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.”

her into a comforting embrace, I can feel her body relax against mine, seeking

this, Alina. Together.”

don’t want to

whispers, her words barely audible, revealing the fragile admission of the turmoil

can’t predict what’ll happen, but we can face it together. And I’m not giving up on us.”

mix of gratitude and longing. “I don’t think I deserve someone as

I reply, my thumb brushing away a stray tear from her cheek. “You’re worth every bit of patience and understanding. We’ll find a way through this, okay?”

reached out to touch my neck. The moment her fingers make contact with my skin, a grimace forms on my face. I can then feel a

“Zeke, you’re bleeding!”

eyes shift downward, and 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

touch, I guide Alina to sit beside me on the bed, feeling the warmth of her presence next to mine. As I reach for the first aid kit, I notice the glistening tears streaking down her face, revealing the depth of her inner turmoil. With a gentle smile, I offer

calmed

it, feeling the soft fabric and seeing the adhesive

by what happened. Her eyes remain fixed on me, flickering between the bandage

in place on my neck, I am relieved

okay, Alina. Don’t worry

reflecting in her eyes. As she tries to maintain her composure,

her voice barely audible over the quiet hum of the night.

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

hidden within the

moment to listen to the birds chirping in the distance. “We’ll find a way to

us in a shared vulnerability. My words, spoken with a quiet determination, act as an anchor, keeping us grounded in

Tentatively, she begins speaking, her voice trembling with a touch of hesitation. “Maybe it’s better if I sleep outside. That way, I won’t hurt

not

alone.

Alina. If anything, I should be the one staying outside.”

right now?” Her eyes meet mine, a mixture of

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

back. This time, there’s no distance between us. Instead, I pull her close, my arms enveloping her in a protective embrace. The warmth of the moment

feel overwhelmed, Alina,” I say, my fingers gently running through her hair. “We’ll figure this out, step by

of the night’s events still pressing on her. “I don’t

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

lighten the atmosphere. “You know what we

scoff,

you can be funny, even if

pack. Let’s just say, it ended up being more of a bonfire than a meal. The Alpha was so mad

more genuine, erasing the lines of worry etched on her face. Her beautiful laugh fills the room, momentarily drowning out

eyes reflecting gratitude. “Thank