The Mating Run by Leeka

In His Eyes: Karma

Zeke’s POV

My heart raced as I followed the sound, the pounding echoing in my ears.

As the trees part, a small clearing is revealed, and in its center stands a figure, concealed in darkness.

“Alina!”

I gasp, feeling a rush of relief wash over me like a tidal wave. I rush towards her, feeling the adrenaline pumping through my veins with each clumsy step. There is a distant look in her eyes as she stands there, lost in her own thoughts. My hands shook uncontrollably as they made contact with her face, desperately searching for any evidence of bruising. Luckily, there’s none.

“Alina, are you okay? What happened?”

She keeps quiet, her focus unwavering as she looks past me. I can’t help but notice the feverish heat that engulfs her skin as I run my fingers over it, sending shivers down my spine.

“Alina, talk to me.” I pleaded, my voice trembling with desperation. Her lips part, but no sound emerges from her mouth. A heavy silence fills the space between us, making it unbearable. “Are you hurt anywhere?”

I wrap my arms around her, feeling the warmth of her body against mine.

“It’s okay, Alina. I’m here. You’re safe.”

The memory of losing her resurfaces in my mind, the raw fear flooding back. I press my lips to her forehead, feeling the warmth of her skin and the softness of her hair against my face.

“I thought I lost you again,” I admit, my voice breaking. “I can’t bear it, Alina. I

1/7

can’t lose you. Why don’t we go back to the cabin? You have to rest to let the fever subside.”

Her eyes flicker with a glimmer of recognition, giving me a surge of hope. Without saying a word, her body eases into mine, offering a sense of solace that I desperately grasp onto. I feel her head resting gently on my shoulder, and with that simple touch, my panic begins to dissipate. Her scent reminds me of home, and it’s where I long to be.

“…-Ke-”

Just as quickly as the calmness spreads through me, I hear her voice, soft and melodic.

I stiffen, feeling a wave of relief wash over me as my lips twitch into a smile.

“Alina?”

“…get…away from…me-”

Suddenly, a searing pain shot through my stomach, blinding me momentarily.

I stumble back, the pain causing a sharp groan to escape my lips.

feel a cloud of confusion descend upon my mind, causing my eyes to widen in shock as I

wave of nausea through me, as it pooled and spread across my skin. Waves of panic surge through me, overpowering my senses

did

her, her piercing gaze fixed upon me, her claws stained crimson with my blood. A vacant look settled in her eyes, as if she were watching the scene unfold

Eyes:

face betraying the desperation I can’t hide. She lifts her hands, and her sharp claws are aimed directly at me. She stares at them as if they belong to someone else. Apart

in an uncoordinated manner. The claws on her hands glint ominously, a stark contrast to the gentleness they once held. I raise one of my hands, palms out,

eyes as she unexpectedly swipes at me with a fierce intensity. Her claws graze my cheeks, causing a sharp sting as

in my

flash, and in a split second, I duck, narrowly escaping the attack, the rush of air grazing my face. I can’t bring myself

in self–defense, I can’t bring myself to

voice hoarse. “What did they do to

In a fleeting moment, a spark of recognition dances in their eyes, before disappearing without a trace. With a predatory gleam in her eyes, she lunges forward once

backward, my heart thumping loudly in my ears.

than this! Fucking fight

vacant and distant, a mere

I once

do? It breaks my heart to see her like

3/7

play. There’s no more room to evade her, and I can’t keep finding ways to avoid her. The inevitable clash draws near, and I can feel the tension

x x

forward. Anguish and helplessness collide, causing me to stagger backwards as my vision blurs. I fall.

afford to stay down. Fueled by determination, I push myself up, my muscles straining

darkness.

“Alina!”

meet, and in that fleeting moment, I see a spark of familiarity before it disappears. It’s a cruel sight,

her next swipe, narrowly escaping her grasp. With a swift motion, I grab her wrist, my fingers closing

of it,

her eyes, the turmoil within is evident, a silent war being waged. I cling to the hope that she’ll break free, that the woman I adore will emerge from the shadows with a newfound strength and resilience. But the vacant

the weight of the situation bearing down on me. “You can’t

4/7

you

from her, she twists forcefully in my hold and slashes her sharp claws in my direction. I stumbled backward, taken aback by the unexpectedness of her attack and I

“Fuck!”

pour from my wounds, my

dead, there’s no way I can

the air sends chills down my back. The sound of her footsteps reverberates in my ears, a clear indication of her determined pursuit. My chest tightens as panic takes hold. I can’t keep running from her indefinitely, and the mere

over my shoulder, my eyes barely catching a glimpse of

to kill me,