The Mating Run by Leeka

Chapter 76



Zeke's POV
In His Eyes: Coward
Cowards can be easily spotted, as they tend to hide in the same place, cowering
and avoiding any confrontation.
Victor Craft is an manipulative bastard who would stop at nothing to achieve his
goals, even if it meant causing harm to others. With his father being the Alpha,
he’s well aware of the privileges that come with it, allowing him to escape
consequences for the most part. The only source of tension between him and his
father arises from his father’s aspiration for him to pursue the same path, a
desire that Victor vehemently rejects.
The length of time I have known him surpasses his knowledge of my presence,
and this is a reality that I despise. Having spent my whole life in the shadow of
others, I knew that the people of Springcrest Pack could benefit from someone
like me who excelled at bringing structure and organization. If only they could see
Victor Craft's true nature, they would realize he is not fit to be an Alpha.
Regardless of my abilities, an outsider leading them is met with skepticism and
lack of trust.
The forest towered above us, casting a shadow that felt ominous and foreboding.
Its branches stretched out like twisted fingers, as if beckoning us towards an
unknown fate. As I walked, the weight of the trees seemed to intensify, their
immense presence making me feel small and insignificant.
Behind Alina and me, Ettie's incessant complaints pierced through the silence
like nails on a chalkboard, making my nerves tense up.
“We're lost,” Filled with frustration, Ettie’s voice came out as a whine. “I told you
he didn’t know shit.”
Resisting the urge to snap back, I clenched my jaw tightly, the pressure building
in my temples. Instead, I focused on putting one foot in front of the other,
the scent of damp earth and decaying bodies filling my nostrils as I trudged
through the dense underbrush. Like a sharp knife, Alina’s voice pierced through
the tension, leaving no room for doubt with its unwavering firmness.
“Stop complaining, Ettie,” Alina retorted, her voice laced with a hint of annoyance.
Alina’s tired too, even though she may not admit it. We have been
walking for hours, and our weary footsteps echo through the quiet forest. “We
need to trust Zeke.”
Glancing back at them over my shoulder, I locked eyes with Alina, her
determined stare matching my own.
“Thanks,” I said gruffly, my voice laced with frustration. “We need to keep
moving.”
With a resolute expression, Alina nodded in agreement, her conviction evident.
As I start to relax, thinking everything is fine and our journey can proceed
peacefully, I'm startled by the sound of Alina clearing her throat. As I focus my
sight ahead of us, I notice Alina quickening her pace to match step with me, her
footsteps echoing in sync with mine. Trying my hardest to maintain composure, I
turn to face her, suppressing the urge to let out a sigh.
“But... Where are we going, Zeke?” Her question hung in the air, her voice
wavering with uncertainty. With a firm tug, she secures her backpack against her
back, her eyes darting from side to side as she bites her lips in apprehension. “It
feels like we're going in circles.”
With a gentle touch of my finger to my lips, I motioned for them to stay silent.
“We'll talk later,” I said tersely, my tone leaving no room for argument. “Right now,
we need to focus on finding Victor.”
With that, I turned back to the task at hand, my body tense as I surveyed the
forest, acutely aware of the slightest sound or movement that could indicate
danger. As we walked deeper into the forest, the trees seemed to tighten their
grip, their twisted branches creating haunting shadows on the forest floor. Giving
them a proper answer was my intention, but the silence was essential for the
successful execution of our plan.
To be frank, I was beginning to question my intuition as well, but I've always had
a knack for reading people accurately, especially when it came to that bastard.
Predictability was a defining trait for cowards like him.
After what felt like an eternity, we stumbled upon a clearing where a towering tree
stood, its branches reaching up as if trying to touch the sky. Its silent vigilance.
was palpable, as if its watchful gaze was constantly upon us, weighing us down.
Silently, I unburdened myself of my backpack and passed it to Alina, ready to
start
my ascent.
From below, Alina’s voice reached my ears, its confused tinge making me
pause.
“Uh... What are you doing, Zeke?”
My attention was completely absorbed by the task at hand, causing me to
disregard her question entirely. The sound of my heavy breathing filled the air as
I started to climb, my muscles working hard to pull myself up into the branches
above. Ignoring the pain, I pressed on, feeling the rough bark scrape against my
skin as I climbed higher. With each step higher, the sounds of the world below
grew fainter, replaced by the rustling of leaves and chirping of birds in the vast
forest ahead. From my vantage point, I could see the vast expanse stretching in
every direction, with the treetops dancing gracefully in the gentle breeze below.
“He’s probably getting a better vantage point to see where Victor is,” From below,
Ettie’s voice cut through the air, filled with sharp accusations. “You're just lost,
aren't you, Zeke? You're too proud to admit it, so you're climbing up there to save
face.”
Ignoring her words, I clenched my jaw tightly and pressed on, determined to
reach the top. The branches beneath me swayed with an unsettling rhythm,
adding an element of danger as I balanced above the forest floor. But I remained
steadfast in my determination. There was a mission that needed to be
accomplished, and I was willing to overcome any obstacle. If Victor had
possessed my qualities, he could have been an exceptional Alpha, but
unfortunately, he does not.
After a long and arduous climb, I finally reached the top of the tree, and the
breathtaking view of the forest below took my breath away. The world stretched
out before me in a breathtaking display of green and brown, as I observed it from
my elevated vantage point. The gentle breeze caused the trees to sway, and their
leaves whispered a soft melody in the wind. However, Victor's absence was
glaringly evident, with no trace of him in sight.
