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.”

face, streaked with tears, remains a poignant display of sorrow. As I pull her into a comforting embrace, I can feel her body relax

this, Alina. Together.”

and I don’t want to

the fragile admission of

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

up, her gaze meeting mine with a mix of gratitude and longing. “I don’t think I deserve

I reply, my thumb brushing away a stray tear from her cheek. “You’re worth every bit

sudden gasp filled the air, her widened eyes reflecting pure horror, as her hands instinctively reached out to touch my neck. The moment her fingers make contact with my skin, a grimace forms

“Zeke, you’re bleeding!”

I see a mark on my neck, a tiny wound left behind by the strength of her grip during the nightmare. Alina’s eyes welled up with tears at the

reach for the first aid kit, I notice the glistening tears streaking down her face, revealing the depth of her inner turmoil.

get you calmed

feeling the soft fabric

on me, flickering between the bandage and my face, as if searching for answers. “I’m sorry, Zeke. I don’t

securely in place on my neck, I am relieved to feel the coolness providing some comfort.

Alina. Don’t worry

I could see a 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

because of me,” she whispers, her voice barely audible over the quiet hum of the night. “I could have killed you.”

reach out, gently brushing her hair away from her face. “Besides, it’s just a scratch, Alina.”

if trying to unravel the secrets hidden within the plain white surface. “I could

find a way to manage

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

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

shake my head, adamant about not allowing her to bear

alone.

I should be

Her eyes meet mine, a mixture of surprise

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

Instead, I pull her close, my arms enveloping her in a protective embrace. The warmth of the moment is

overwhelmed, Alina,” I say, my fingers gently running

night’s events still pressing

hold her tighter, the words spoken in the quiet of the room. “You

lighten the atmosphere. “You know what we need? A distraction.

scoff, a hesitant

don’t think you can be

when I was younger, I tried to cook dinner for the pack. 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 around the pack’s perimeter for two weeks.”

laughter grows more genuine, erasing the lines of worry etched on her

smiles, her eyes reflecting gratitude. “Thank you, Zeke. I