The Mating Run by Leeka

In His Eyes: Coup

Zeke’s POV

Leaving the Alpha’s office, I am consumed by a sense of heaviness in my heart and a dense fog of confusion and despair that lingers in my mind. I feel the weight of disappointment pressing down on me, like a suffocating blanket that smothers my spirit and leaves me feeling completely disoriented. It feels as though everything I have tirelessly labored for has been mercilessly ripped away from me, leaving me floating aimlessly in a tumultuous sea of doubt.

The corridors of City Council are filled with the faint echoes of voices and footsteps, as if I am trapped in a bubble of my own desolation. I try to focus on the world around me, but my thoughts are louder, drowning out everything else with their relentless intensity.

An overwhelming sense of betrayal consumes me, manifesting as a bitter taste of resentment and regret that lingers in the back of my throat. I sacrificed countless hours and made relentless efforts to reach this point, to prove my worthiness of the Alpha title, only to have it cruelly taken away from me in an instant.

But then, was it ever truly under my ownership to begin with?

The memory of the lives I have taken haunts my conscience, an ever–present reminder of the darkness I’ve embraced in my quest for power. I transformed into a person I never aspired to be – a mere shadow of my former self. Ambition consumed me, driving me relentlessly to achieve success no matter the sacrifices.

And for what purpose? The position I had been assured of, the recognition I had so desperately desired, turned out to be nothing but an empty promise. It feels like a cruel twist of fate, a heartbreaking reminder of how little control I have over the circumstances that shape my life.

I attempt to fight off the tide of despair that looms over me, but it proves to be a fruitless battle. The darkness surrounds me, its suffocating grip tightening, and I am left feeling stranded like a ship lost amidst crashing waves, with no beacon of

hope to guide me back to safety.

As I stumble through the corridors, the echoes of my heavy and uncertain footsteps reverberate, intensifying the sense of foreboding that grips me. Like a bottomless void, the future unfolds before me, shrouded in darkness, leaving me unable to discern a path forward.

Sinking onto the barren, chilly bench, I can feel bitterness and resentment seeping into every fiber of my being. Consumed by animosity, it feels as if fiery flames are devouring me from within, leaving only smoldering remains.

In my mind, thoughts swirl like a raging storm, growing more poisonous with each passing moment.

Victor. It’s always been Victor.

The source of my frustration, my anger, my despair. Sitting here now, I can’t help but feel like a failure, as if fate has dealt me an unjust hand – all because of him.

I should have realized from the very beginning that the Alpha had a strong bias towards his son. It’s hard to believe I was so oblivious. The weight of expectations always rested on Victor’s shoulders, as he was regarded as the golden child, destined to be the future Alpha. And no matter how hard I tried, no matter how much blood, sweat, and tears I poured into proving myself worthy, I never stood a chance against him.

It’s not fair.

It’s not right.

This is the way things have always been, and it doesn’t appear that they will ever be different. Each day, the Alpha’s favoritism becomes more suffocating, weighing me down like an anchor of despair around my neck.

I feel trapped in a never–ending cycle of disappointment and frustration, a heavy weight of hopelessness settling in my chest. No matter what I do, no matter how hard I try, I’ll always be second best, always be overshadowed by Victor and his privileged position as the Alpha’s son. However, the blame cannot be solely placed

on Victor. The Alpha is also to blame for this. He’s the one who set this entire unfair game in motion, making the arbitrary decision that Victor deserved to be Alpha solely because of his bloodline.

He was the one who instilled a glimmer of possibility in me, only to abruptly snatch it away in the end.

me, and as I turn, Alina appears, crouching in front of me

“What’s wrong?”

myself speechless, unable to find the right words to reply. How can I burden her with my own problems

and she continues to push forward. When she reaches out and touches my hand, I feel a

mates, Zeke,” she says softly. “We’re supposed

share our burdens.”

together, through thick and thin. Taking a deep breath, I exhale slowly, gathering the courage to finally find my voice.

my voice barely above a whisper. “I had something promised to me, but it

concern, her eyes seem to silently implore me to be honest and vulnerable. “What did

to find my voice and speak up. Inhaling deeply, I brace

asked me to be

look of surprise flashed across Alina’s face, quickly followed by a flicker

a nod, bitterness floods over me, tingling through my veins and

to make sure that Victor seamlessly

face!” Frustration fills Alina’s voice as she shouts. With anger etched on her face, she rises and vigorously runs her fingers through her hair. “After everything you’ve done, after all the sacrifices you’ve made! Now he wants you to help Victor

guiding me through the crowd. Overwhelmed by the Alpha’s decision, my mind is still spinning, leaving me with no strength to fight back. Trusting her instincts, I allowed her to guide me, curious about where she

do this to me. And with each word, I feel a mix of gratitude and guilt wash over me. I am grateful for

trailed behind Alina through the Council Hall’s hallways, the cold, unyielding floor amplified the sound of my echoing footsteps. Although I’m unsure of our destination, I have faith in Alina’s ability to

a door guarded by a stern–looking man in uniform, his eyes scanning the surroundings with unwavering focus. Stepping forward, Alina’s

“Let us in.”

as if we were mere phantoms drifting through the darkness. As Alina’s patience wears thin, her frustration simmers, teetering on the edge of boiling over. Without any warning, her hand shoots out and clenches onto the guard’s collar, her grip tightening like a vice as she yanks him closer.

said, let

her away, his movements full of aggression. The moment I step forward to intervene, a powerful and fiery anger wells up

you f**king touch her!”

him, my fingers digging into his shoulders as I forcefully push him against the wall. With my grip tightening around him, the guard’s eyes widen in terror, realizing that

place. As if on cue, Victor appears before us. Bandages wrap tightly around his face, and an eyepatch is worn over one eye. It’s clear that he’s been through a grueling experience, his weary posture and haggard appearance speaking volumes.

all this noise about?”

me. In front of us stands Victor, the man who has brought us nothing but trouble, and

wanted to be allowed inside. Don’t sweat

can get

fingers combing through his tousled hair as he weighed our request. He looks tired, defeated even, and I can’t help but wonder what he’s

he finally speaks, his determination unwavering. “I have something to discuss with them anyway.”

but ultimately nods in acknowledgment and steps aside, making way for our entry. Alina and I share a glance, and I sense a hint of uncertainty in her eyes. Reluctantly, we had

enter Victor’s room, we are greeted by an atmosphere filled with palpable tension and uncertainty. With a distant gaze, Victor finds refuge in his bed, his eyes fixated on the softness of the blanket beneath him. It’s so quiet, the absence of sound creating an eerie atmosphere as we each wrestle with our own thoughts and emotions.

keeps fixating on his eyepatch, and I

keeps quiet, his eyes fixated on the floor, lost

do you want to be the Alpha, Zeke?”

fervent intensity as he asks the question. His unexpected question catches me off guard, causing me to stumble and lose my composure. His words hang heavily in the air,

to look at Alina, she meets my gaze and nods, her reassuring touch on my hand giving me comfort. Exhaling deeply, I stand firm and confidently respond to Victor with a