Primal Bond (Warlords of Vasz #4)

29. Chapter 29

Chapter twenty-nine

T he air shifted as Rivek turned and bolted away from their fight. Zanik growled, frustration and rage boiling over. He couldn't see in the pitch darkness, but he heard Finn's desperate call, sharp and panicked, "Zanik!"

Everything within Zanik roared to life. He'd sworn to protect Finn, to never let harm come to him again. The primal love he felt surged, almost painful in its intensity. No way he was letting Rivek take this from him.

He lunged forward, relying on his instincts, the way he hadn't done since his days as a clan warrior. His muscles coiled and released, each stride filled with purpose. The chaos around him, the sounds of the military raid, faded into a dull roar. All that mattered was Finn and Asher.

His mind raced as he followed Finn's scent in the dark. He couldn't fail here. He wouldn't lose everything he wanted to protect. "Finn!" he called out, his voice cutting through the darkness like a blade.

"Zanik!"

The sound ignited something primal within him. He didn't think; he reacted. He lunged forward, his clan blade gripped tightly in his hand, trusting his instincts as he dove into the darkness. He couldn’t see Rivek, but he could feel him — a malevolent force, lurking just ahead.

The blade sliced through the air with a hiss, the world narrowing down to that single moment. Zanik’s muscles coiled, every fiber of his being focused on one goal.

He felt the blade meet flesh, a sickening impact followed by Rivek’s choked gasp. The impact reverberated through Zanik’s arm, and he thrust the weapon deeper, feeling the heat of blood splatter against his skin.

Rivek let out a roar of shock and rage. He lurched as he staggered back, clutching at the wound. Zanik’s heart raced, a wild mix of triumph and anger flooding through him.

“You thought you were untouchable,” Zanik growled, his voice low and fierce. “You’re done.”

With a rasping, gasping breath, Rivek collapsed to the ground.

Zanik stepped back, the weight of his victory heavy in the air. He had done it. He had taken down the man who had hurt Finn, who had ruined so many lives.

“Finn!” he called out, adrenaline coursing through his veins. The air was thick with blood and sweat, but Finn's scent was there, near him. Zanik needed to find him, to hold him close—

Zanik reached out into the darkness, his hand brushing against warm skin. He pulled Finn into his arms, relief washing over him as they clung to each other, breathless and trembling.

Finn fit perfectly against him, their bodies melding together as if they were made for one another. Zanik felt the softness of Finn’s frame, the way he melted into Zanik's strength. It was a stark contrast to the chaos surrounding them, a calm in the storm.

“We did it,” Finn admitted, his voice shaky. “You found me.”

“Always,” Zanik promised. A fierce protectiveness surged through him, but also something deeper — something softer.

“I won’t let anyone hurt you again,” Zanik vowed, holding Finn tighter, as if to shield him from the world.

Rivek's pained moan cut through the darkness, interrupting Zanik and Finn's moment. Zanik's muscles tensed, his grip tightening on his blade. He turned towards the sound, ready to finish what he'd started. "Step aside, Finn."

But Finn's hand wrapped around Zanik's wrist, halting his movement. "Wait," Finn said, his voice steady despite the tension in the air. "Don't."

For a heartbeat, confusion and betrayal flashed through Zanik. Did Finn really want to spare Rivek after everything?

But then Finn's hand moved to the blade, his fingers brushing against the cold metal. "Let me do it."

Pride swelled in Zanik's chest, fierce and overwhelming. His clever, tenacious little human never ceased to amaze him.

Zanik's larger hand enveloped Finn's, guiding it to the proper grip on his ancestral blade. "Like this," he murmured, his voice a mix of tenderness and instruction.

"Whatever you want, you can take," Zanik said, the words heavy with meaning beyond just this moment. He wanted to give Finn everything: comfort, safety, a future.

But right now, revenge — and freedom.

Together, they sank to their knees beside Rivek's prone form. Zanik's body curled protectively around Finn's smaller frame, shielding him even now.

Finn paused, his hand steady on the blade. "Aren't you going to try to talk me out of it?" he asked, a hint of challenge in his voice.

Zanik chuckled softly. "I know you well enough by now. That's not going to happen." He wrapped an arm around Finn, holding him close. "This is your choice."

As they knelt there, poised on the edge of this moment, Zanik's thoughts raced. He marveled at Finn's strength, at how far they'd come together. This wasn't just about revenge anymore — it was about Finn reclaiming his power, taking back what Rivek had stolen from him.

Rivek's voice rasped through the darkness, filled with venom. "I recognise you now…" he grated out. "An offcast. A toy that wore out its welcome. You're nothing but a plaything, a hole to fill—"

His words cut off in a wet gurgle. Zanik felt Finn shift in his arms, heard the fierce joy in his voice as he spat back, "You want a hole, huh?"