I carefully surveyed the horizon, my eyes quickly shifting from one tree to
another, hoping to detect even the slightest movement or sign of life. But there
was nothing, just the stillness of the forest and the sound of leaves rustling in the
gentle breeze. Frustration overwhelmed me, causing a heavy sigh to escape my
lips and my shoulders to slump in defeat.
Could it be that I had been mistaken this whole time? Maybe Ettie had been right
all along, and perhaps I should have just confessed to it. I can’t stand the fact
that Ettie was right-it’s infuriating. Clicking my tongue in frustration, I pause for a
moment to wipe the sweat from my forehead before mustering the courage to
look down and prepare to climb down.
But then, right when I was on the verge of giving up, I caught a glimpse of a
familiar sound.
The tranquility of the forest was abruptly interrupted by the sharp crack of a
branch breaking, its sound resonating through the trees. Adrenaline surged
through my veins, my heart pounding in my chest, as I desperately tried to
pinpoint the origin of the sound. With heightened senses, I dedicated myself to
listening intently, hoping to catch any hint of motion or activity. And then, it came
into view, capturing my attention. In the distance, a sudden burst of movement
caught her eye — a figure clumsily darting between the trees.
As I lunged forward without hesitation, the feel of branches brushing against my
skin and the rustling sound of leaves filled the air, intensifying my pursuit of the
fleeting figure. My senses were on high alert, and my instincts were razor-sharp
as I embarked on the hunt. With anticipation coursing through me, I pursued the
elusive target, my breath coming in ragged gasps as I closed in, feeling the
adrenaline pumping through my veins.
With every step, my anticipation grew, and I could feel my blood coursing through
my veins, fueling my excitement.
In His Eyes Coward
And then, as if it were a mere illusion, the figure faded into the dense foliage,
abandoning me to the oppressive solitude of the forest's darkness. A frustrated
growl escaped my lips, as my clenched fists trembled with anger. I muttered
curses quietly under my breath. Nonetheless, I was determined and refused to
be discouraged. A ferocious roar erupted from within me as I lunged forward,
propelling myself through the towering trees, my pursuit propelled by an
unwavering resolve and an unstoppable drive.
Victor was going down, of that I was certain, and nothing was going to stand in
my way.
The sound of the wind gently caressing the leaves filled the air, the branches
groaned in protest as I carefully navigated through them, and the distant cry of a
bird added a touch of melody to the surroundings. In the midst of the jumble of
noises, my heartbeat clamored for attention, its steady, forceful beat
overpowering all other sounds.
At last, after what felt like an eternity, I glimpsed my target-a swift, shadowy
figure leaping from branch to branch. Victor Craft. He sees me first, his gaze
fixating on me before I have a chance to see him. He lets out a string of curses,
his eyes burning with anger as he glares at me.
“This is utter bullshit! F**K!”
With a feral snarl, I leaped forward, closing the distance between us in a matter
of seconds.
My hand clenched Victor's collar, my fingers gripping the fabric tightly as I
pushed him down onto the forest floor, feeling the branch beneath us. He fought
against me, but my strength easily overwhelmed him, leaving him powerless
beneath me. With a smirk, I leaned in close, my breath hot against his face as I
spoke.
“Do you have any idea what I had to do to find you?” A low and menacing grow!
escaped from my throat, “All the risks I had to take, all the dangers I had to face?
And for what? Just to find a pathetic little worm like you hiding in the shadows.”
Victor's malicious gaze bore into me as he sneered, his eyes brimming with
contempt, and he spitefully spat in my face.
“Go away, f**king bastard,” he hissed, his voice dripping with venom. “Leave me
alone. I want nothing to do with you.”
I chuckled darkly, wiping the spittle from my face with the back of my hand.
“You want nothing to do with me, huh?” I said, my voice laced with sarcasm.
“Well, I'm afraid it's too late for that, Victor. You see, I'm not going anywhere until
you get us what we came for.”
My hand wrapped around his jaw, my fingers pressing into his skin as I
maintained a steady gaze into his eyes. I watched as Victor wriggled helplessly
beneath me, his legs flapping aimlessly, his eyes on the verge of popping out of
their sockets.
“Tell me you understood. You're going to give us what we want,” I said, my voice
low and dangerous. “Or else.”
me?”
“Or else what?” he spat, his voice trembling slightly. “You think you can scare
“You dare to speak to me like that?” I snarled, my voice rising in fury. “After
everything you've done?”
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I s
What are you going to do, huh,
” “qs
bastard?” he taunted. “Hit me? Go
ahead, give it your best shot. But we
)
both know you don't have the guts.
Do you know who I am? Do you know
who my father is? Do you know how
. »
easy I can get you killed-" The
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the latest chapter there!
In a fit of frustration, I could feel my teeth grinding together, my anger bubbling
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and up uncontrollably. With a swift
glance, I assessed the area for any
cameras, a once satisfied, I
proceeded with my plan. With all the
force I could muster, I raised my
hand and delivered a powerful
backhand across his face. The sound
of the blow cut through the stillness
of the forest, its echo lingering in the
air like a haunting melody. As the
blow landed, Victor jerked back in
surprise, feeling the sharp sting on
his cheek. The content is on
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chapter there!
His eyes burned with intense hatred as he glared up at me, his mouth stained
with blood that he spat onto the forest floor.
“You'll f**king regret that.”
But I just laughed, a cold, mirthless sound that echoed through the trees.
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“pr ) .
I'm not the one who's going to regret
E » : :
anything.” My words dripped with
malice as I lightly slapped his cheek,
relishing in the satisfaction of
asserting my dominance. I could see
a red handprint forming on his cheek
“ "
from the force of my slap. “You are.
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