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A Tree Too Weak To Stand
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
Run. Beloved Freak
Lya The first day here, I was left mostly alone. I had an open invitation. If I ever wanted out of the cell block, all I had to do was come clean about my transgressions. I hadn’t spoken a word since the late dinner with Alex Marsan, though. Aside from myself, the cell block was empty other than a guard. I had kept insisting I was human, and tried to poke fun at the guard who had to watch over a little girl that was locked up as is the first couple days, but he was stone faced and never gave into a conversation. I didn’t even have Tala to talk to, and I was just starting to really enjoy her presence. The past month and a half at the pack had changed me, and I felt it was for the better. I could comfortably be myself, make friends, have relationships that didn’t require hiding a huge portion of who I was. It took about two days for me to come to terms with the fact that I was getting lonely. Lonely was a feeling I was quite familiar with, but, apparently, quite resentful of. I guess
Run. Fighting My Way Back
Oliver “You gotta stop pacing, man,” Trevor huffed. “Your stress is stressing me out.” “Yeah, well, I might just snap if I don’t do something,” I quipped. “If you haven’t noticed, Lya isn’t back yet, and my sister in law has been in labor too long.” “We know where Lya is though, we have someone keeping an eye on her, and human labors are longer than wolf labors,” Trevor sighed. “If you need to get out some pent up rage, go train or something. Stop wearing a hole in the hospital floor.” I turned on my heel without saying a word and stalked out of the hospital. I had been doing my best to heed my grandmother’s advice, but I was still out for blood. Knowing Lya’s location was the only good news I had gotten in the past four days, but Cody and Gregory were insisting on stalling until making the next move. The main goal here was to decimate as much of the Marsan contingency as possible. Pulling her out too soon would only make them angry, and put a target on our heads. The person w
Run. Comfortably Numb
Lya If my counting was correct, today was the summer solstice. My birthday. Interrogations were well underway. I wanted to go home. I understood what the shackles on the walls were for. It was so I couldn’t try and get away or fight back when they tried to beat answers out of me. Lying was getting harder. Tala was playing her part, obediently staying locked away and not healing anything, but I could tell it was getting harder for her, too. The silver earrings, necklace, and bracelet set I had on had been torn away. I knew what they wanted - they wanted me to shift, admit I was a werewolf, and then ideally comply with their demands to try and get them to kill me. But we had suspected that when we came up with this plan, and I knew that I would let myself be killed before I gave up the pack. The longer I was here, though, the more I wondered why we didn’t go with Trevor’s suggestion - lead them to the pack, and then destroy them on our own turf. At the time, I had adamantl
Run. Tubthumping
Oliver Lya was teetering on a moss covered rock, out in the middle of the river that ran behind the packhouse. I watched mesmerized as she giggled at fireflies blinking around her. I couldn’t tell if the heady scent of lilac was her or the bushes around us, now in full bloom. This wasn’t the same girl who had initially arrived at the packhouse, nervous and scared of everything. I still hadn’t figured out why, but after only a few weeks of being here, it was like a switch had been flipped and a beautiful, loving personality emerged. It wasn’t even a subtle evolution. “When’s your birthday again?” I asked.She looked over at me, her eyes nearly glowing as the last remnants of the sunset reflected against them. “June 21. I’ll be twenty five.” She was a solstice baby, of course she’d be special. Born with the light within and prosperity at her fingertips. Lya made her way back to the riverbank, snagging her can of beer from the water’s edge. “Are you making plans for it or something
Run. Adam Raised A Cain
LyaIt was impossible to keep track of time in here so I had just given up trying. There was a window in each cell covered by frosted glass that let just enough light in to give a faint idea of the time. Overall, though, the days revolved around when meals were brought. Even that wasn’t consistent, though. I was beginning to think my “birthday present” was just a bit of blackmail. More than likely, they didn’t have anything they could hold over my head.Paranoia had begun to sink in. Was the guard really truly working on my side, or had the hunters won him over? He was a Wulver, of course he wouldn’t betray us. Was Danica in here just to try and get information out of me? I guess it was always possible, but her eyes screamed truth and naivety. Was Oliver moving on with someone new already? He wouldn’t. My days were filled with constant internal debates and nights trying to fight off memories of Oliver and the pack I had come to love. It was easier if I didn’t think of the good times,
Run. Aqueous Transmission
Oliver We had cells here. They were probably my least favorite place to be. But here I sat, for the third day in a row, trying to get information out of a hostage. Cody and Trevor had both offered to take over for me, but I had refused. It was my responsibility, as both the alpha and Lya’s mate. I’d get her safely back to this territory if it was the last thing I did. Besides, I had dropped the responsibility my alpha title demanded too much. It was time to reclaim it. We had never had a human in these cells before, but my warriors that had been sent to the hunters’ Oklahoma outpost had brought back a hostage. The usual tactics - silver and wolfsbane - weren’t working, and as I sat staring at my bloody and bruised hands, I had to wonder if this guy even knew anything at all. A wicked smile crossed my face as I came up with one last idea before handing this project off to someone else. “Let’s try this one last time,” I said, staring him down. His eyes were swollen nearly shut, b
