Chapter 4: Running from the Alpha King
1002 Words
Ruby
The moment Manson left my room, my heart pounded so loudly I thought it might break through my ribs. His words lingered in the air like an unshakable presence.
"I don’t walk away from what’s mine."
He was serious.
I knew it in the way he looked at me, in the quiet authority in his voice. Manson Lee had no intention of letting me go. And by dawn, I would be forced to leave with him.
I couldn’t let that happen.
I had spent years fighting to survive in this pack. If I went with him, I would lose everything.
Leah peeked out from the closet the moment the door clicked shut. “Are you okay?”
“No.” My voice was shaky. I forced myself to stand taller. “I have to leave.”
She nodded, already understanding. “Then we need to go now.”
My stomach twisted. “He’ll track me.”
She chewed on her lip. “Not if you hide your scent.”
I hesitated. That was risky hiding my scent would make it harder for everyone to find me. Including Leah. But did I have a choice?
Leah grabbed a small bag from the floor and shoved it into my hands. “There’s some clothes, food, and money in here. You need to go before the patrols shift.”
Tears burned the back of my eyes. I had spent years in this pack, but Leah was the only person who had ever treated me like I was worth something.
I squeezed her hand. “Thank you.”
Her eyes glistened. “Be safe.”
I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat. Then, without another word, I turned and slipped out into the night.
The forest was thick and silent, save for the rustling of leaves beneath my boots. My breath came fast, my pulse hammering.
I wasn’t just leaving my pack.
I was running from the Alpha King.
A low, panicked part of me whispered that it was impossible that someone like Manson couldn’t escape. But I forced myself to focus.
One step at a time. One breath at a time.
I followed the path Leah had told me about, weaving between the trees as I made my way toward the river at the pack’s border. If I could cross it, I could lose my scent and throw Manson’s trackers off.
I reached the riverbank within minutes. The water was cold and fast-moving, but I didn’t hesitate. I stepped in, gasping at the icy shock, and began wading through.
The moment I reached the other side, I ran.
Branches snapped beneath my boots. The cold bit at my skin. But I didn’t stop.
I couldn’t stop.
I didn’t know how long I ran. Maybe minutes. Maybe hours. But the moment I thought I was safe, the air shifted.
A deep, menacing growl shattered the silence.
I froze.
My blood turned to ice.
Slowly, I turned my head.
Manson stood just feet away, golden eyes glowing like fire in the darkness.
I didn’t hear him approach. Didn’t sense him. He had moved like a shadow like the predator he was.
His face was unreadable, but the rage in his eyes was unmistakable.
I swallowed hard. “Manson”
“You ran from me.” His voice was deceptively soft, but it held danger.
I took a step back. “I had to.”
His jaw clenched. “You didn’t.”
My breath hitched as he took a slow, deliberate step forward.
I had never seen someone move like that like a hunter, closing in on his prey.
My instincts screamed at me to run.
But it was too late.
Manson moved faster than my eyes could track. One moment he was several feet away the next, he was in front of me.
I gasped, stumbling back, but his hands caught my waist, yanking me against him.
The moment his skin touched mine, the bond flared to life, sending a rush of heat through me.
I fought against it. Against him.
He growled low in his throat. “You think you can run from me?”
I shoved at his chest. “I had no choice!”
His grip tightened, his golden eyes burning into mine. “You think I’m your enemy, little Omega?”
I glared at him. “Aren’t you?”
Something dark flickered across his face. “I’m the only one who gives a damn about you.”
His words sent a sharp, unexpected pang through my chest.
I hated how much my wolf reacted to him and how she wanted to believe him.
I shook my head. “That’s not true.”
His gaze softened just slightly. “Isn’t it?”
My breath hitched.
I wanted to deny it. To fight.
But I knew the truth.
No one in my pack had ever cared whether I stayed or left. Whether I lived or died.
No one except him.
I hated him for it.
Manson sighed, his hand brushing against my waist. “You don’t have to fight me, Ruby.”
A lump formed in my throat. “Then let me go.”
His golden eyes locked onto mine. “No.”
Something inside me shattered.
I knew he wouldn’t let me go. But hearing him say it hearing the finality in his voice was something else entirely.
My chest ached. “Why?”
His thumb brushed along my jaw. “Because you’re mine.”
His voice was soft. Unyielding. Certain.
And I hated how much it made my heart stumble.
His arms tightened around me, pulling me closer. “You’ll see it soon enough,” he murmured.
I squeezed my eyes shut.
Because deep down, I was terrified that he might be right.
And even more terrified that, when the time came…
I wouldn’t want to fight him anymore.
- Writer
