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.

looks at me, his expression a mix of confusion and frustration.

should have automatically triggered a cosmic connection. I can’t help but shake my head. The simplicity of his logic is almost endearing, in a comically

doesn’t hold back. “You bit a huge chunk of her flesh, Victor. That’s all you did. Congratulations, you played yourself.”

of my being, a release of pent–up tension and absurdity. Victor’s face contorts with

laughter, realizing that in this moment,

Liberated from the expectations of cosmic bonds and magical connections. Liberated from the weight of Victor’s failed attempt at claiming. It’s like a weight lifted off

my neck, and I feel a bit woozy. Zeke tears a piece of his hoodie, and without a

says, his voice steady. “But not too hard.”

etched on my face. Why?

persistent pain and the growing sense of faintness. But Zeke doesn’t answer immediately. Instead, he stands

sharp and jarring. Victor stumbles backward, his hand flying to his nose, blood trickling between his fingers. I blink, trying to make sense of the scene unfolding before me. Zeke, the usually

Zeke growls, his voice low and menacing. “Lucky that I have to

care of her

a palpable threat that adds another layer of

feel a strange mix of gratitude

softening as he sees my

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 pain, crawling away from us. I don’t know where he’s going, and frankly, I

care.

Safe

twinge of vulnerability. But then he returns with a water bottle, offering it to me. “Drink.” he instructs, and I

eyes a mix of concern and determination.

blood, the world around me blurs, edges fading into a fog of confusion. Zeke’s voice cuts through the haze, urgent

eyes open.” he says, his words a lifeline in the disorienting swirl of sensations. “Come on, I need you

heavy, like I’m sinking into a dark pool. The pain in my neck throbs, a 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 my

me, Alina,” Zeke’s voice is firm, a lifeline in the growing storm. I blink, struggling to keep my eyes open. “Please.”

symphony, and the growls intensify. It’s a cacophony that mirrors the chaos within me.

Victor scoff, his voice a grating

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

disorientation. I try to nod, but it

Zeke mutter something, a low growl that matches the ominous sounds in the distance. The world

to Zeke’s voice, the anchor that keeps

the sirens intensify. It’s like a symphony of chaos, each note playing a part in the disorienting melody that surrounds us. I want to ask Zeke what’s happening, why everything feels like it’s spiraling out

scent, a signal that cuts through the air and travels far. I’ve heard about certain animals being attracted to it, drawn to the metallic tang that hangs in the wind. And now, as I feel the warmth trickling down my neck, I can’t help

hunter on high alert. We’re not alone. I know it. The forest seems to

tales of creatures lurking in the shadows, drawn to the scent of blood like moths to a flame. In those stories, the protagonist is warned not to bleed, not to become prey to