Run. The Sound Of Silence
Lya My eyes nearly rolled back in my head, the sensation of Oliver’s presence again all consuming. I had missed this. I could practically hear the missing piece of me clinking back into place. A smile flitted across my face as lightning danced across my skin, embracing me like a warm hug. I could almost smell him. 'Might as well get a chance to feel all warm and fuzzy again,' my wolf sighed. 'It has been too long.''Never again,' I agreed. I pulled my legs up to my chest and rested my head on my knees. Tala may have thought she was helping, but it really was just making me sad. I missed home, I missed my mate. It was a cruel reminder that even if everything went to plan, there was a very high likelihood I would never see him again. Part of me wanted to see if I could reach out to him, but the other part didn’t want that small glimmer of hope. My heart broke for Danica. I hadn’t heard much about her life, but I was certain it had been filled with more suffering than she deserved -
Run. Jailbreak
Oliver Over two hundred wolves had the hunters’ compound surrounded. In another four hours, there would be another three hundred and fifty more. We were overprepared, but I didn’t care. Every single wolf here knew exactly why and who they were here for. Given the way her story was told, I truly hoped they would be here even if she wasn’t their alpha’s mate. I would have to make sure Lya knew that everyone knew now. She was the girl who overcame her upbringing only to put her life on the line for an entire population she barely knew. She was the girl who didn’t need a knight in shining armor. She just needed a sword, and she found her own. I never even stuttered when I declared she was my mate. I couldn’t muster the courage to try and mindlink with Lya, but Cody had filled me in on what little Liam had been able to pass on, including the fact that in some way or another, her dad was involved in this whole mess. No one was quite sure what Lya had done to set the wheels in motion, b
Latest chapter
Run. Thank You All
To all my faithful readers, Mate bonds, plot holes, and unfinished story lines. Oh my! Thank you all so, so much for your commitment to this story, even when life got in the way and updating was not regular. It was such an adventure to write, and I am excited to say the adventure continues in the sequel, "Chase." Your favorite side characters will be pulled to the forefront as the beginning of the war the hunters alluded to takes hold. Mate bonds aren't what everyone wants, and they can prove to be quite the hinderance - especially when they fail to see that the universe has a bigger plan than just their destined lover. No one likes to admit they can be the difference between life and death, etiher. No one truly loves change, but sometimes it's necessary to chase after it. ********* ********* Time passes, things change, and everyone moves on. It’s easy to feel left behind. I always feel left behind. Left behind and forgotten. All my life, I’ve wanted for someone to reac
Run. Begin Again
Oliver In the couple hours that had passed, the entire crew had filtered onto the patio. Trevor and Brandon had ensured everyone - aside from Allyssa and Maggie - always had a beer in hand. Every one of Lya’s questions got answered, and she had given up trying to pass off her newfound alpha title. Her grand plan that someone should just challenge her and she would just concede before the first punch was thrown was laughed off. It was a well known fact that the alphas who had leadership thrust upon them were the ones who upheld the title the best. Lya reached over, grabbing another beer. “So the Beta I choose - do they have to have Wulver blood?” “No,” Cody said. “In fact, there are only a few families left that have Wulver blood at all. I don’t.” “But,” Gregory added, “the alpha always somehow does. When our previous alpha fell, it was between your father and I who would take up the gamut.” “Why didn’t it go to you?” she asked. Gregory offered a rare smile down at Allyssa, w
Run. Chlorine
Lya Apparently, the pack had a morgue. I shouldn’t have been surprised by this, but I was. Also apparently, the pack had brought all the rogue bodies back, as well as pack members. This didn’t surprise me. Oliver claimed it was because they died fighting with and for a pack, so they should be treated in death as one. “I don’t understand your mentality toward rogues,” I mumbled. Danica had filled me in on the way most packs treated rogues, and with what happened to Oliver’s father, I was genuinely shocked he did not feel the same. “People should be treated as individuals,” he stated, offering no further clarity. Getting to the morgue had taken forever because people kept stopping us to thank me, congratulate me, praise me. And I didn’t deserve any of it.I had been the catalyst. And now I was being rewarded for starting a war. My eyes scanned the room, expressionless eyes staring into the abyss of nothingness that now consumed them. A lump rose in my throat, hating that so
Run. New Dawn Fades
