The Mating Run by Leeka

In His Eyes: Answer

Zeke’s POV

As the morning light streams through the windows, it bathes the cabin in a gentle, golden hue while Alina stirs in my arms.

Shifting slightly to the side, I make sure to give her some room and respond with a smile as I look at her. When I see the look on her face, the smile immediately vanishes. Her gaze is unfocused, her expression confused, as if the events of yesterday are still lingering in the depths of her memory.

“Why are we… naked?”

Her voice is barely audible, a combination of uncertainty and a hint of

nervousness.

“You… you don’t remember? What about me? Do you… remember me?”

With a deep breath, I steady myself, mentally and physically, readying myself for the upcoming conversation that lies ahead. Her attention turns towards me, her eyes locked onto my face, searching for something. For a moment, a wave of fear washes over me, doubting if she will even recognize me. However, a flicker of recognition passes through her eyes, causing her to quickly look away and blink.

“I… I know you. Y–You’re…” Alina’s face contorted into a frown, a mix of frustration and bewilderment evident in her expression. “Ze…ke.”

With a smile on my face, I reach out and wrap an arm around her waist, giving it a gentle squeeze. “You’re right.”

Once again, a frown appears on her face as she instinctively reaches for her neck.

“Why does my neck hurt?”

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In His Eyes: Answer

A pang of guilt tightens my chest as I delicately run my fingers over the faint marks on her neck. Her body trembles at my touch, and I catch her covertly peering at me through her lowered lashes. With a sigh escaping my lips, I lean in and place a tender kiss on the side of her head, causing her eyes to flutter.

“I marked you,” I confessed, my voice so faint that it almost disappeared into the silence. Alina’s eyes widen in surprise at the admission, and she instinctively slaps a hand to her neck, wincing in pain. “I’m sorry, Alina. It wasn’t supposed to happen like this.”

“Marked?”

“Yeah,” I reply, my gaze fixed on her. “It’s a… mating mark. It means you’re mine.”

Pulling away, frustration and confusion are evident on her face.

“Oh, I know exactly what a mating mark is, no need to explain! Just… just, I don’t understand. You were- Were we even anything? Seriously, how did this happen? I just… don’t get it, my thoughts are all tangled and I can’t make sense of anything.”

With a heavy sigh escaping my lips, I found solace in the rhythmic motion of combing my fingers through her hair. Alina remains close to me, but her body language reveals tension, as if she is uneasy in my presence. Although her actions hurt my heart, I know that they may be an unfortunate side effect of the Hupnos injected into her.

“I know,” I say, remorse tainting my words. “And if it makes you feel any better I wanted it to mean something more, something special. But in the heat of the moment, I… I lost control, and now you’re marked.”

I had the urge to smack my forehead, but I couldn’t come up with a different. expression to convey my exasperation. Having a mate is completely new to me as well, and it’s an entirely different experience. I never once imagined that I would have someone like her in my life, let alone someone as incredible as her.

“It doesn’t make me feel better.” Alina’s expression shifts, a subtle mix of emotions playing on hér features. “I can’t believe this happened. I feel like I’m in

2/7

ப

Egos

kind of dream”

feeling the warmth and softness as I give

squeeze.

to make you uncomfortable or do something you weren’t ready for. I just=“.

值

me to leave my mark on her. But just as I start my other sentence, Alina abruptly

now? What does

uncomfortably, feeling the urge to wrap my arms around her and pull her onto my lap. However, she avoids eye contact, making it

find their way into my hair, the familiar texture providing a sense

“No.”

off guard, causing me to flinch. When I look at her again, I notice that she’s frowning, her eyebrows furrowed

“Alina?”

and hangs in the atmosphere. I had thought, hoped, that after the intensity of our connection, she might be willing to leave the Mating Run with me.

face is an enigma, and I can’t discern the thoughts behind those unreadable eyes.

mustered the courage. to reach

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Eyes: Answer

help but feel a pang of hurt

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hoodie – my hoodie – from the makeshift bed and wraps it around herself. She even shields her body away from me, as though

heart sinks, and I fight to keep

“Huh?”

intertwine, something I’ve never witnessed until now. Frustrated, she lets out a

more restless.

Zeke.

like a punch to the gut. Filled with offense and hurt, I forcefully rise from the bed, immediately making my way towards her. As she looks in my direction, her gaze falls upon my naked body, causing her to gasp and quickly look away. That hurts me too, much more than I would like,

everything… you question whether I’m

hand over her face, her

annoyance.

what went down. In my mind, it feels like the Mating Run just started a few days ago. I have no idea, my brain’s a total mess. I thought you were trying to kill me.

what-” With a click of my tongue, I walk towards her and position myself in demanding front of

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Eyes

patched things up, remember? I made sure everything was okay between us. Looking back, I wish I hadn’t done what I

our conversation abruptly. Her tears glisten on her cheeks as I gently brush them away, but when I lean in for a kiss, she flinches, her closed

to me, making sure not to let out a single sound. “In my brain, it’s only been a couple of days. A long time ago? Seriously, how did that happen? That doesn’t make any sense! I remember… hiding in a cave, and then you trying to kill me and

feeling as if I’m being devoured by the overwhelming sense of rejection.

the bad guy here, don’t

she replied, and her eyes locked with mine once more. With her eyes bloodshot from crying, she glares at me and throws her hands up in the air in frustration. “I just need time to understand everything. This is all so overwhelming, and I can’t make a decision in

it feels suffocating, and I can’t help but run a hand through my

I care about you. Why can’t you trust