The Alpha's Run Away Mate

Opening His Heart

The devil works hard. But those desperate old men probably longing to witness romance, intimacy, and a bond slowly being crafted by destiny and the moon work harder.

Or maybe they are just too eager and desperate to watch him develop a new potential vulnerability. Upon bonding with a mate, Alphas often turn susceptible to physical or emotional harm— that, being both their strength and weakness. Especially when werewolves attack their mate and try to harm the other half of his heart. Somehow, he felt like the wanted to get rid of him— it was the anxiousness speaking, telling him everyone would start turning their backs on him after a few of his closest persons did.

The elders were quick to set him up in blind dates and scheduled meet ups with women they deem ‘worthy’ to become the future Luna of Howling Tribe. In his mind, only Emily appears. Only that woman is worthy to be his Luna, to be his mate and bear his children.

One of the girls they picked Jillian Hornet, the only daughter of Jake and Lily Hornet. She belongs to a wealthy and respected family of werewolves residing in Howling Tribe. Carrying a high confidence and undeniable poise, she is also apparently popular among the pack's men.

Those facts alone, when he was made aware of through a brief introduction before Jillian walked in, was enough to throw Lucas off for some reason. Her records are not as fine, and she sounds like a brat, just one spoiled girl who is used to getting what she wants without sacrificing a drop of sweat.

To be fair, when he first saw the girl in her elegant white dress, Lucas already admitted to himself that Jillian Hornet is beautiful. The girl has a cute face and a body to die for. Any werewolf would get down on their knees if she tells them to— just not him.

“Alpha Lucas, I have always been a fan. I have wanted to meet you for so long now,” Jillian started, “If you can just give me a chance, I will offer you all I have— although it is not much. I have stayed untouched just for this day, just so I could give you my most precious self as a whole. If you desire, you can take me.”

Lucas did not like her vibes at all. It seemed as if she only wants to get close to the pack's Alpha and become the Luna for it will grant her the power and one of the highest and most respected positions in the pack, next to the Alpha and his Beta.

Lucas did not want to make their conversation and interaction longer. He rejected her as soon as he was able to. And Jillian Hornet left the pack house with tears dripping down her face, her heart broken and torn down to pieces.

Confusingly enough to Lucas, after he agreed to the requests of the pack's officer, Alexander has begun acknowledging his existence once more.

It was as if his Beta was a friend who spent a few months away from him. Suddenly, as he came back from dreaming, all turned well. He was also supportive in the search for Lucas's Luna.

For once and for no one knows when, Alexander smiled at him when they passed by each other. He was acting as if nothing happened and no arguments has previously damaged their friendship.

The second in line was a simple girl named Trisha Valerie Storm. She does not hold any significant value, and that is what intrigued Lucas.

She came from a family so unheard of. Living near the boundaries of the pack's territory, a place somehow getting neglected either intentionally or not by the Capital. Despite having such lousy background the higher ups would not have agreed to let pass the initial evaluation, Trisha made it through by Lucas's own wish.

And God, did it not disappoint the Alpha to pick her.

Trisha is a gentle girl, young and pure, shy and reserved. She is nice and kind, someone who cares about people around her more than herself. She is the closest candidate to Emily so far... but Lucas does not want to taint a precious girl like her, does not want to use her as a rebound when he is literally still in love with only one woman— Emily.

“Alpha, I am sorry, but... I did not really want to do this. Offer myself as a possible candidate to be your mate and Luna, that is,” Trisha confessed, her head hanging low as she waited for Lucas's response.

Sitting with the Alpha by the lakefront, the air in her lungs seemed to have started thickening and it was getting harder to breathe the longer the silence reigned between their resting figures.

And it went on until Lucas broke the tension through an unusually loud chuckle.

“Did I... say something wrong, Alpha?”

“You did not,” he replied, still giggling, “I am just glad you told me. We are not different, after all. Because I, too, was only forced to do this— to find a mate and Luna. That gives us the same relief, then. Why did you do it?”

“It is... because of my mother, Alpha,” she replied, “She kept asking me to do it and take a chance. She said maybe this is the way we can pull out from being poor...”

“It is a gamble, and you took the best route to tell me before something drastic happens. I admire your ways for that, Trisha. And please drop the honorifics, you can call me Lucas whenever you want to. This may not work the way they would have initially imagined, but hey, you can have me as a friend.”

Trisha smiled, and Lucas knew it was one of the most genuine the girl has ever shown him since a week ago when they started meeting.

“Alpha—”

“It is Lucas for you, Trisha.”

“Lucas,” she muttered, testing the waters and waiting for a reaction. When she got none and the Alpha seemed to have acted normally, she smiled, then continued, “They have warned me about you. I will admit I was wary during the first few days. I was afraid you would yell at me or punish me if I mess up one bit. But you are so easy going instead...”

“Perceptions are sometimes misleading, Trisha. They do not give up a tad of time to get to know me, so they are left with a faulty impression,” Lucas said, as if he does not care what they think of him, “I do not blame them, though. There are times I become an ass.”

“I am sorry if that offended you, Lucas,” she apologized almost immediately in fear of pushing the Alpha through his limits. Which did not happen, anyway.

“It is okay,” Lucas said, soothing her anxiety. “I do understand. And I do not really care what others think.”

“You know, this is the first time I have met you in person, even if I literally live in the pack you yourself lead,” she giggled, “I have only heard a few things about you, and I apologize for somehow believing their exaggeration before I came here after I heard the news that you picked to meet me yourself. ”

“Not to worry, Alpha Lucas. I will spread the wisdom and kindness of our Alpha, whatever it takes. I do not wish to succeed, but at least to defend you when they speak in my face. Especially now that I have seen how good your heart is. Thank you for allowing me to be your friend.”

“I truly appreciate your determination. And I wish to see you here again soon, Trisha. You do not know how thankful I am that you became my friend.”

Meeting Trisha was an eye opener.

As to when it all started, he did not know. But now, he is certain that Howling Tribe is not as perfect as others think it is, or as how he thinks it is. The government still has flaws, no matter how he tried his best to manage the whole pack.

The werewolves living in the fringes of Howling Tribe needed help, but neglected from time to time. Sometimes, even unsafe from external attacks. And every now and then, they experience hunger and starvation.

As an Alpha willing to be changed and become the best version of himself, Lucas took the challenge alongside Alexander and tended to the poor. Fairly distributing goods and services to those who needed it the most outside of the Capital.

Through determination and Alexander's support, Lucas swore he will become the best Alpha Howling Tribe will ever have. And that he will never let his own emotions hinder his growth, instead, he will use it to become better. So when he meets Emily again, he would have something new to tell her, and it is an achievement he could be proud of.

When he meets Emily again...