Pride surged through Zanik, fierce and primal. He tightened his grip on Finn, holding him close over Rivek's downed form. The air was thick with the scent of blood and sweat, but all Zanik could focus on was Finn's rapid breathing, the way his smaller body trembled with a mix of adrenaline and triumph.

This was their moment of victory. They'd done it together, taken down the monster that had haunted Finn's nightmares. Zanik's heart raced, a dark joy flooding through him. He'd protected what was his, and now Finn had claimed his own vengeance.

Suddenly, harsh light flooded the room. Zanik blinked, momentarily disoriented. Heavy footsteps marched in, the unmistakable sound of military boots on metal flooring.

"Everyone on your knees! Now!" a gruff voice commanded.

Squinting in the light, Zanik could see that the only people left in the club were Zanik, Finn, and the humans that Finn had managed to sneak away from their owners. All the other Borraq masters had already fled in the confusion — right into the military's waiting arms.

Zanik's eyes adjusted to see General Terek leading a squad of armed soldiers into the club. The general's gun was raised, his posture ready for command. Unlike in his secret dealings with Zanik, his face was now a mask of stern authority.

Instinctively, Zanik bristled at the order. Every fiber of his being rebelled against kneeling, against showing submission. But he knew this was part of the plan.

He grit his teeth and slowly lowered himself to his knees, guiding Finn down with him. As he knelt, Zanik's mind raced. This was the endgame they'd planned, but the reality of it chafed at him.

He'd asked Kelara to call in an unprecedented favor. He'd let General Terek know about a hive where criminals gathered, a pile of bounties all in one place for anyone fast enough to gather them.

And in exchange, he'd made one request. One strange, unheard of request…

Terek had shown up — but with Zanik on his knees, without anything further to bargain with, there was no guarantee that Terek would honor his side of the bargain. If he wanted to add one extra bounty to the mix… Well, Zanik had the highest one there.

Zanik knelt in the dim light, his heart pounding as he met General Terek's steely gaze. The general's presence filled the room, his authority undeniable. Zanik felt the weight of the moment press down on him, the air thick with tension.

Had he read the general's character correctly? Was this the right Borraq to trust, or was Zanik about to be betrayed — and lose everything, right as he'd secured it?

The general’s lips curled into a knowing smile as he surveyed the humans around him, a glint of something almost amused dancing behind his cold demeanor.

“Looks like the club’s empty,” Terek declared, his voice steady. He turned to his men, his tone commanding. “Report into base: all criminals were caught as they tried to flee. No one was left behind on the station.”

Zanik’s breath hitched in his throat.

“General,” a woman with sharp features and a crisp uniform marched in beside him, her eyes bright with excitement. “We’ve detained some truly high-profile criminals as they attempted to leave the station. The bounties will be incredible!”

Terek crossed his arms, a satisfied grin breaking through his stern facade. “Good work. Let's round them up and take them in.”

“Understood, sir.” The lieutenant nodded. She didn't so much as look at Zanik and the humans, a pleased flicker of ambition lighting her gaze. She knew the game.

As the general turned to leave, he leaned in slightly to Zanik, his voice low and conspiratorial. “I expect a hefty discount on my regular order for this little assist.”

As if he hadn't already made hand over fist with the bounties. Still, that was business — no matter how much profit someone made, they always wanted more.

Zanik met the general’s gaze with an unwavering intensity. “Kelara will make sure you’re treated well,” he replied, his voice steady. “She’s the one taking over my role from this point on.”

Finn’s eyes widened, confusion etching his features. “Wait, what?” he murmured, glancing between Zanik and the general, his mind racing to catch up with the sudden shift.

Terek chuckled, a low, rumbling sound that filled the space as he walked away. “Wherever you're going, keep your nose clean, pup. Don’t make me have to haul you in one day.” With a curt wave of dismissal, he left the chaos of the club.

"You're going?" There was a hunt of panic in Finn's voice. "Where are you going?"

Zanik turned back to Finn, his heart thudding in his chest. He reached for Finn’s hand, their fingers intertwining naturally. The warmth of Finn’s skin against his own grounded him, bringing a rush of clarity amidst the whirlwind of emotions swirling in his mind.

"Wherever you are."

For a moment, Finn simply gazed at him, something too strong to define burning in his eyes. Then he squeezed Zanik’s hand, a silent vow.

Zanik glanced over at the group of humans, their faces a mass of confusion and alarm. Some stood frozen, wide-eyed and uncertain, while others shifted nervously, glancing around as if expecting the chaos to erupt anew. The scent of fear hung heavy in the air, mingling with the lingering musk of sweat and adrenaline.

“Everyone, get up,” Zanik instructed, his voice firm but gentle. “We have a journey to make.”