The Mating Run by Leeka

Zeke’s POV

In His Eyes: Coward

Cowards can be easily spotted, as they tend to hide in the same place, cowering and avoiding any confrontation.

Victor Craft is an manipulative bastard who would stop at nothing to achieve his goals, even if it meant causing harm to others. With his father being the Alpha, he’s well aware of the privileges that come with it, allowing him to escape consequences for the most part. The only source of tension between him and his father arises from his father’s aspiration for him to pursue the same path, a desire that Victor vehemently rejects.

The length of time I have known him surpasses his knowledge of my presence, and this is a reality that I despise. Having spent my whole life in the shadow of others, I knew that the people of Springcrest Pack could benefit from someone like me who excelled at bringing structure and organization. If only they could see Victor Craft’s true nature, they would realize he is not fit to be an Alpha.

Regardless of my abilities, an outsider leading them is met with skepticism and

lack of trust.

The forest towered above us, casting a shadow that felt ominous and foreboding. Its branches stretched out like twisted fingers, as if beckoning us towards an unknown fate. As I walked, the weight of the trees seemed to intensify, their immense presence making me feel small and insignificant.

Behind Alina and me, Ettie’s incessant complaints pierced through the silence like nails on a chalkboard, making my nerves tense up.

“We’re lost,” Filled with frustration, Ettie’s voice came out as a whine. “I told you

he didn’t know shit.”

Resisting the urge to snap back, I clenched my jaw tightly, the pressure building in my temples. Instead, I focused on putting one foot in front of the other,

the scent of damp earth and decaying bodies filling my nostrils as I trudged through the dense underbrush. Like a sharp knife, Alina’s voice pierced through the tension, leaving no room for doubt with its unwavering firmness.

“Stop complaining, Ettie,” Alina retorted, her voice laced with a hint of annoyance. Alina’s tired too, even though she may not admit it. We have been

walking for hours, and our weary footsteps echo through the quiet forest. “We need to trust Zeke.”

Glancing back at them over my shoulder, I locked eyes with Alina, her determined stare matching my own.

“Thanks,” I said gruffly, my voice laced with frustration. “We need to keep

moving.”

With a resolute expression, Alina nodded in agreement, her conviction evident. As I start to relax, thinking everything is fine and our journey can proceed peacefully, I’m startled by the sound of Alina clearing her throat. As I focus my sight ahead of us, I notice Alina quickening her pace to match step with me, her footsteps echoing in sync with mine. Trying my hardest to maintain composure, I turn to face her, suppressing the urge to let out a sigh.

air, her voice wavering with uncertainty. With a firm tug, she secures her backpack against her back, her eyes darting from side to side as she bites her lips in apprehension. “It feels like we’re going in circles.”

finger to my lips, I motioned for them to stay

tersely, my tone leaving no room for argument.

sound or movement that could indicate danger. As we walked deeper into the forest, the trees seemed to tighten their grip, their twisted branches creating haunting shadows on the forest floor. Giving them a proper answer was my intention, but the silence was essential for the

intuition as well, but I’ve always had a knack for reading

we stumbled upon a clearing where a towering tree stood, its branches reaching up as if trying to touch the sky. Its silent vigilance. was palpable, as if its watchful gaze was constantly upon us, weighing us down. Silently, I unburdened myself of my backpack and passed it to Alina,

my ascent.

reached my ears, its confused tinge

pause.

What are you

her question entirely. The sound of my heavy breathing filled the air as I started to climb, my muscles working hard to pull myself up into the branches above. Ignoring the pain, I pressed on, feeling the rough bark scrape against my skin as I climbed higher. With each step higher, the sounds of the world below grew fainter, replaced by the rustling of leaves and chirping of

voice cut through the air, filled with sharp accusations. “You’re just lost, aren’t you, Zeke? You’re too proud to admit it, so you’re climbing up there to save face.”

my jaw tightly and pressed on, determined to reach the top. The branches beneath me swayed with an unsettling rhythm, adding an element of danger as I balanced above the forest floor. But I remained steadfast in my determination. There was a mission that needed to be accomplished, and I was willing to overcome any obstacle. If Victor had possessed my qualities, he could have been an

I finally reached the top of the tree, and the breathtaking view of the forest below took my

before me in a breathtaking display of green and brown, as I observed it from my elevated vantage point. The gentle breeze caused the trees to sway, and their leaves whispered a soft melody

stillness of the forest and the sound of leaves rustling in the gentle breeze. Frustration overwhelmed me, causing a heavy sigh to escape my lips and my shoulders to slump in

it be that I had been mistaken this whole time? Maybe Ettie had been right all along, and perhaps I should have just confessed to it. I can’t stand the fact that Ettie was right–it’s infuriating. Clicking my tongue in

on the verge of giving up, I caught

sound resonating through the trees. Adrenaline surged through my veins, my heart pounding in my chest, as I desperately tried to pinpoint the origin of the sound. With heightened senses, I dedicated myself to listening intently, hoping to catch any hint of motion or activity. And then, it came into view, capturing my attention. In the distance, a sudden burst of movement caught her eye – a figure clumsily darting between

lunged forward without hesitation, the feel of branches brushing against my skin and the rustling sound of leaves filled the air, intensifying my pursuit of the fleeting figure. My senses were on high alert, and my instincts were razor–sharp as I embarked on the hunt. With anticipation coursing through me, I pursued the elusive target, my breath coming

my anticipation grew, and I could feel my

Eyes Coward

if it were a mere illusion, the figure faded into the dense foliage, abandoning me to the oppressive solitude of the forest’s darkness. A frustrated growl escaped my lips, as my clenched fists trembled with anger. I muttered curses quietly under my breath. Nonetheless, I was determined and refused to be discouraged.

going down, of that I was certain, and nothing was going to stand

my way.

them, and the distant cry of a bird added a touch of melody to the surroundings. In the midst of the jumble of noises, my

my target–a swift, shadowy figure leaping from branch to branch. Victor Craft. He sees me first, his gaze fixating on me before I have a chance to see him. He lets out a string of curses,

is utter

snarl, I leaped forward, closing the distance between us in a matter of seconds.

my fingers gripping the fabric tightly as I pushed him down onto the forest floor, feeling the branch beneath us. He fought against me, but my strength easily overwhelmed him, leaving him powerless beneath me. With a

from my throat, “All the risks I had to take, all the dangers I had