Christian (bxb)

Confronting destiny

(Christian)

I kept running, my feet pounding against the forest floor, each step pushing me further from the pack.

It was stupid, probably useless too, but I couldn’t just stand there and let them tell me who my mates were.

Today was my birthday. My eighteenth. And nothing felt right.

I’d tried to feel different. Tried to feel excited.

Eighteen is supposed to be this huge deal—you’re finally an adult, finally able to meet your wolf, supposed to be able to shift and feel complete.

But that didn’t happen for me.

Not even a hint of my wolf’s presence. And if I was honest, that scared me. Made me wonder if there was something wrong with me.

I’d been waiting for this moment, and now… it just wasn’t happening.

I could still hear their voices in my head: Greyson, Mason, and Jaxon.

The three of them were always together, always around me like they already knew.

My supposed mates. How could that be? How could fate, or the goddess, or whatever it was, decide that for me? That I’d be tied to them for life? I didn’t want that.

I didn’t even know if I wanted anyone.

But the pack was certain, especially Pop and Arlo. They were so convinced I’d end up with them that I almost started to believe it myself.

Almost. But every time I thought about it, this pressure built in my chest, like I was getting trapped in a cage that kept getting smaller and smaller. I didn’t want to be locked in.

My pace slowed as I thought about Jacob. He was one of the few who didn’t believe in all that destined mate stuff.

He always told me it was up to me, that I could make my own choices. And I needed that right now.

I wanted to believe him, that maybe I didn’t have to go along with what everyone else thought.

I stopped for a second, leaning against a tree and breathing in the cold, damp air.

The forest was quiet here, nothing but the soft rustle of leaves in the breeze. It was just me, away from everyone else, away from the expectations and the stares.

I wanted to be strong, to face this without running. But how could I face something that didn’t even feel real?

The longer I stood there, though, the more I realized my scent was probably leading them right to me.

I hadn’t thought about it in my panic. Of course, they’d pick up my scent trail—especially Greyson.

He was always the one keeping tabs on me, making sure I wasn’t too far off or hiding too long.

It was like he thought it was his job to look out for me, whether I wanted it or not.

A twig snapped somewhere close, and I froze, feeling my heart skip. I listened, trying to calm my breathing, but I knew it was too late. They’d followed me. Of course, they had.

“Christian.”

I turned, already knowing who it was. Greyson was standing just a few feet away, his blue eyes locked on mine.

He didn’t look mad. Just… worried, maybe. I didn’t know what to say. My throat felt tight, my heart beating hard against my ribs.

“You ran,” He said like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

“You noticed,” I shot back, trying to sound steady. But it was useless. I didn’t have the energy to keep up the act.

Greyson didn’t react, he just kept staring at me with that calm look of his.

The look that made me want to both scream and hide. Before I could think of what else to say, Mason and Jaxon appeared from the shadows, silent but just as focused.

They surrounded me like they were closing in, and I took a step back without meaning to.

“You can’t run from this, Christian,” Greyson said. His tone wasn’t harsh. He almost sounded sad.

“You know that.” I shook my head.

“I’m not running,” I lied, even though we all knew the truth.

Jaxon stepped closer, his expression softening as he watched me.

“We were worried about you,” He said, his voice quieter than usual. He wasn’t smiling now. None of them were.

“Worried?” I repeated, trying to sound sarcastic, but my voice cracked, giving me away.

They must’ve seen it, too, because Greyson stepped closer, closing the space between us until I could feel his warmth and smell his familiar scent.

I wanted to back up again, to keep some kind of distance, but my feet wouldn’t move.

I just stood there, staring up at him, my chest tightening as he reached out, his hand gently resting on my shoulder.

“You don’t have a choice,” Mason spoke up, his voice low but firm. I could feel his gaze, steady and unrelenting, and it made me feel… small.

Like they knew something I didn’t, and no matter how much I fought, I couldn’t change it.

“I don’t want this,” I whispered, my voice barely audible, but I knew they heard me.

“I don’t want any of this.” Jaxon’s expression softened even more, and before I could protest, he wrapped his arms around me.

“Christian,” He murmured, his voice soothing, and I hated how much it made me feel safe.

I didn’t want to feel that way, didn’t want to let them in.

But the warmth of his embrace melted some of the tension in my shoulders, and suddenly, I was just… tired.

Then, Greyson joined, his strong arms wrapping around me from the other side.

And Mason, quiet and steady as ever, slipped his arm around me too, his hand rubbing soothing circles on my back.

It was too much—all the feelings I’d been bottling up, all the fear and doubt and frustration.

It all came crashing down, and I couldn’t hold it in anymore.

Before I knew it, I was crying, the tears spilling over as I buried my face in Greyson’s shoulder.

I hated it, hated that I was letting them see me like this, but I couldn’t stop.

The weight of everything, the expectations, the fear of being tied to them forever… it all poured out, and I just let it.

They held me, each of them silent, their arms steady and comforting.

None of them said a word, didn’t try to tell me it was okay or that things would get better. They just held me, letting me let it all out without judgment.

When the tears finally stopped, I pulled back, wiping my face on my sleeve.

I felt hollow and drained, but there was a strange sense of relief too, like a weight had been lifted.

I glanced up at them, feeling the embarrassment creeping in, but none of them looked smug or judgmental. They just looked… understanding.

“You done running?” Jaxon asked softly, a small smile playing on his lips. I let out a shaky breath, nodding.

“Yeah,” I mumbled, feeling the heat rise in my cheeks.

“I guess I am.” They didn’t push me to say more, didn’t demand an explanation.

They just stayed there, standing close, like they were ready to catch me if I stumbled again.

And maybe, just maybe, I could accept that—at least for now.