Primal Bond (Warlords of Vasz #4)

24. Chapter 24

Chapter twenty-four

T he diversion had been frustrating to Finn. He'd spent the last few days crackling with pent-up energy, waiting for Zanik to finish his smuggling stuff so that they could get back to the club.

Energy that Zanik had been more than willing to run down in between his duties.

Finn definitely wasn't complaining about that. Still.

But the time had passed, and now that they were back, that energy changed into nervousness.

Finn's heart raced as he and Zanik entered the club once more. The familiar scent of alcohol and sweat hit him, making his stomach churn. He kept his eyes lowered, playing the part of a submissive slave, but his mind was racing.

This is it. Rivek has to be here tonight. He has to be.

Because I can't take it if he isn't.

Zanik's hand on his shoulder guided him through the crowd. Finn could feel the tension radiating off the Borraq, matching his own energy. He risked a glance at Zanik's hip, where the clan blade hung. Its presence was both reassuring and terrifying.

As they made their way to a table, Finn's thoughts drifted to Jasper. His friend had trusted him with this task, to bring Rivek down and save the other humans. The weight of that responsibility pressed down on him.

I can't let Jasper down. I can't let any of them down.

"Sit," Zanik commanded, his voice gruff but with an underlying gentleness that only Finn could detect.

Finn lowered himself to the floor by Zanik's feet, trying to ignore the leers from nearby patrons. He focused on steadying his breathing, on staying alert.

Finn sat cross-legged on the cold floor, his back pressed against Zanik’s chair. From his position, he couldn't see much of the club. He forced himself to focus on Zanik, who scanned the crowd with a sharp gaze.

Finn felt Zanik tense even before he said anything.

“Over there,” Zanik murmured under his breath, tilting his head toward a Borraq with a dark vest. “That’s one of Rivek’s men.”

Finn nodded, the tension in his stomach twisting tighter. They had to keep playing their roles, even if every second felt like a ticking bomb. He glanced around the club, the pulsing lights and laughter mixing with his growing unease.

If one of his men was here… then Rivek could show up at any moment.

Sitting at Zanik's feet, he fidgeted. The weight of the situation pressed down on him. He couldn't shake the memories of the last few nights. Zanik’s touch lingered in his mind — rough yet tender, demanding but never cruel. It felt so different from Urlek's hands, which had forced and violated.

With Zanik, he felt… safe? How was that even possible? The man was a killer, a criminal. Finn had every reason to fear him. Yet here he was, anchored by Zanik’s presence.

Every time Zanik touched him, he felt a warmth that no-one else had never offered. It was a dangerous comfort, and Finn was beginning to crave it more than he cared to admit.

Finn’s heart pounded as he glanced up at Zanik, feeling a rush of heat that had nothing to do with the crowded club. The Borraq's intense presence always stirred something deep within him.

What was Finn going to do, once he'd had his revenge? The idea had been slowly creeping up on him, sneaking around his thoughts like a stray cat hunting for mice.

This thing with Zanik… On a hunt for revenge, being claimed and mated every night by the man by his side…

It was good.

And soon it was going to end.

Finn didn't want to think about it. He couldn't let himself be distracted by it. He had to focus on the one thing in front of him — like he'd always done.

For now, he was content to be by Zanik’s side, feeling the steady presence of the Borraq above him. The night was far from over, and their hunt had only just begun.

The atmosphere in the club shifted like a knife cutting through skin. Finn's heart pounded in his chest as the crowd's murmurs quieted, replaced by a palpable sense of unease. He glanced up, following the direction of the sudden silence.

Rivek strode in, his presence dominating the room.

The sight of the man who had torn Finn’s life apart sent a cold shiver down his spine.

The Borraq’s muscular frame moved with a predator's grace, and behind him, a human slave trailed on a chain. Finn's breath hitched.

His pulse quickened, a mix of fear and rage swirling inside him. Memories of captivity flooded his mind — Rivek's cruel laughter, the endless days of pain and humiliation. He clenched his fists, nails biting into his palms.

Zanik stiffened beside him, his eyes narrowing into icy slits. His hand moved instinctively to the blade at his hip, fingers curling. Finn could see the fury etched in Zanik's features, the lip curling in a silent snarl.

Rivek hadn't seen them yet. In just a moment, as he passed, Zanik was going to stand up, blade in hand…

Finn's gaze darted to the human slave walking beside Rivek — and his breath caught in his throat.

He reached out, grabbing Zanik’s wrist, guiding his hand away from the blade. Zanik's head snapped down, eyes wide with confusion and anger.

“What are you doing?” Zanik's voice was a low growl, barely audible.

Finn shook his head subtly, his eyes pleading. “Not now,” he whispered, his voice tight. “It's him !”

Zanik followed Finn's gaze to the boy by Rivek's side—

Asher.