Long Run

~ 3 ~

As I walk down the stairs, I see my friends. They’re busy setting up the food. Then Olivia notices me and lets out a scream.

"Birthday girl is here!"

Everyone turns around and shouts in unison, "Happy Birthday, Ivy!"

I smile warmly. "Thank you, guys."

Olivia quickly takes charge. "Okay, everyone, the food is outside. Beta John and Alpha Greg are grilling burgers, hot dogs, and skewer kebabs."

Even though Alpha Greg, my dad Beta John, and Luna Evelyn no longer hold their titles, we still call them by them out of respect. Our pack modernized back in 2014. Alpha Greg, my father, was the one who ended the old tradition of pack housing. He believed it did more harm than good.

“A bunch of teenage boys living in one house can only lead to trouble,” he’d say. Instead, he encouraged teenagers to stay with our families, train together under our Gamma, attend school, and contribute to the pack’s resorts.

The resorts are the lifeblood of our pack. We all have part-time jobs there. I help Luna Evelyn at the bakery. Olivia’s parents manage the cleaning services, and on busy days, even Olivia pitches in to clean rooms. In our pack, no job is beneath anyone. We don’t believe in ranking people as omegas; we take pride in all the work we do.

I glance at my friends, feeling a wave of gratitude. This is exactly what I wanted—an intimate celebration with family and close friends. I’m thankful Dad and Luna Evelyn didn’t turn this into a massive party.

I step into the backyard, where Dad and Alpha Greg are busy at the grill, almost finished cooking the meat. The side table is overflowing with salads, appetizers, and grilled vegetables.

Soon, everyone grabs a plate, loading it with food. Werewolves have a high metabolism, and we don’t hold back when it comes to eating.

We gather around the bonfire, laughter and chatter filling the air.

"So, Ivy, did you find an apartment yet?" Owen asks through a mouthful of spicy Asian cucumber salad.

I finish chewing my grilled zucchini before replying. "Yes, today."

Everyone claps, cheers, and congratulates me—everyone except Olivia.

"So, it’s official? You’re not changing your mind?" she asks, her voice tinged with sadness. "I was hoping you’d find your mate today and he’d talk you out of running away."

"Olivia," I say gently, "I’m not running away. You all know why I’m doing this." I glance at my friends, their faces a mixture of understanding and sadness.

"We do, Ivy," Nora says softly. "We’re going to miss you, but we understand."

She turns to Olivia. "Stop it. You’re her best friend—you should be supporting her, not making this harder."

Olivia lowers her head, a single tear slipping down her cheek. "I’m sorry, Ivy. I was being selfish. I know you’ll come back, right? You’ll never leave us for good."

I open my mouth to reassure her, but the words stick in my throat. I try again, but my voice won’t come. A strange sensation spreads through me—my wolf stirs, and a tingling radiates through my fingertips.

What’s happening? My friends are staring at me, concern etched on their faces. Then I feel it: an aura building around me. My power surges, and I panic.

No, no, not now! My hair will start glowing. I need to calm down. But I am calm—so why is this happening?

I take a deep breath, then another, forcing myself to exhale slowly. The tension eases, and I regain control just as Luna Evelyn’s voice cuts through the air.

"Happy Birthday, Ivy!"

I turn to see her standing at the back door, a large cake in her hands with two candles shaped like the number 18. Daphne opens the screen door for her, and everyone’s attention shifts to the cake. Thank goodness.

Luna Evelyn begins singing "Happy Birthday," and everyone joins in.

"Make a wish, sweetheart," Dad says as Luna Evelyn holds the cake out to me.

I close my eyes.

I make a wish, and blow out the candles.

I want to find my mom’s family.

A rush of energy courses through me, invigorating yet overwhelming.

"Whoa, the candlelight made your hair glow, Ivy. That was so cool," Jason remarks, grinning.

Luna Evelyn sets the cake on the side table and starts cutting it into slices. "Okay, everyone, finish up your food so we can have cake!"

Everyone goes back to talking and eating their food. I look around this is my family 8 of my closes friends, I grew up with them. So many memories. I am suddenly taken out of my train of thought with the most amazing smell hits my nose, the sweet, warm smell of chamomile.

The gentle breeze surrounds my whole body. It's so welcoming. I take a deep breath in...

I open my eyes the sweet chamomile smell is mixed with another. It's mixed with a smell of spring, meadow, and a laurel plant. The smell I am very familiar with.