The Mating Run by Leeka

Victor's eyes flicker with barely-contained anger, his jaw taut as if holding back a
scream.
I stand there awkwardly, feeling the warmth of Victor's embrace and the rise and
fall of his chest. The party is in full swing around us, and despite the tension
boiling between father and son, the music blares on. As Alpha Craft addresses
his son, his voice is low and commanding, leaving no room for argument.
“Victor, I am interested in knowing about your plans for the future.” I feel the fear
creeping up my spine just from the sound of Alpha Craft's voice. “Living in this
manner and discarding all that I've sacrificed for you is not a viable option. As
you are no longer a child, it's time for you to grow up.”
Defiance drips from Victor's voice as his arrogance flares.
“The thing is, I'm living my life on my own terms. I'm not obligated to live the way
you want me to.”
Tension hangs in the air like a thick fog, and I can feel it pressing down on me. As
Victor seethes with anger, I struggle to find the right words to calm him down. I
press my ear against Victor's chest and can hear the deafening sound of his
heart pounding.
Watching the tense standoff, I make the decision to intervene before things
escalate any further.
Victor's arms reluctantly release me, and I turn to face Alpha Craft, my heart
racing with a mix of fear and respect. He looks at me blankly, not giving away any
emotion. Alpha Craft's appearance mirrors Victor's in many ways, though the
thick, wild beard on his face accompanied by the dozen wrinkles on his forehead
is a noticeable difference.
The beard on his face does not hide the fact that he’s frowning at me.
“Alpha Craft,” I speak up, keeping my voice respectful and unwavering. “l am so
sorry. Allow me to introduce myself. My name's Alina Mockett, and I'm in the
running for the Mating Run as well.”
Alpha Craft's eyes flick from Victor to me, and I feel a shiver climb up my spine.
It's not until a few moments later that I realize there is a man standing next to him
emanating an air of strength and alertness.
He has a statuesque frame, black hair, and a complexion that glimmers like gold
in the sun. Scars adorn both of his powerful arms. I can feel his penetrating stare
on me as he observes me, his presence exuding authority. I blink and turn
around to see if someone is behind me, but no, his piercing glare is directed at
me.
With a nod, Alpha Craft acknowledges my greeting, his voice rough but
controlled.
“I am delighted to meet you, Alina. I hope that you are fully equipped to face the
challenges that await you when the Mating Run starts.”
In response, I give a nervous nod, determined to push forward.
“That's right, Alpha Craft. I'm gonna give it my all during the Mating Run.”
As our conversation progresses, I can't help but be fixated on the imposing figure
next to Alpha Craft. He stands still, watching over the Alpha without uttering a
word. He has an air of superiority as he stands there, arms behind his back, and
gives me a disdainful look.
Alpha Craft doesn’t even bother introducing whoever he is.
Victor meets Alpha Craft's piercing gaze as he turns to him once again. Each
time he opens his mouth, I'm left breathless, my jaw dropping in shock. Victor
winces at every word, feeling the calculated edges of his father's words slice
through him.
“Victor,” Alpha Craft begins to speak, his measured but stern voice commanding
attention. “You have consistently been impulsive and shown little inclination
towards responsibility. Your belief in your own intelligence and dependability may
be overstated. If you could emulate the gentleman beside me, our conversation
would be unnecessary.”
Despite his rising anger, Victor keeps his mouth shut, his jaw tensed and nostrils
flared. Just as the tension is about to reach its peak, I step in, heading straight for
the man who has been shooting daggers at me.
“Excuse me, but I don’t think we've been introduced. Who are you?”
I repeat my question, but the man remains unresponsive, as if I'm not even there.
Alpha Craft chuckles beside him, breaking the silence that would have otherwise
followed my question.
Alpha Craft's face is beaming with pride as he slaps the man’s back.
“Certainly, Alina. I regret not introducing him earlier and apologize for my
oversight.” He turns to the imposing figure, his smile unnaturally wide and forced,
unlike the one he reserves for his son. “Allow me to introduce Zeke Duncke, who
happens to be the nephew of one of the High Council Elders. He is poised to
assume the role of head of security and is also a contender in the Mating Run.”
I receive no greeting or smile from Zeke, just a nod of acknowledgment and his
hands clasped tightly behind his back. With a chuckle, Alpha Craft shows no
signs of being done yet, his eyes fixated on Zeke with a glint of satisfaction.
“And you know, he’s also a potential candidate for the role of Alpha,” Zeke
stiffens, and I hear Victor scoffing behind me simultaneously. Alpha Craft's
laughter echoes through the room, but his smile quickly fades as he clasps his
hands together and fixes a stern gaze on Victor. “Nevertheless, if Victor is
successful in finding an ideal mate, he will assume the Alpha position with ease.
He has achieved the appropriate age and acquired the requisite education.”
“But I gotta find a mate that meets your standards? Right, father?”
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The only sound coming from Alpha
Craft is a soft, melodic hum. He nods
at us and takes a few steps before
disappearing from sight. Zeke lingers
behind, his gaze fixed on the floor
beneath his feet, his jaw locked. The
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Hearing the news that the position he had been working hard to obtain is going to
be given to the Alpha’s son solely because of nepotism must be a devastating
blow.
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« )
Hey, don’t worry about what my
RRS , .
father said.” Victor's voice, usually
booming, is surprisingly gentle as he
) a 5
speaks. It's surprising to see him
genuinely feeling sorry for the guy.
With a smile on his face, he extends
his hand towards Zeke in a friendly
" I
gesture. “How about joining us for
3 ; 3
drinks? It's gotta be tough standing
n .
by my father all day.” The content is
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chapter there!
Zeke's eyes narrow into slits as he looks at Victor's hand, as if he’s trying to burn
a hole through it with his stare. Victor's expression remains stupid, seemingly
oblivious to what's happening.
“Zeke?”
“Don't f**king say my name.”
Zeke's unexpected harsh words cause Victor to flinch in surprise.
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Zeke, seizing the opportunity of
S ’ > :
Victor's shock, strides towards him
and deliberately collides with his
shoulder, causing Victor to lose his
balance and tumble backwards.
Helping Victor up, I crouch down with
a gasp while Zeke growls low
beneath his breath as he walks past
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“Don't let me catch you on the trail, Craft. I'm killing you first.”