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.”

a comforting

this, Alina. Together.”

and I don’t want to hurt you

her words barely audible, revealing the

listen to me,” I say, my voice a gentle murmur. “We can’t predict what’ll happen, but we can face it together. And I’m not giving up on us.”

gratitude and longing. “I don’t think I deserve someone as patient and understanding as

brushing away a stray tear from her cheek. “You’re worth every bit

moment her fingers make contact with my skin, a grimace forms on my face. I can then feel a wetness against my neck, and my fingers confirm it as they come away

“Zeke, you’re bleeding!”

behind by the strength of her grip during the nightmare. Alina’s eyes welled up with

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 her reassurance.

get you calmed down, okay?”

bandage in hand, I carefully unravel it, feeling the

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

neck, I am relieved to feel the coolness

okay, Alina. Don’t

reflecting in her eyes. As

of me,” she whispers, her voice barely audible over the quiet

reach out, gently brushing her hair away from

the fabric as if trying to unravel the secrets hidden within the plain white surface. “I could have really hurt you, Zeke. What if

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

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

hesitation. “Maybe it’s better if I sleep outside. That way, I won’t

adamant about not allowing her to bear the guilt

alone.

I should be the one

Her eyes meet mine, a mixture of surprise and frustration

“Alina, I can’t be angry at you. We’re navigating uncharted territory, and

the bed, encouraging her to lie 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 is both soothing

okay to feel overwhelmed, Alina,” I say, my fingers gently running

shaky breath, the weight of the night’s events still pressing on

her tighter, the words spoken in the quiet of the room. “You won’t, Alina. We’ll find

I feel the need to lighten the atmosphere. “You know what we need?

small scoff, a hesitant

be

me?” I begin, “You know, when I was younger, I tried to cook dinner for the pack. Let’s just say, it ended up being more

Alina’s laughter grows more genuine, erasing the lines of worry etched

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