Run Wild

In my memories, he was perfect, always the one who couldn't do anything wrong. I was so blinded by his perfect manipulation and fake love that his words became my command.

When it came to someone he deemed an opponent, I was his sword. Whatever he did became, in my eyes, an example of a great ruler. I was like a child captivated by a poorly written book, drawn to the thrill it offered.

However...

"The morning is beautiful! How long has it been since I last saw the morning sun at my childhood home?" The rays slipped off my fingers, reaching the part of my bed. I missed this summer.

Now, the blindness was gone, replaced by revenge and the thought of making things right. I had no courage to face my mate, the one I killed during the war.

I wouldn't pursue him either. In our past life, I betrayed him, killed him with my own hands as if it meant nothing. Turning to him now, just because I had chosen the wrong person, would be purely selfish.

I didn’t want to be selfish again. As a warrior and a commander who now prioritized morality, I would protect my mate from afar while also shielding my father from that monster.

Jonathan, I hope this time, I’ll be able to show you who made you the Alpha.

"Elysia! Training time is almost over. How long are you going to stay in bed?" My father's voice echoed through the hallway as he shouted from the kitchen.

It was nostalgic to hear my father’s voice.

"I'm up, Dad." Stretching my arms, I walked into the washroom.

I didn’t have any solid plans for what to do next. The Alpha's birthday banquet was the most pressing matter. That day, my mate wouldn’t attend as the Alpha of the Black Shadow Wolf Pack. His father, who would die naturally two years later, would represent him. There was zero chance of me meeting him.

But how would I avoid our Alpha? And his proposal for me to be his son's assistant? I would rather die again than become his sword.

The cold shower made me tremble as I stood beneath it, but it didn’t help me come up with any solutions. I had always been good at fighting, but making huge decisions was a different matter.

Maybe I should just move through time, avoiding the key points that led to my tragic past.

After a long shower, I still couldn’t figure out how to avoid the most pivotal moments of my life.

But I was determined to make things right. This time, I would enjoy life and live for myself.

"Dad!" I walked out to the yard.

Dad was throwing punches at sandbags, most of which were already in terrible shape. Skipping over them, I approached him from behind.

"You once said anyone could be an Alpha if they had the ability. Do you think I can do that too?"

I stood in front of him, my question more out of boredom than genuine curiosity. I should’ve let my wolf run wild this morning instead of drowning myself in cold water.

Dad paused, staring at me as though I’d said something heavy. He squinted, examining me for a moment with a judgmental gaze.

"Do you want to be?" he asked, steadying the sandbags.

"Is it possible?" I replied, blindsided by the idea.

I had never heard of it before. It was common knowledge that only an Alpha’s descendants could take over the position.

"I mean, if you become a Luna, you’ll hold a position similar to an Alpha," he explained.

Ah, that’s what he meant. "No! I mean a real Alpha!"

Dad grabbed his sword, a serious expression spreading across his tanned face. He lightly touched the blade's edge before looking at me.

"You can, if—" He held the sword against my throat, testing my reaction. "Nice!" he said, grinning proudly.

"If what, Dad?" I asked impatiently.

"If you eliminate the Alpha and leave no bloodline behind."

No bloodline remaining?

That last sentence brought everything into focus. It explained Jonathan’s obsession with the baby I’d been carrying. He didn’t want a son—he wanted leverage to secure his throne against outsiders.

"It makes sense!" I muttered with a cold chuckle.

"What makes sense?" Dad asked, flicking my forehead. "Snap out of it. You’re not acting like yourself. Is there something you want to tell me?"

He must’ve sensed something was wrong.

"Well, Dad, there is something I want to share."

"What’s that?"

"I think I found my mate," I said, swallowing a bit. After all, we both had given up on the idea of finding my mates.

However, Dad stayed silent for a moment before looking at me. It was weird since he would have been more curious about the man who became my mate. But there was something uncertain about his calmness and silence.

After thinking about something for a while, while staring at me if he would dig out any truth behind, he asked, "You’re not happy about it, are you?"

reading my expression. As always, I couldn’t hide my feelings from him.

"No. In the future, if I try to kill him, please cut off my hands!" I said firmly, without hesitation. That was my resolve—to protect him from my selfishness. He deserved happiness, not death.

From a distance, I would atone for my sins. I would stop Jonathan at any cost from harming my father or my mate.

"I don’t know what’s going on with you, but let me remind you—mate bonds are sacred. Don’t abuse or break them for your own selfishness."

Sorry, Father, but I’d already committed the worst sin—I killed him with my own hands.

"Anyway, stop overthinking and do me a favor." He handed me a packet of herbs. "Take these to Elder Aurora in the Northern Territory. She’s been coughing a lot lately."

"Elder Aurora!" It had been so long since I’d seen her. She’d died one winter. "Why don’t we ask her to move in with us?"

"Do you think I haven’t? She’s as stubborn as her late husband. Just return home soon. Don’t run wild again—I’m tired of freezing wild-caught fish and chicken!"

"Sorry, Dad! But I love the wild!" I stuck out my tongue and ran off.

The Northern Territory was half mountains and half forest, with rivers and waterfalls—a perfect place to let my wolf run free.

After playing in the water and catching fish with Ella, my Wolf who has been my best friend for ten years, we were exhausted. Lying on the riverbank, watching the clouds float by like cotton candy, it felt like I was a kid again, living up to the moment until the sound of footsteps on dry leaves caught our attention.

Ella stood alert, trying to locate the sound. The footsteps were imbalanced, as if someone with leg disabilities, were struggling to stay still.

Before we could act, a figure fell flat on their face, wounded and weak. The blood was fresh on her body, the part of wounds was blue. She was poisoned by Wolfsbane.

"P-please! S-save my pup!" she gasped, her eyes barely met mine as she fell unconscious.