The Mating Run

Chapter 65

In His Eyes: Memories Zeke’s POV

The soft glow of dawn seeps through the cracks in the cabin, casting a gentle light on Alina’s still form. | wake up with a start, a knot of worry forming in my chest. Something feels off, and the quiet hum of the forest outside does little to ease the

unease.

Carefully, | untangle myself from the makeshift bed, the creaking floor beneath my feet betraying my movements. Alina remains nestled in sleep, her breathing erratic. | hover over her, concern etching lines on my forehead. Her forehead feels warm to the touch, and a frown deepens as | realize she’s running a fever.

| try to gently shake her awake, but she remains completely still, her face contorting with every twist and turn as the fever takes hold of her.

“You've got a fever. Hold on, I'll be right back.”

Stepping outside, | am greeted by the forest's fresh morning air, while a rusty bucket catches my eye. One of the sponsors gave me a gift, and it seems like | accidentally left it there. The metal feels cold and unforgiving as | wrap my fingers around it.

With the bucket in hand, | walk over to the gurgling stream and fill it with cool, clear water before heading back to the cabin. Carefully, | immerse a cloth in the cool water, wringing it out to just the right dampness before softly gliding it across her forehead, careful not to hit her bruise. Even in her sleep, she shivers at the touch, feeling the cool water against her fevered skin.

“Sorry if it's cold,” | murmur, my thumb brushing away a stray strand of her hair. “But we've gotta bring that fever down.”

As | finish brushing Alina with the cool water, a low rumble emanates from my stomach, reminding me of my hunger. The chaotic struggle for survival had consumed my every thought, leaving little room to even consider the growling

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hunger in my stomach or the passing of time since my last meal. As | watch her peaceful form, a silent promise etches itself in my heart — she needs nourishment, a key to her recovery.

I lean in and plant a tender kiss on Alina’s cheek as she stirs in her sleep, savoring the softness of her skin. “I'll bring you some food.”

Before setting off into the forest, | make sure to attend to both our bandages, ensuring they are clean and secure. Alina remains oblivious, lost in the cocoon of dreams. My hands moved with careful precision, wrapping each bandage with practiced expertise.

My eyes are drawn to a glint, revealing a small, weathered knife placed on an improvised shelf. Although its blade is worn and weathered, this tool has become an indispensable part of my daily routine. As | reach for it, the weight of the knife in my hand feels reassuringly familiar. | could feel a surge of power awakening within me, as if my instincts were preparing for another exhilarating hunt.

Outside again, the air is a mix of earthy scents and the promise of the unknown.

The forest watches as | step over the threshold, a lone figure navigating its vast expanse. The cameras, hidden among the foliage, track my every move, yet the weight of Alina’s well-being rests solely on my shoulders.

| pause, unable to tear my gaze away from our humble cabin, the memories flooding back with each passing second. Despite my desire to stay by Alina’s side as she sleeps, | am left with no option but to leave. | turn away with a sigh, my determination growing stronger as | feel the gnawing hunger in my belly.

The forest embraces me, its towering trees forming a serene, noiseless ceiling. Navigating the twists and turns of the familiar paths, | rely on my hunter's instinct to guide me. With each step, the rustle of leaves beneath my feet amplifies, resonating through the forest and igniting my senses, making me acutely aware of my surroundings.

As the leaves rustle, a small creature scurries through the underbrush, making its presence known. The knife in my hand feels like a natural extension of my intent, empowering me with a sense of control. With a swift movement, | secure a small

game, feeling the rush of adrenaline coursing through my veins. With the weight of the small creature in my hand, | make my way back to the cabin.

As i peeked inside the cabin, | could hear the gentle sound of Alina’s breathing, indicating that she was still fast asleep. | noticed that her breathing had become less shallow, a hopeful sign since | had been away.

Outside, | light a fire and watch as the flames flicker and emit a gentle, inviting warmth. | take the time to clean the game thoroughly, ensuring that all the skin is removed before skewering the meat on a stick. With the meat sizzling over the fire, its savory scent permeates the surroundings, while my mind can’t help but wander to Alina.

After someone’s injected with a Hupnos, | can only imagine the hazy fog that fills their mind, making it hard to think clearly. | know that their life expectancy significantly decreases after that. It's no surprise considering their intention to harm people, which is a common effect of a drug like Hupnos.

While deep in thought, a sudden lightheadedness washed over me. Sweat drips down my forehead, causing my vision to blur as | clumsily shift in my seat on the log. | wipe the sweat off my face, scanning my surroundings, only to discover smoke billowing out from the ground.

“Shit.” Instantly, | mutter to myself and bring my hand up to my nose, trying to shield myself from the smell. But | know it’s too late, | can feel the smoke coating my lungs with each breath | take. “Shit, shit, shit!”

Since | had a job to do within the Mating Run, the Alpha eagerly provided me with detailed explanations about their elaborate strategies to achieve their desired outcome for the entirety of the game. The smoke rising from the ground accounts for the largest portion of it.

They have smoke that turns Hunters into aggressive beasts. A smoke that can really mess with people’s well-being. And they for sure have smoke that turns people horny.

