The Alpha's Run Away Mate

Last Time

If only Lucas knew that the last moment they spent in arguing would also be the last time he would ever see Emily inside the Howling Tribe's territory, he swore he would have hugged his mate as tight as he could, like he wouldn't want to ever let go. He swore he would have kissed her lips like never before, as if those luscious muscles are his lifeline and taking it off would cost his life. He would have showered Emily with unconditional love, told her how precious she is to him, showed her everything he could offer, and made her feel like the most important person in Lucas's world.

And maybe, just maybe, Emily would have changed her mind, she would have chosen to stay.

Lucas swore he would have told Emily every single thing he feels for her, every single time Emily made him feel complete, every single moment he wishes to spend with her, till eternity and beyond. He would have pronounced how Emily's smile brightens up his day. How he wants to retain the sound of the girl's laugh echoing in his skull, for it was music to his ears. How he heals from his deep wounds with the sight of her.

He swore he would have assured Emily once more, and twice, that no one would ever be able to harm her as long as he is breathing. Or at least he would have told her he would willingly drop out from being the alpha just to keep her near, just to keep her beside him...

Besides, being the pack's Alpha was never his main goal to begin with, anyway, even though he admits his capabilities— his strength, his bravery, his discipline, his intelligence, as well as the natural leadership that runs in his blood. If one would be asked, they would say he was born to lead the pack just like his predecessors. But still, he never truly wanted it, he never yearned to acquire the highest seat in the pack.

If not with his father entrusting him the pack before the older Sullivan died, or if he had an older brother to inherit the position instead, Lucas knew he would have chosen to just remain as a normal pack member. Away from the pressure of guiding the pack to prosperity and betterment. Away from the expectations the pack has always believed he would achieve as their leader. Away from the current responsibilities lying above his shoulders.

And now, most importantly, he hated how he had to choose his pack over Emily. Inevitably, because he has no other choice anymore.

If he had a chance, he would have chosen Emily. However, before he knew that it was coming, the next thing he was made aware of was how Alexander came running inside his room in the pack house, telling him that Emily was nowhere to be found anywhere inside the pack's territory.

“Pardon?” His forehead scrunched. From slacking, he pushed himself up and flashed steps toward his right hand. “What do you mean by... Emily is gone?”

“Alpha, we looked for Emily everywhere,” Alexander replied, still panting from their earlier task to find Emily's presence, only to fail, “We asked other pack members if they have seen the girl, too, but since last night when she came running out of the pack house, no one has. Emily might have ran away— or something came up. Did you two have a fight—?”

“We fought. But that is not enough for her to leave...” Lucas felt a lump in his throat, forming and blocking his airway.

His chest tightened. His breathing turned ragged.

He knew what that feeling was— pain and heartbreak. The feeling of his heart getting teared to shreds, millions of pieces getting sent to far away lands, making it difficult to get fixed in an instant— maybe unless he sees sight of Emily, like an antidote pushed down a poisoned person's digestives.

It was the same when his mother passed away when he was still young. Back then, he wept, a kid he was, only a small ten year old. It was not only the pain of losing someone, it was also accompanied with the shattering realization that he could do nothing to save them and keep them with him forever.

It felt like the child who mourned for his mother's death all came back, caved in, and replaced his senses. He felt so little. Only this time, he knew he could still do something about it.

Abandoning the fearful past, Lucas ran from the pack house. And ran. And ran, round and round. With the best of his ability, he scanned the whole territory in little hopes to see even just a glimpse of the silhouette of the girl he loves the most, not even the tip of her fingers. He wished and wished to smell the faint scent of the lavender perfume Emily often wears. But to no avail. There was no trace of Emily everywhere, not even the tiniest for him to be able to track.

“Alexander, take any of Emily's things, clothes she wore, things she used— anything! Then go and find her.... wherever she might be, find her. It has only been a few hours. She must not have strayed too far yet.”

Lucas could still not believe what just happened.

To how did Emily mask her scent that even he could not find where the girl stepped, the alpha does not know. His mind was clouded with her memories, with the remembrances of their love. When those memories are still moments, he was there.

He was there when Emily cried and let out her pain upon losing everyone else, and he easily understood how unbearable it must have been for a poor girl who never had any place to go until recently.

He was there when Emily laughed at his silly jokes, when Emily smiled after picking a pink flower she planted months ago, or when she warmly watched the pack's kids run around and play catch.

He was there when Emily bursted at drunk pack members who ruined her yard and broke the ornaments she grew.

Lucas was there.

He badly wanted to retain the memory and warmth of Emily's smile in his mind. It was so bright the sun should be ashamed, so beautiful that Aphrodite might as well get jealous— and he would protect her from the goddess's curse.

“Alpha, we found her!”