Page 25 of Primal Bond

But he knew who else was going to be on the bridge…

He followed her through the ship, trying to ignore the knot of anxiety tightening in his chest.

Finn froze as soon as he saw Zanik standing in the bridge, his imposing frame taking up more space than seemed possible. Every muscle in Finn's body tensed, a deer caught in headlights.

Zanik’s icy blue eyes locked onto him, piercing and unyielding.

For a heartbeat, Finn thought he could play it off. Zanik didn’t know he had spied on him. Didn’t know Finn had seen… that. He could just act normal, pretend everything was fine. Everythingwasfine, right?

Finn forced a casual grin, trying to muster the bravado that had gotten him this far. “Fancy seeing you here. Come here often?”

But the moment Zanik’s gaze bore into him, Finn knew.Zanik knew.

Shit.

Horror twisted in Finn’s gut, the realization hitting him like a punch to the stomach. Zanik knew what Finn had seen.

Zanik’s silence was worse than any words. His expression was unreadable, but the intensity of his stare spoke volumes. Finn’s skin prickled with the weight of it, a flush creeping up his neck.

Okay, play it cool. Just play it cool.

“Uh, Kelara dragged me in here,” Finn said, his voice unnaturally high. He cleared his throat, trying again. “Wanted to keep an eye on me, I guess.”

Zanik’s eyes narrowed slightly, and Finn’s heart hammered in his chest. Why did it feel like Zanik could see right through him? Like he knew every humiliating thought running through Finn’s mind?

He fought to keep his face neutral, to keep the tremor out of his voice. “Don't worry, it’s not like I’m gonna cause any trouble.”

Kelara glanced between them, clearly sensing the tension but not knowing why — but wisely keeping her mouth shut.

Finn just wished he could do the same. “I'll just... stay out of trouble,” he repeated lamely, feeling Zanik’s scrutiny intensify.

Zanik’s eyes flickered with something unreadable, and Finn’s heart skipped a beat. He couldn’t tell if Zanik was amused, angry, or both. Probably angry. Definitely angry.

He swallowed hard, the urge to bolt nearly overwhelming. But he couldn’t run. Not now. Not when he was this close to his goal. He had to stay. Had to face whatever was coming. Finn braced himself for a reprimand, for Zanik to call him out.

But instead, Zanik’s expression shifted to something more business-like. “My contacts have found new intel on Rivek,” he said coolly.

The words snapped Finn out of his mortification. His embarrassment was instantly replaced by a burning need for revenge. He leaned in, his focus sharp. “What did they say?”

He knew his voice came out eager, almost breathless. He couldn’t help it. Any information about Rivek was a step closer to vengeance.

Zanik’s icy stare softened just a fraction. “Rivek frequents an underground frontier club known for catering to those who own human slaves.”

Finn’s stomach twisted. Of course that was a thing — and of course Rivek was a customer. The man was a sadistic bastard.

Memories of his own captivity under Rivek’s thumb flashed through his mind: pain, humiliation, and the sick pleasure Rivek took in his suffering. He clenched his fists, the anger boiling inside him.

“Yeah, that sounds like Rivek,” Finn said, his tone laced with bitterness. “I bet he's a big shot VIP at the evil asshole club. Probably has a new pet to show off every time.”

Zanik shook his head. “According to the intel, Rivek has one specific pet slave. He’s kept them for himself instead of selling them.”

The statement hit Finn like a punch to the stomach. The idea of a monster like Rivek keeping a pet, someone he tormented day in and day out… It made his skin crawl.

Finn’s gut twisted, the imagined horrors of what that human must be enduring under Rivek’s control gnawing at him. The room felt like it was closing in, the walls pressing down on his chest.

He clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms. “We have to rescue them,” Finn said, his voice raw with urgency. “Zanik, whoever it is, we can’t leave them with that monster—”

Zanik’s eyes narrowed, a cold blue glacier that sent a shiver down Finn’s spine. “I’m interested in taking down Rivek,” Zanik replied, his tone icy. “Not running a safehouse for lost humans.”

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