In His Eyes: Memories

The smoke they are releasing at this moment is exactly what | expected. Looks like they’re in a hurry to wrap up the game. Because if everyone has found a mate, there would be no other option than to vacate the field.

Standing amidst swirling smoke that billows from the ground, | can’t help but feel like the universe is toying with me. Uncertainty hangs heavy in the air, causing me to tense up, anticipating what may come.

And then, unexpectedly, something completely unexpected does happened.

With a protesting creak, the cabin door swings open.

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Alina appears, her body seemingly merging with the ethereal smoke, creating a mystical aura around her. As she steps into the

open, the shifting shadows dance across her face, captivating my attention. The moment our gazes lock, a wave of unsettling realization crashes down on me.

The emptiness in her eyes has faded away, but now there is a disconcerting sense of detachment that has taken its place. The way she looks at me is filled with curiosity, as if I'm a complete stranger to her.

“Hey...” | meet her gaze, and though her eyes linger on mine, | can feel the hesitancy that fractures the deep connection we once had. Urgently, | stress the importance of my words, laden with concern. “Cover your nose. There’s something strange in the air. Don’t breathe it in!”

There is a sense of detachment in her measured response, evident by the slow tilt of her head. I’m not sure if she’s intentionally ignoring the smell or if she genuinely doesn’t notice it, but she carries on without flinching. The smoke-filled air seemed to have left a subtle blush on her cheeks, making it difficult to determine if it was the cause or her fever. With a hungry look in her eyes,

Alina slowly approaches me, her tongue flicking across her lips.

“Sweetheart,” | implore, my heart pounding in my chest. Without fail, | kept my hand covering my nose, trying to block out the smoke. “You need to cover your

nose.”

No matter how hard | try, she’s not listening, lost in her own thoughts. The air is 4/7

In His Eves Memories

thick with an undeniable tension as Alina approaches me, her movements deliberate and filled with an unspoken desire. With soft and curious fingers, she begins to trace the shape of my exposed chest, igniting a tingling sensation throughout my body. As she looks at me from under her lashes, a lump forms in my throat, and a surge of desire courses through me.

She’s gonna be the death of me.

A mixture of anticipation and vulnerability washes over me, causing a low groan to escape my lips. As her fingertips make contact with my skin, a wave of heightened awareness washes over me, stirred by the intention behind her touch.

Overwhelmed by the multitude of sensations, | reflexively attempt to shift away.

But with an unyielding demeanor, Alina’s arms drape over my neck with a sensual grace, enticing me to move closer. Our bodies gravitate towards each other, drawn together in an irresistible magnetic embrace, and | am captivated by the alluring closeness of her presence. Without thinking, my arms embrace her waist, drawing her closer into my embrace.

Alina leans in, her warm breath tickling my earlobe. “You smell good.”

As she breathes, her soft exhale creates a gentle melody that stirs something deep within me. Each word that escapes her lips is like a captivating melody, enchanting me. | succumb to the irresistible attraction, allowing myself to be pulled into the gravitational force of her captivating presence. Her warm breath against my skin sends a shiver down my spine, and | feel an ancient instinct stirring inside me.

In the blink of an eye, | found myself lifting her up and bringing her back into the cabin. It became a whirlwind of arms and legs, a chaotic jumble of bodies colliding and grappling with one another. Moaning and screaming, Alina’s face was a portrait of pure pleasure. My chest swelled with pride and adoration, knowing that | was the reason behind it.

As | placed my hand on her hip, | could feel the softness of her skin beneath my

In His Eyes Memories

touch, as | gently pressed her into the ground. With my chest pressed against her back, | repeatedly lick the side of her neck, savoring her taste. A mating mark.

| realize — | want to claim her as my own. To have her completely. All mine. Mine.

“Holy shit,” With a gentle touch, my lips graze against her neck, causing a shiver to course through her body. My tongue traced a tantalizing line up her neck, leaving a trail of warmth in its wake. “You taste so fucking good.”

| feel my mouth opening, and as it does, my canines extend, sharpened and ready.

Without hesitation, | sank my teeth into her neck, marking her as mine.

“Mine. All fucking mine.”

As | sink my teeth deeper into her skin, she can’t help but let out a pleasurable moan, fueling my desire. “Yes, yes, yes!”

“Let everyone know you're mine. Scream.”

“Yours! I’m all yours!”

| make it a point to satisfy her in every way imaginable, ensuring that she experiences pure pleasure and lets out screams of ecstasy. | can’t hold back as she climaxes, my thrusts becoming insistent, driven by her pleasure. As | gaze at her, | can’t help but be captivated by her beauty, now that I know she belongs to me.

| couldn't ignore the fact that she never once cried out my name. | pause for a moment, my fingers tightening around her waist. 11:59 Sun, 10 Mar 0

In His Eyes Memories

“What's your name?”

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“Alina,” With a delicate whisper and a beautiful smile, she unknowingly confirms my suspicion that she doesn’t recognize me. “You?”

Asmirk slowly spreads across my face, tugging at the corners of my mouth.

“Put that pretty brain to work and remember. You know who | am.”