Long Run

~ 2 ~

I finally reached the top of the mountain. I plopped down next to my huge boulder. It had become one of my best friends. Over the last six years, I’ve told him everything—my deepest secrets, heartbreaks, and moments of happiness. He knows it all.

"Good morning, Wilson. Today is my birthday. I’m finally eighteen. I can sense my mate now, but I’m not going to worry about that. My main focus right now is culinary school. I’m leaving..." I say to Wilson out loud.

I’ve fallen in love with cooking and baking. I spend a lot of time with ex-Luna Evelyn. She became my mom’s best friend, and she’s the only one who loves to talk about her. Dad doesn’t, not so much. I guess it’s too painful for him. Evelyn always talks about how they baked together, how my mom was so good at creating new recipes, and how they opened a bakery together. She shared how they’d wake up at 4 a.m. to start baking and how their husbands weren’t fans of waking up to cold beds.

As I sit next to Wilson, enjoying my view, my phone buzzes. I take it out of my messenger bag and see a message from Evelyn.

Good morning, my sweet, sweet girl. Happy birthday! I am so proud of you. Your mom would be, too. I hope you have a great run. See you tonight.

I smile at her message. I should head back—I need to complete my registration for culinary school. I was accepted three months ago, and now I need to attend the virtual orientation, get my supplies, and rent an apartment.

I’m going to culinary school in Miami. That’s where my mom was from. She never told Dad anything about her family. I don’t know if I have grandparents, uncles, aunts, or cousins. I’m not sure what I’m looking for there, but I feel a strong pull to go. When I told my dad my plans last year, he wasn’t happy, but I promised him I’d come back, help Luna Evelyn run the bakery, and maybe work at Alpha’s resort as a head chef.

Our town is nestled in the mountains, surrounded by beautiful natural springs. Ex-Alpha Greg built resorts around them. In the winter, it’s one of the best places to ski.

I take out my water bottle from my messenger bag, drink it all, and then get up. I pat Wilson goodbye and start running down the trail. It’s so much easier going downhill.

Half a mile from home, I stop suddenly. I’m breathing hard from my run, taking big gulps of air. The familiar scents of pine trees and nature surround me, but something new lingers in the air—a blend of raw honey, vanilla bean, and chamomile.

“No. No, it’s my mate.”

My wolf, Devon, stirs inside my head, restless and clawing to come out.

“My mate. I need my mate,” Devon says.

I ignore her.

I’ve never smelled anything so intoxicating. The scent wraps around me, warm and inviting. I haven’t even met my mate yet, but I can already feel love blooming inside me. I can't let that happen. I am losing control of my feelings. I close my eyes, and I need to get control back. I made plans that I needed to carry out. I know what I need to do.

“Wait... how can that be?”

I take a deep breath and focus. In my mind, I manifest a plea: Don’t let my mate recognize me. A surge of energy pulses through my veins—it worked. Ever since I ran away, jumped out of a window, and hid my scent years ago, I’ve known I could manifest nearly anything.

The first few months of discovering my gift were fun: I aced tests without studying, climbed trees with ease, and recalled any memory I wanted.

Well, almost any memory.

I couldn’t see my mom’s face.

Dad said she held me skin-to-skin after I was born. He said I opened my eyes and looked at her. She breastfed me. But four hours later, she started to bleed. The doctors called it DIC, a rare and dangerous postpartum hemorrhage in humans.

One night, I spent hours trying to remember her. I pushed myself so hard to see her face. I could almost feel it. It was so close within reach. I could almost see her. Pushing myself, manifesting. When my body has exhausted all my energy, I fainted, and when I woke up, I slept for two days straight, weak, not able to stand or have the energy to sit up to eat. I couldn’t keep my eyes open. My Dad was frantic, and the pack doctor had been called. Werewolves don’t get sick, so my condition scared them both.

I remember seeing Alpha Simon at my bedside when I managed to open my eyes for seconds, but I don't remember much.

I haven’t tried since. That memory is always just out of reach, shrouded in fog.

Why do I have this gift? Why am I different? Are there others like me? I’ve never shared these questions with anyone, not even Dad.

I take a moment to process everything. I have a mate. But I won’t reveal myself to him—not yet. I need to go to Miami first. What if he doesn’t let me leave? Or worse, what if I fall so in love that I change my mind about going? No. I need to do this for myself. I need to block the bond for now. I am doing the right thing.

I can feel Devon's disapproval and withdrawal in hurt.

I start running again, reach home, showering, and blow-dry my hair straight. I know Dad and Luna Evelyn have something planned for tonight.

Sitting down with my laptop, I finalize my culinary school registration. I find a charming, fully furnished apartment near the beach and contact the landlord. After a quick virtual tour, he sends the lease contract for Dad to sign—a month-to-month agreement.

It’s official: I’m leaving in two weeks.

I close my laptop and hear voices from the kitchen and backyard. Walking to the window, I see some of my school friends setting up the bonfire pit. Olivia and Jason are already arguing—Jason’s bossing Olivia around about lounge chairs, and she’s not having it. I smile, watching them bicker.

“Ivy.”

I turn and see Dad standing in my doorway. He walks in and opens his arms.

I rush into his embrace, wrapping my arms around his waist. At 5’9”, I barely reach his chest. At 6’5”, he towers over me, his strong arms circling my shoulders.

“Happy Birthday, my beautiful girl,” he says, his voice warm. “You look so much like your mother. Her hair, her eyes, her smile. You’re just as kind as she was. I’m so grateful she gave me you. Life would be so empty without you.”

He kisses my forehead and hugs me tightly.

“Come on, get ready. All your friends are here.” He lets go and leaves the room.

I walk into my closet, pull on a blue floral ruffle dress, and head downstairs, ready to celebrate.