The Mating Run by Leeka

Zeke’s POV

“Alina!”

In His Eyes: Dreams

The words come out in a choked scream, the syllables stretched and strained.

But there’s no response. Her empty gaze seems to pierce through the darkness, detached and unfazed by the struggle beneath her hands. My chest tightens with fear, as if sharp claws are digging into my ribs, demanding to be set free from the crushing grip that looms over me. Desperation and confusion mingled in my eyes as I wrestled against her tight grip.

“Alina, please!” Struggling to speak, I managed to rasp out my words, my plea echoing in the void that separated us. “Let me go!”

And then, as if jolted awake from a dream, her eyes widen with recognition. In an instant, the vacant look on her face is replaced by a surge of realization, as she comprehends the magnitude of what she is doing. The tightness around my throat loosens, allowing me to take a gasping breath and feel the immediate relief of fresh oxygen entering my lungs.

“Zeke?”

As she speaks, her voice wavers, conveying a sense of confusion and deep remorse. Clutching my throat, I could still feel the lingering sensation of her hands, like a ghostly touch.

“What… What happened, Alina?”

Horror and guilt immediately wash over her face, causing her to recoil. Her hands tremble uncontrollably as she gazes at them, her entire body filled with a sense of unease.

“I don’t… I don’t know. I just… I thought I was dreaming.”

As I sit up, the bed feels even colder than it did moments ago.

“I didn’t mean to hurt you,” she says, her voice a fragile apology in the quiet darkness. “I’m sorry.”

“Alina, it’s okay,” I murmur, my voice an attempt at reassurance. “It was… just a bad dream, right?”

As she looks at me, her eyes, clouded with remnants of the night’s confusion, well up with tears, revealing a blend of fear and sorrow on her face.

“I’m sorry, Zeke,” she whispers, her voice trembling, eyes never wavering from my neck. “I’m so sorry, sorry, so sorry…”

My hand reaches out, delicately cupping her cheek, feeling the softness of her skin.

fell.

“Hey, it’s okay. Don’t cry, come on.’

But her tears kept streaming down her face, leaving gentle pathways as they

I guide her to sit beside me on the bed, the cold reality of the night enveloping us in its presence. “Alina, you can’t blame yourself. We’re both trying to figure this out, and sometimes things get a little messy. It doesn’t change how I feel about

you.”

As I pull her into a comforting embrace, I can feel her body relax against mine, seeking solace in the

through this, Alina. Together.”

and I don’t want to hurt you

words barely audible, revealing the

to me,” I say, my voice a gentle murmur. “We can’t predict what’ll happen, but we can face it

looks up, her gaze meeting mine with a mix of gratitude and

tear from her cheek. “You’re worth every bit of patience and understanding. We’ll find

my

“Zeke, you’re bleeding!”

grip during the nightmare. Alina’s eyes welled up with tears at the sight of blood, her hands shaking as

presence next to mine. As I reach for the first aid kit, I notice the glistening tears streaking down her face, revealing

get you calmed down, okay?”

my voice a calming murmur. With a bandage in hand, I carefully unravel it, feeling the soft fabric and seeing the adhesive side that will soon adhere to my neck,

the bandage and my face, as if searching

securely in place on my neck, I am

Don’t worry about

complex blend of gratitude and guilt reflecting in her eyes. As she tries to maintain her composure, there’s a lingering sense of vulnerability in the air.

audible over the quiet hum of the night. “I could have

out, gently brushing her hair away from her face. “Besides, it’s

secrets hidden within the plain white surface. “I could have really hurt you, Zeke.

chirping in the distance. “We’ll find a way to manage it, Alina. And I won’t let you push yourself away because

shared vulnerability. My words, spoken with a quiet determination, act as an anchor, keeping us grounded in the midst of the unknown storm.

of hesitation. “Maybe it’s better if I sleep outside.

head, adamant about not allowing her

alone.

I should be the one staying

you serious right now?” Her eyes meet mine, a mixture of surprise and frustration flickering

their soft warmth in my grasp. “Alina, I can’t be angry at you. We’re navigating uncharted territory, and I won’t

to lie back. This time, there’s no distance between us. Instead, I pull her close, my arms enveloping

gently running through her hair. “We’ll figure

out a shaky breath, the weight of the night’s events still pressing on her. “I don’t want to hurt you, Zeke.”

in the quiet of the room. “You won’t, Alina. We’ll find a way through this, and I’m not going

to lighten the

a small scoff, a

you can be funny, even if you

Let’s just say, it ended up being more of a bonfire than a meal. The Alpha was so mad at me, he told me to run

of worry etched on her face. Her beautiful laugh fills

gratitude. “Thank you,