When I was in grade 11 I dated a guy who was a year older than me. We spent the entire school year together and eventually the school year ended and summer came and went. When I started grade twelve, he went off to college. It was a nearby college so we weren't forced to deal with a long distance relationship. Regardless, because he was no longer a 'high school student' living the easy life, the dynamics of our relationship quickly changed.

Unlike when we were both in high school—living a fairly stress free life where we'd go out every Friday and Saturday night, only to cram our homework in on Sunday—he was bogged down with homework every night and he worked part time on weekends as well.

So while he was working, I was still going out with friends. The group I hung out with consisted of both boys and girls, and suddenly my boyfriend became very jealous and very possessive when other boys were around me. It got to the point where he told me I was only allowed to go out one night on the weekend and I had to choose between Friday or Saturday. Hmmm, that didn't go over so well with me. He expected me to sit home by myself because he had to work and wasn't able to hang out with the rest of us.

While I still liked him, it occurred to me that we were at very different stages in our life. Since I wasn't willing to stay home by myself, and he was busy with college and work and unable to spend any time with me, I knew the relationship had reached its end.

Naturally we broke up, but I never forgot the way he changed, and became so possessive of me when he felt threatened by other guys. I always wondered what brought that on. What was it that had him acting like this?

In Pride's Run, Pride is faced with two very powerful alphas who are both in love with her. While they both might be alphas, their behaviour, however, and how they exert their dominance is completely different. Once alpha is very possessive, and wants to take charge and protect Pride. The other likes to stand back and allow Pride to make her own decisions. He's there to catch her if she falls of course, but he wants her to realize how strong, determined and independent she really is.

Is one way right? Is one way flawed?

I know what you're thinking and it's exactly what my seventeen year old daughter adamantly said to me. That Pride should be allowed to make her own decisions.

But let's look deeper. Let's look at the way these alphas were raised. One spent his entire life in captivity. His knowledge has been limited and he reacts with instinct. (Isn't it wolf instinct to protect the female?) The other boy lived a life of freedom, and reacts with knowledge rather than instinct.

Aren't they both simply behaving the only way they know?

Will Pride come to realize this or will she fault one for his behaviour.

After all, isn't love about accepting the other person the way they are, flaws and all?