Oliver I ignored Dr. Whitledge’s request to know where his patient was. He was a smart man, he could figure it out. What was the point of sitting and relaxing in a hospital bed when she could easily do the same thing at home? I had no intentions of letting her out of my sight anytime, either. It was a noble effort, but Lya only lasted all of a half hour before she passed out, slumped over on my shoulder. The firepit was still burning, though, and the Woodford was still being passed around. I had watched her closely before she fell asleep. There was a dam that was going to break, and I wanted as much warning as I could get. She was handling things alarmingly well for now - too well. The only person she truly strayed away from talking to was Liam. I had to wonder if she even realized who he was. My eyes danced back and forth between them, picking out their similarities. They had the same wild mess of red curly hair, freckles, and features, the same eyes that seemed to change colors w
Run. Cartographer
Lya Oliver’s lips crushed down on mine, awakening a hunger and need and wholeness I had tried to forget about while I was the hunters’ hostage. The tears pricked my eyes, but he was quick to brush them away. He pulled back, looking down on me. “Why are you crying?” Oliver murmured. “You’re back home now.” I reached up, pulling him back down to me. “I missed you.” “Scoot over?” Oliver asked. I made space quickly, anxious for him to be as close as possible. I quickly found myself tucked under his arm. “Can we go home?” I asked. “Back to the packhouse?” “Tomorrow,” he promised, brushing his lips across my hair. “The doc says you’re healing better with your wolf around.” “Tala only held back like that as a punishment, apparently,” I said, furrowing my brows. My relationship with my wolf had grown immensely, and she had plenty of confessions for me. That was one of them. Oliver placed his thumb on my chin, turning my face toward him. “Don’t ever do that again,” he glowered. “I
Run. It's All True
Oliver Lya’s own little army sat in the waiting room as she underwent surgery. Everyone seemed to be glaring at someone. Liam and I continued with our silent argument through looks alone, Jade and Jason - Lya’s supposed cousins - were arguing about whose fault it was they hadn’t realized Lya was a wolf, Thom kept his eyes locked on them as he rocked Kai, silently begging them to be quiet, Anna and Trevor were still in a staring contest about his refusal to let her start warrior training, and Cody was curiously enough shooting daggers at Jade. Marjorie was the only one sitting quietly, observing everything. Brandon waltzed back into the room, returning from his mission for “supplies.” “You all need to take a chill pill,” he said, handing everyone a beer. “We are all on the same side here, don’t forget.” I sighed and sat back, cracking my beer. “You’re right.” “I mean really, you can be as angry as you want that Lya accidentally landed herself an alpha gig, but think of why you’re a
Run. So Long, And Thanks For All The Fish
Lya Endings are hard. Beginnings, though? Well, beginnings are easy. They sneak up on you, and you find yourself halfway into the storyline before you even realize what the plot is. Truth be told, I couldn’t even tell you when the beginning of this story was. Was it my first shift? The first time I slit my wrist? Maybe when I met Ted Marsan, or killed him. What about when I finally ended up in this pack? I could tell you one thing, though, and that was this was the end. Endings are hard. They always come too soon, leaving plot holes and unanswered questions in their wake. There was so much more to say, to do. My story was ending, and it felt like it had only just begun. Fate is a fickle bitch. I was still resentful it had taken Her this long to let me find my way to this pack. Six weeks just didn’t seem like enough time to be happy. Oh, how I would have changed those six weeks if I had known how quickly this all would end. I had known death was a possibility when I signed up fo
Run. Ever The Same
Oliver I saw red. The first I heard from Lya in weeks, and it was a plea for help. I followed my nose, bursting through the door blocking me from her. I couldn’t see her anywhere, but I knew she was here. There were countless other wolves from her birth pack on my tail, and we immediately set to work dispatching the stragglers looking to escape us, dragging most out of cars that refused to start. I finally spotted her, underneath one of the vehicles disabling it. I took half a second to let out a breath of relief and smile. Smart girl. I lost track of her again, though, my focus shifting to keeping others away from her. It wasn’t until I had no one else in my sights and everything had fallen quiet that I heard her voice ringing through the garage, filled with confidence and conviction. “I’m challenging your alpha title.” I spun around, charging for where she was. I wasn’t going to let her risk her life like this. But, I was stopped by Cody and Gregory. 'She initiated the
Run. Martyr
Lya My mind was made up. I knew exactly what my role in this fight would be. If I had learned anything about my father, it was that he was a coward. He wouldn’t be out on the field participating. Maybe he was who I got my ability to run away from problems from. Even still, though, I was drawn outside. The sight was horrifying, and the smell of war made me gag. Guns rang out, teeth clashed, screams and howls resounded. What my eyes honed in on, though, was none other than Will barreling into my mate. I was careening toward them faster than I could think. If anyone died here, it was supposed to be me. “NO!” I screamed, but the sound was drowned out. Oliver waited too long, giving Will the opportunity to aim his gun. I didn’t have time to shift, but I still had the axe. I flung it with every ounce of strength I had, burying the pick deep in his chest. I was certain the pick side of a fireman’s axe wouldn’t be enough to actually kill him, so I twisted it just for good measure. If
