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.

stop complaining about the strapless dress and bright colors her designers had

I can’t help but notice how identical our outfits

fully exposed, revealing her natural beauty.

blink again, and suddenly, Ettie seems like a stranger

the chick,

until Victor’s question jolts me back to the

I pull away from him, unaccustomed to walking in such high heels, and make my way over to Ettie. A smile spreads across Ettie’s face as she

you look

she speaks to

behind my ear, I force a smile on

a wild, uncontrollable urge rising up in my throat, preventing me from meeting her eyes. Maybe it’s the few drinks I had earlier that

in close behind me, his arms on either side of my shoulders and his chin resting on

drawls his words, even though I’m not looking at him. “I think you look pretty too, stranger, ’cause you both

and nervously twists a strand of hair around her finger while

up while my designer is getting me ready. She keeps 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

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…

eyes show a hint of

couple of hours ago. My bad for not approaching you sooner. I got held up

My irritation towards him is slowly dissipating, and I can’t deny that the alcohol is playing a role in that. “You were talking to the mall owners, aren’t you? Oh yeah,

again, clearly uncomfortable.

me to the bar. His purring is so close to my ear, I can feel

say

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

a couple of shots won’t hurt, right,

glancing at

don’t know, Alina. Drinking

wave of his hand, Victor

party, and Alina needs to

his cheek brushing against mine. Even though I don’t know why he’s standing so close, it feels like he’s

Alina? Come on, you’re way too

already coming to

and fucking smart,

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it is, I can’t deny the thrill of being the center of Victor’s attention, even

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

take it easy. You’re going

hand 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

a party pooper, Ettie. Let

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

a deep breath and decide that I won’t let my insecurities ruin

them to promise me special gifts for the Mating Run. The Alpha’s son is highly regarded, and they’re thrilled at the possibility of