The Alphas Fated Mate

The Runaway Alpha

In his mind, feeling the earth under his wolf paws and the warm summer breeze brushing through his fur as he dashes becomes the only solace Liam finds. He hadn’t meant to stray so far from his pack territory, but he has too much weight on his shoulders after his father's death. He's not the antagonist in this tale; he merely abided by pack law, yet it doesn't ease the agony brewing within him. His father, the once formidable alpha of their pack, had seized leadership at 25 and upheld it until his wife, Liam’s mother, passed away a year prior.

In their world, his mother was more than a spouse. In their shifter society, the bond with their mate is sacred, a connection that surpasses human marital vows. True mates face no risk of separation, abuse, or infidelity. There’s no chance of a tumultuous union. Their wolf side fiercely guards their mate, preventing any harm; even contemplating harm results in inner turmoil. Finding their mate alters their whole existence, becoming the epicenter of their being. Consequently, losing a mate can lead to the swift demise of a shifter, as if a part of their heart has been brutally torn away, leaving them bereft of the will to survive.

His father’s demeanor changed after his mother's passing. Neglecting his responsibilities, refusing to guide young shifters through their transformation, avoiding pack meetings, reveling in savage spectacles—traits unworthy of an alpha. The situation culminated when his father took the life of an elder after questioning his erratic conduct. The remaining elders turned to Liam for help. Though he anticipated this, he struggled to accept it. The pack law dictated that any member succumbing to their dark side must be dealt with by the alpha, ensuring secrecy. Yet, in this instance, the alpha himself was the lost wolf, and as his son, it was Liam’s duty. His bloodline and strength destined him for this task.

A year after his mother’s death, the pack entrusted Liam to end his father's life. He convinced himself it was his father’s wish, believing that the monster occupying his father's body tarnished his true legacy. He reckoned his father sought peace beside his mate in the afterlife. Confronting his father, Liam swiftly brought him down. His father's demeanor during their final clash suggested a readiness to depart. Alongside his sister, Olivia, they buried their father next to their mother, ending his year-long torment.

Yet, assuming the role of the pack's new alpha weighed heavily on Liam's soul. Leadership was never his aspiration, but circumstances thrust it upon him. Hence, he chose to flee. The decision wasn't out of cowardice; running was a compelling option. His wolf, usually unyielding, surprisingly assented, indicating an impending significant event. Leaving instructions for his second-in-command, Jackson, Liam morphed into a wolf and embarked on an unceasing run.

Crossing into Ohio, he's traversed farther than ever in his lupine form, feeling estranged from his Tennessee home. He hasn't shed his wolf form since his father's burial, surviving by hunting rabbits and bathing in nearby waterways. His mind, filled with turmoil, prevents rest. His plan to exhaust himself into a dreamless sleep fails, thanks to his persistent wolf strength.

Surveying the unfamiliar woods, he feels an ache for his home and pack. A shifter’s might flourishes within the pack, and as the alpha, Liam feels an intensified connection to them even 500 miles away. Unwillingly, he admits missing them and especially his sister, worrying that she has suffered enough losing both their parents. Nestled beneath an oak tree, contemplating a return, a sudden scent interrupts his thoughts. A blend of strawberries and cedar, laced with an elusive aroma, captivates him. Determined to track down the source, he abandons the idea of rest and dashes through the woods, pursuing the alluring scent.

To him, slumber can wait—finding the origin of that celestial aroma becomes the sole pursuit.