Run As Fast As I Can

MATED TO MY ALPHA MATE

The sun was barely rising, casting a faint orange glow over the city. Diva stood by the motel window, staring out at the streets below. Her hands still trembled from the encounter the night before. What had just happened? Was the journal really what Mikael had said it was?

Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door. It was soft at first, then more persistent.

"Go away," she muttered under her breath, but the knocking didn't stop.

Reluctantly, she crossed the room, making sure to peek through the peephole before opening it.

"Let me in," Mikael's voice came through, low and urgent.

Diva hesitated but unlocked the door. "What now?" she asked, still feeling the lingering tension from the night before.

Mikael walked in without waiting for an invitation. His eyes darted around the room, scanning for any signs of danger.

"We need to leave, Diva," he said quickly. "Now."

Diva crossed her arms, not ready to take orders. "Leave? Where would we go? I don't even know what's going on. Last night, a person tried to kill us, and now you're telling me to run without explaining anything. You don't even trust me enough to tell me the full truth!"

Mikael sighed, clearly frustrated. He raked a hand through his hair, pacing the room. "I'm trying to protect you, Diva. Derek is not someone you can afford to underestimate. He'll do anything to get what he wants—and right now, that's you and that journal."

Diva didn't know what to say. She had always thought she was just another girl, living her life, not caught up in some prophecy or dangerous game. But the more she thought about it, the more she realized there was no escaping this world, not anymore.

"You're right," she said quietly. "But I need to understand what this is all about."

Mikael stopped pacing and looked at her seriously. "Okay, I'll tell you everything, but we need to move fast. We don't have much time."

Diva sat down on the edge of the bed, her eyes focused on him.

Mikael took a deep breath. "That journal... it's not just some artifact. It's a key to something much bigger. Something that involves all of us—the soothsayer's prophecy, Derek's rise to power, and the reason you're caught up in all of this. The journal holds the answers, but only you can unlock its full power."

Diva felt her heart race. "Power? What do you mean by power?"

He nodded slowly, looking at her like she was starting to understand. "The journal is tied to your bloodline, Diva. You're not just any ordinary woman. You have abilities—powers that you've probably never noticed or understood."

She stared at him, her eyes wide in disbelief. "I have... powers?"

He nodded again. "And Derek knows this. He wants to control you, control the power in that journal. He'll stop at nothing to get it."

"But how do you know all of this?" Diva asked. "How can you be sure?"

Mikael's face darkened. "Because I've seen it before. I've seen people like you, people with powers that are meant to change the world. I've seen how they're hunted, controlled, and used. That's why I'm helping you, Diva. You have a choice. You can hide and let Derek take control, or you can fight back."

Diva swallowed hard. Fighting back? Could she really do that? She had never been a fighter, never thought she was capable of standing up to someone like Derek. But everything inside her screamed that she couldn't just let him win.

Before she could respond, the sound of tires screeching outside caught their attention.

"They're here," Mikael muttered, standing up abruptly. "We need to go, now."

Diva stood as well, her heart pounding in her chest. "What do we do?"

Mikael grabbed her arm and pulled her toward the door. "I know a place, a safe house. But we have to move quickly."

They rushed out of the room, the world outside suddenly feeling much more dangerous. The streets were quieter than usual, but the tension in the air was thick, as if the city itself knew something was about to happen.

Mikael kept a hand on her back, guiding her through the alleyways and side streets, his eyes constantly scanning for any sign of danger. They didn't speak, not wanting to risk drawing attention. But Diva couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched.

As they turned a corner, a car sped past them, slowing as it neared. The windows rolled down, and a voice called out.

"Diva!"

Her heart skipped a beat as she recognized the voice. She turned to see a tall figure stepping out of the car.

"Derek," she whispered.

Mikael's grip on her tightened. "Run!"

But it was too late. Derek was already closing in on them, his gaze locked onto Diva with an intensity that made her blood run cold.

"I didn't expect you to run so soon, Diva," Derek said, his voice smooth and taunting. "You can't escape your fate."

Diva's pulse raced. "I'm not going with you," she said, her voice shaking but firm.

Derek smirked. "You don't have a choice."

In an instant, he lunged toward her, but Mikael was faster. He shoved Diva out of the way, tackling Derek to the ground.

"Get out of here!" Mikael shouted, his voice laced with urgency.

Diva hesitated for only a moment, then turned and ran. Her feet carried her faster than she thought possible, adrenaline pumping through her veins. She didn't know where she was going, but she knew she couldn't stop.

Behind her, the sound of fighting echoed in the streets, but she dared not look back. The only thing that mattered now was getting away.

As she rounded another corner, her phone buzzed in her pocket.

She pulled it out quickly, her hands shaking as she saw the text from Mikael:

Don't trust anyone, Diva. Not even me.

Her heart dropped.

Who could she trust?

She ran faster, not knowing where she was going but knowing she couldn't go back. She was in too deep now, and the truth she'd been hiding from was catching up with her.

She turned another corner and found herself on a narrow street that seemed to lead nowhere. Her legs were aching, her breath coming in short gasps. She couldn't keep running like this. She needed a plan, needed to think.

Suddenly, a loud crash behind her made her freeze. She turned slowly, her hand reaching for the phone in her pocket, only to find it gone.

Her heart thudded in her chest as the sound of footsteps grew closer.

Out of the shadows, a figure appeared. It was tall, wearing a dark hoodie, the face obscured by shadows.

Diva's instincts told her to run, but her body refused to move. She was cornered.

"Who... who are you?" she whispered, her voice trembling.

The figure stepped closer, the sound of its boots echoing in the alley. "It's time you knew the truth, Diva."

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To be continued....,