Page 39 of Primal Bond

Finn had seen something about the newcomers, something that put him on edge.

Kyral was built like a fortress, rugged and gruff, with a voice that commanded attention. “Zanik, was it? I see you’ve trained your human well. Strong hand, traditional discipline." He surveyed Finn. “Perhaps our pets should play together. They’d be an appealing pair.”

That was out of the question, of course. Zanik was about to decline Kyral's suggestion, when he caught a flicker in Finn's eyes.

Almost imperceptibly, Finn nodded.

Zanik's brow furrowed.What are you up to?In their time together, he'd grown accustomed to reading Finn's subtle cues. Right now, everything about the human's body language screamed that he wanted this to happen.

But why?

Zanik hesitated. Finn had proven resourceful before. If he wanted this, there had to be a reason…

Against his better judgment, Zanik trusted him. "Why not?" Zanik shrugged, feigning nonchalance. "Could be entertaining."

Kyral nodded approvingly. "You heard him," he said to his pet. "Go on, show them how it's done."

Zanik watched as Kyral's slave gently took Finn's hand, tugging him away from his position at Zanik's feet to lie down at an equal distance on the floor between their owners' seats.

Zanik's jaw clenched as he watched the new slave's hand slide around Finn's waist. Their bodies pressed together, their faces hidden behind a curtain of the other slave's long hair.

A fierce, primal jealousy flared in Zanik's chest.

How dare someone touch what's mine.

"Kyral, was it?" Zanik said, forcing his attention back to the conversation. "I'm not familiar with your name. What brings you to this sector?"

Kyral began his response — something about trading — but as the seconds passed, Zanik found his focus drifting. His eyes kept darting back to the entangled slaves on the floor. The sight of Finn in another's arms made his blood boil.

Zanik reached for his drink, desperate for something to steady his nerves. As he lifted the glass, the other slave whispered something in Finn's ear.

Finn abruptly sat up, his eyes wide with alarm. "Don't drink that!" he hissed.

Zanik froze, the glass halfway to his lips.

Zanik wasn't the only one that had frozen. Finn and the other slave exchanged hushed whispers, furiously discussing something. And Kyral… he kept his eyes on Zanik. Watching.Ready.

After a long, tense moment, Kyral's pet looked up to Kyral, his eyes wide. "Not him," he whispered. "He's an ally."

Kyral raised an eyebrow, his expression shifting from that cold readiness to amusement. He reached out, plucking the drink from Zanik's hand with a wry smile.

"Well," Kyral said, his tone light but eyes sharp. "I've just been informed that I'mnotsupposed to poison you."

Chapter nineteen

Finn walked alongside Zanik, Jasper, and Kyral as they made their way back to the Ironclad. The ship loomed ahead, its metallic surface glinting under the station's harsh lights. Finn’s heart raced, but this time, it wasn’t from fear. Relief washed over him like a tide, especially as he stole a glance at Jasper.

Jasper looked well, his posture straight and his eyes alert. The two had crossed paths in the depths of despair, both humans ripped from their homes and trapped in Rivek’s hellish grasp. Now, seeing Jasper alive, Finn felt a strange new flicker of hope ignite within him.

“What were you thinking, walking into a place like that?” Finn asked, shaking his head. “You could’ve been caught.”

Jasper shrugged, a sly grin spreading across his face. “I could ask you the same question. We had a plan.”

We. The Borraq named Kyral walked beside Jasper, his expression unreadable. Finn studied him, cautious. He had apowerful build, sharp horns jutting out from his head, and an aura that screamed danger.

Finn had learned the hard way that trusting Borraq didn’t come easily. Zanik was different, but Kyral? He wasn’t sure yet.

Even if Jasper did seem to trust him.

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