The Mating Run by Leeka

Safe

So, here I am, watching Victor scratch his head in confusion, wondering out loud why his claiming bite didn’t work.

“Something’s not right.”

And honestly, I can’t help but laugh. It’s like watching a magician who messed up a trick, and now everyone is left wondering what went wrong. But in this case, the trick was supposed to be some mystical bond, and all I got was a painful reminder of my naivety.

He mutters something about it not working as expected, and Zeke, always the voice of reason, asks if Victor even bothered to read the pamphlet. I can’t contain my laughter at this point. The pamphlet, the one that probably no one reads until things go south.

Classic.

But then Zeke drops a bombshell. The trackers inside us aren’t just trackers- they’re pheromone inducers. And apparently, every single thing in the field was a pheromone inducer. I try to wrap my head around it.

I can’t decide whether to be relieved that there’s no mystical bond or irritated that Victor literally took a bite out of me. It’s absurd, and I find myself laughing again. Maybe it’s the sheer ridiculousness of the situation or the fact that life has a way of turning expectations into a chaotic mess.

Victor looks like he’s about to say something, but Zeke beats him to it.

“You’re a f**king idiot, that’s what you are.”

Zeke declares, and for a moment, I appreciate the simplicity of his words.

No sugarcoating, just a straightforward assessment of the situation.

Safe

I look at Zeke, and we share a moment of understanding. The absurdity of it all hangs in the air like a punchline to an inside joke.

Victor finally speaks, his voice a mixture of frustration and confusion.

“But the claiming bite is supposed to create a bond!”

He protests, as if the universe owes him an explanation. I roll my eyes. The universe doesn’t owe anyone anything, especially not an explanation for failed magical bonds.

Zeke shakes his head, a bemused smile on his face.

“Did you even read the pamphlet?”

He asks, his tone a mix of exasperation and amusement. It’s a rhetorical question at this point. Who reads the pamphlet until everything falls apart?

Zeke explains the intricacies of Hunters and Hiders, and how Victor’s claim was nothing more than a physical act with no mystical repercussions. I feel a strange mix of relief and irritation.

me, his expression a mix of confusion and

I bit her!” he protests again, as if the act of biting should have automatically triggered a cosmic connection. I can’t help but shake my head. The

“You bit a huge chunk of her flesh, Victor. That’s all you did. Congratulations, you

of pent–up tension and absurdity. Victor’s face contorts with a mix of embarrassment and anger. It’s a priceless

realizing that in this moment, I’ve found a strange

the weight of Victor’s failed attempt at claiming. It’s like

Zeke tears a piece

he says, his voice

glance at him, confusion etched

sense of faintness. But Zeke doesn’t answer immediately. Instead, he stands

watch in a daze as Zeke delivers two swift punches to Victor’s face. The sounds of impact echo in the air, sharp and jarring. Victor stumbles backward, his hand flying to his nose, blood trickling between his fingers. I blink, trying

his voice low and menacing. “Lucky that I

care of her first.”

that adds another layer of tension. to the already charged

strange mix of gratitude and confusion.

eyes softening as he sees my bewildered expression. “I’m here, Alina. What

feels rough against my skin as I press it onto the bleeding wound. The pain intensifies, but Zeke’s presence is a reassuring constant. I steal a glance at Victor, who’s still recovering from Zeke’s punches. He’s groaning in

care.

Safe

water

of concern and determination. “We need to get you out of here,” he says, his tone leaving no

a fog of confusion. Zeke’s voice cuts through the haze, urgent and

lifeline in the disorienting swirl of sensations. “Come

persistent reminder of Victor’s reckless actions. Zeke’s hand is on my shoulder, a steadying presence in the midst of chaos. I want to ask him what’s happening, why there are growls and sirens echoing in the distance, but

the growing storm. I blink, struggling

sirens wail, a mournful symphony, and the growls intensify. It’s a cacophony

scoff, his voice a grating interruption.

and callous. “Just f**k off and leave me alone

eyes locking onto mine. “Ignore him, Alina. Focus on staying awake.” His words guide me through the disorientation. I try to nod, but it feels like a heavy effort. The sirens, the growls, Victor’s dismissive

growl that matches the ominous sounds in the distance.

to Zeke’s voice, the anchor

each note playing a part in the disorienting melody that surrounds us. I want to ask Zeke what’s happening, why everything

metallic tang that hangs in the wind. And now, as I feel the warmth trickling down my neck, I can’t help

the surroundings like a hunter on high alert. We’re not alone. I know it. The forest seems to hold its breath,

of blood like moths to a flame. In those stories, the protagonist is warned not to bleed, not to become prey to