Wolfie and her pups be counted as wild animals or friendly neighbours? 

Yet it seemed, the problems didn't lie there. The books or whatever survival stuff he had read before never really elaborate and neglected how difficult it was to light a fire. It was really frustrating that Jian Yu felt like coughing blood. 

Zeke was snickering at the side and the Beta got right back at him every time the Alpha hurt himself at every attempt to laugh at him. 

After so long, there were no bursting flames like he had expected, only thin smoke came out as the moisture from the tree branches reduced any possibility of creating a fire. 

It wasn't until he was this close to give up that Zeke poked at his arm hesitantly before handing him a box of matches that Jian Yu felt rage bubbling up inside him that he wanted to strangle the Alpha. 

Finally able to make a small bonfire, Jian Yu settled himself down near the cave mouth, right across Zeke with the fire in between them. He leaned back against the rough stone wall and finally let himself relax. 

XXX

The silverette wasn't sure how long had passed until he had to jerk himself awake, shocked that he actually dozed off. The feeling of waking up abruptly felt like his heart had dropped to the bottom. 

Though the mother wolf didn't appear threatening for the time being, no one knew when she would finally snap. 

Besides… 

That wasn't the only reason Jian Yu snapped awake. The feeling of cold and wet nose on the palm of his hand and the sound of sniffing was really breaking down his mental state. 

Slowly, he pried his eyes open and looked at Zeke who sat across him. The man looked like he was asleep. His silky black bangs had fallen over his forehead, making him appear much younger. 

His lips were parted as he breathed, slow and even, which was a good sign. 

He then peeked out from the corner of his eyes to see a pair of small fuzzy ears loitering so close to him. It was so close that Jian Yu jumped at the coldness of wet snout that accidentally poked his hand. In the end, he couldn't even pretend to be asleep anymore. 

The Beta blinked and watched as it bounced on its paws and sniffed the air at Jian Yu's direction. 

The Beta could feel the gaze of its mother watching him carefully before she gave a soft bark and the curious little one scurried back towards her, though it's small head turned back quite a few times as it watched Jian Yu with open interest.