Running With Purpose Novels & Stories

Mary returned not long ago, and under the pretense of "needing time to adjust to the environment," she requested to stay in our home for a while. Felix agreed without hesitation, before I could even voice my opinion. "Her father was the last Beta, and he sacrificed his life to protect the pack. Caring for her is my duty," he said, his tone brooking no argument, as if taking her in were a matter of sacred obligation. I swallowed my protests whole.

“How about you let me have the debit card and let me go out by myself. In return, I will try my best to be in a real relationship with you.” Jesse looked up at her. She was looking at him intently. She really wanted to go out by herself. Why wasn’t she willing to go out with someone else if she wasn’t trying to run away? The debit card would allow him to see where she spent money at, but if she went out alone, she could easily return things and get cash for it. She would need cash to get a cab or a way into town so she could claim she was going out, but really be stockpiling the money.

"Welcome to us. When have we ever done anything the normal way?" "Never. And apparently we're not starting now." "See you Monday. We have a case to build." "See you Monday." I start my car, and for the first time in eight weeks, I feel something other than numbness or grief or uncertainty. I feel purpose. Not the hollow kind that comes from achievement. The real kind that comes from fighting for something bigger than yourself. Even if it destroys you in the process. Especially then.

Dad checks his Rolex, “Eight fifteen.” I nod, and pull myself to stand, “thanks dad, you’ve really helped.” “Glad to be of service.” I start running, pulling my clothes off with practiced confidence, jamming them into my mouth as I shift; feet and hands turn to paws as I touch ground, and off I run, full pelt. This is the first time I have shifted since before Jackson captured me and god damn it feels good to just run. But this time, I have a purpose. I have somewhere to be.

I said with determination in my voice, trying to fill the atmosphere with a sense of purpose and courage. We all nodded in agreement and set off together, a unified force determined to take on whatever lay ahead. I could feel a wave of energy radiating from us as we ran; although this situation was overwhelming and difficult for us to grasp, the fact that we weren't alone gave us the courage to continue.

I might sound like I was complaining about it, and in reality, I was. He chuckled and said, "You can. It's only the first day. Your body will adjust in a few days." "So I can't skip tomorrow's running?" He shook his head, indeed objecting to my protest. "Stamina is the core for training. You can't master self-defense without it." A heavy sigh escaped my lips. I should have known it was impossible to skip running since Zurin was so adamant about me being able to protect myself. "The good news is Lola will also accompany your running tomorrow. So you can talk while circling our territory."

I let my wolf rise and take over fully, surrendering the weight of everything that was human in me, the questions, the anxiety, the knot that had been sitting behind my sternum since Naledi had walked out of my office and in its place came something cleaner. Speed, purpose, the ground. I ran. I didn't slow for anything. The hunting animals that stirred in the undergrowth as I passed, a fox that froze, a night bird that scattered from its branch, I ignored all of it. My paws hit the earth in a rhythm that felt like the only honest thing about the night, and I kept moving, kept pushing, kept my eyes fixed on the direction I knew without having to think about it. The west side gate came into vi

I just needed enough time to create some distance. Growing up, running was my escape. It was something I had never given up, even once I figured out I couldn’t run away from myself. It’s so easy to get lost in the monotony of the pounding tempo, and people rarely question your reason for running. It’s good for you, right? I knew I could run for miles, and I was fast. Give me an hour and a half, and I’d be ten miles away from here. I felt the resident in my brain stir. Why do you have to be so dumb. It wasn’t a question. So I didn’t bother with a response.

I heard Stephen’s voice from a distance, “…it’s who we are, our identity. This pack run is a long standing tradition of ours and like always, before we begin, we have to perform a little thanksgiving ritual to seek the blessings of the goddess….” I looked up, noting how the sky was starting to look darker than normal. If Lila wasn’t here to help me, I knew I had to do something myself. Tucking my hands into my pocket, I slowly backed away from the crowd, looking back more times than was necessary to be certain no one was watching.

"Purpose." I frown. "That's not the same thing." "No," she agrees. "It's better." I look at her. "How?" "Redemption is about the past." She brushes snow off her gloves absently. "Purpose is about what you do next." I don't answer, because I don't trust myself with anything next. "I don't trust myself," I admit. "Good." That wasn't the answer I expected. "Why is that good?"