The Mating Run by Leeka

Ask anyone around here, and they’ll tell all they know about Victor Craft.

Considering all that he has done, it’s a mystery why he isn’t better known.

Not only is he the Alpha’s son, but he’s also the only one who can talk back to him without consequences. With his broad shoulders and towering height, Alpha Craft could easily snap a person in half if he wanted to.

Upon reflection, it becomes clear to me that I did, in fact, witness him doing it.

Victor is notorious for the wild parties he throws in City Hall, where booze flows freely, drugs are passed around, and s**ual escapades are the norm.

I am never extended an invitation to those events, of course.

Even though Ettie has received a few invitations, she disregards them because I’m not part of the guest list.

She has permission to invite me as her plus one, but she won’t because she believes the place is teeming with the wrong crowd. The pack can get pretty wild when the Alpha’s son supervises the parties, so I don’t disagree with her.

The Alpha’s generally stern, but he shows a softer side when it comes to his son. He makes it his mission to make up for the loss of our Luna by showering Victor with all the love and affection he can muster. The bastard seems to be enjoying it immensely.

It’s clear that his father’s influence has granted him special treatment, as he’s 26 and shouldn’t have been allowed to register in the Mating Run in the first place.

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Despite knowing all these things, Victor refuses to move away from me, which makes me uncomfortable.

The man’s hold on me is so tight that I can barely breathe, his body pressed tightly against mine.

Victor’s arrogant demeanor is on full display as he greets people, expecting them to be just as enthralled with him as he is with himself. Although I could talk to them, I choose not to, and Miles advises me to concentrate on the crucial sponsors.

There is no need for me to draw attention to myself amongst the other contenders.

With us only knowing each other for a few minutes, Victor introduces me to others as if we’ve been in a relationship for years.

“Yeah! Check out Alina. She’s gorgeous, huh?”

With our cheeks pressed together, I can feel the heat emanating from Victor’s body as he downs more vodka from the bottle. While the woman glares at Victor’s arm around my shoulder, I attempt to smile and make the situation less uncomfortable.

“I’m already head over heels for her, even though we just met today. I’m gonna chase her down as soon as the game starts.”

His comment makes my skin crawl as the woman in front of us erupts in laughter.

“Alina?”

Hearing the voice I know so well, I turn to look over my shoulder, away from Victor.

A smile has already formed on my face when I see Ettie, but it instantly vanishes when I see the clothes she has on. As I look at her attire, confusion washes over me, and I can’t help but furrow my brow.

strapless dress and

her, I can’t help but notice how identical

Ettie’s blonde hair allows her face to be fully exposed, revealing her natural beauty. The

again, and suddenly, Ettie seems like a stranger to me,

the

mind drifts off until Victor’s question jolts me back to the present, and I cough to regain my

as I pull away from him, unaccustomed to walking in such high heels, and make my way over

look

she speaks to me, Ettie

I force a smile on

in my throat, preventing me from meeting her eyes. Maybe it’s

in close behind me, his arms on either side of

I can tell Victor’s smirking from the way he drawls his words, even though I’m not looking at him. “I think you look pretty too, stranger,

a strand of hair around her finger

bugging me about why I signed up, and I finally tell her it’s because of you. So, she says I’m a good friend, and then we start talking

my own words, I reassure myself that it’s okay as I stammer through my words. My confidence wanes as I realize that Ettie’s beauty outshines mine, now that we’re wearing the same dress. Everyone knows that Victor is a liar, so his words are anything but true. “Wow, Ettie… You look great! When

her eyes show a hint

hours ago. My bad for not approaching you sooner. I

is playing a role in that. “You were talking to the mall owners, aren’t you? Oh yeah,

grins again, clearly

silence pass before Victor squeezes his arms around my shoulders, leading me to the bar. His purring is so close to my ear, I can feel

you say we make this night

mutual understanding, but I can’t help feeling relieved by Victor’s presence, which alleviates the

won’t hurt, right, Ettie? This is the

responsible one, Ettie carefully considers her options before acting. Without even glancing at Victor, she fixes her

Alina. Drinking isn’t really our

a nonchalant wave of his hand,

and Alina needs

cheek brushing against

face, Alina? Come on, you’re way

up, we’re already coming to drink with

and fucking smart,

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the thrill of being the center of Victor’s attention, even as my

of glasses continues throughout the evening, and my happiness grows. With every passing moment, I’m increasingly aware that registering

take it easy. You’re going

on my shoulder sending a calming feeling through me. He lifts a bottle of vodka to my lips, and I accept it eagerly. Ettie’s eyes bore into me, but my thoughts are muddled, leaving me uncertain if she’s

a party pooper, Ettie. Let her enjoy

the alcohol spreading through my veins. With each sip, I feel

decide that I won’t let

parades me around the sponsors all night, cajoling them to promise me special gifts for the Mating Run. The Alpha’s son is highly regarded, and they’re thrilled at the