Page 47 of Primal Bond

Kyral nodded, his expression more reserved but still welcoming. "You look well-rested."

Zanik folded his arms, watching the two. How did they manage this? A human and a Borraq — wherever they were in space, one was going to be free, the other not. He wondered about the unspoken challenges of their relationship. The thought stirred a knot of unease in Zanik's gut.

The conversation flowed without his input. Finn teased Jasper about something, and Jasper shot back a quick retort, laughter ringing in the cramped room.

But Zanik couldn't focus on their levity. His brow furrowed as he recalled Kyral’s mention of his home clan during their first meeting.

Kyral’s clan — Zanik's old clan.

Memories of the past flashed through his mind, unbidden. The old alpha, Arel. A rigid, strict leader, but a fair one. Zanik had admired him once, though he wouldn’t admit it. Arel ruled without hesitation, ensuring their clan's survival… but his control only extended over his clan. He had no sway over the warfront — and what it did to his clansmen.

And Rael, Arel's son and heir. Had Rael truly stepped up after the war? Had he managed to protect their clan after his father passed? Zanik's chest tightened at the thought.

Was it really a safe space for humans, now? Could that safety be trusted to stay?

“Zanik?” Finn’s voice broke through his reverie.

He blinked, refocusing on the group. “What?”

“Lost in thought?” Finn asked, a teasing glint in his eyes.

Zanik grunted, forcing himself to push aside his musings. “Just considering the state of things.”

Kyral exchanged a glance with Jasper, and Zanik felt the weight of their scrutiny. What did they see? He cleared his throat, pushing aside the unease. “Alright, what’s the plan?”

Jasper glanced at Kyral, then back at Zanik. “We’re heading out to keep looking for intel on Asher. He’s been missing too long, and we need to find him.”

Finn's expression fell. “You’re leaving already?”

“Yes,” Kyral confirmed. “It’s best if our two teams split up for now. We’ll cover more ground that way. Zanik, we’ll leave the mission to take down Rivek to you and Finn.”

Jasper's gaze softened. “Stay safe, both of you. If you have a safe way, keep in touch.”

Zanik stood at the entrance of the docking bay, arms crossed as he watched Finn. The human’s gaze remained fixed on Jasper and Kyral as they boarded their ship. Zanik could see the tension coiling in Finn’s shoulders, even though he tried to keep a brave face.

“I guess I’ll see them again soon.” Finn forced a smile but it didn’t reach his eyes.

Zanik knew better. Finn was parting with the one person who understood him in this vast sector filled with Borraq. It made Zanik wonder what it must feel like — being cut off from yourown kind, having only one other member of your species to share life with.

A sharp pang of sympathy pierced through him. Though he preferred solitude, he had always been surrounded by Borraq. But Finn? He had been forced into isolation from his whole species after Rivek had stolen him away.

Jasper had mentioned Kyral's clan was safe for humans, but safety must feel like a cage when you were always hiding from the world. What kind of life was that?

Finn raised a hand, waving at the departing ship even though Jasper couldn’t possibly see it from inside. The gesture felt heavy with longing, making Zanik's heart tighten further.

“Let’s go,” Zanik said abruptly as Kyral's ship readied for departure.

As they walked through the Ironclad’s corridors, Zanik stole glances at Finn out of the corner of his eye. Whatever Finn was feeling, he kept his expression neutral. “What’s next?”

Zanik shoved the thought of Finn’s fate deep into the recesses of his mind. He focused on the task at hand, reminding himself that they needed to gather intel on Rivek. The mission had to come first, before anything else. Whatever happened after that would be a problem for another time.

Yet, as he walked alongside Finn through the narrow corridors of the Ironclad, he felt an ache settle in his chest.

“I need to run a delivery first," Zanik said. "After that, we can attack the club again.”

Finn crossed his arms, brows furrowing. “How long will that take?”

“Depends on the buyers,” Zanik replied, his mind already calculating. “Could be a day if they behave themselves, maybe a few if they don't. It’s tactical, Finn. We can’t rush into this.”

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