Page 6 of Primal Bond

Kelara nodded. "And he's not holding back this time. There have been whispers about him aligning with other rogue factions, forming alliances. He's trying to find an angle to get leverage."

Zanik's jaw tightened. Rivek was always two steps ahead, always pushing boundaries. His methods were brutal: intimidation, coercion, and outright violence were his tools of choice.

In contrast, Zanik tried to maintain a semblance of order among his organization. Strength and authority were paramount, but he still adhered to a code of honor — a relic from his days as a warrior in his clan. It had worked. Traders, criminals, and smugglers weren't exactly honorable, but they appreciated working for an organization that wouldn't stab them in the back for a few extra credits. People respected Zanik.

But out here in the lawlessness of the sector, respect only got you so far. If Rivek flexed hard enough, Zanik's constellation of suppliers and transporters would pledge allegiance to him in a heartbeat if it meant keeping themselves safe.

Zanik's mind raced through potential strategies. They needed to tighten security around their operations, reinforce their alliances, and hit back harder than ever before.

"Double our patrols," he ordered. "Not near Delta — he'll know that we know about him by now. He'll be hoping we shift our attention there, and leave a flank exposed. Double protection on anything moving through Epsilon instead. No shipment leaves there without an armed escort."

Kelara nodded sharply and left, already mentally compiling the list of tasks.

As he stared out the viewport, the expanse of space stretching endlessly before him, Zanik felt a weariness settle deep in his bones. Always on guard. Always waiting for Rivek's next move. It never stopped.

The Ironclad hummed softly, a soothing sound that belied the tension simmering within its walls. Zanik’s thoughts drifted back to the boy — to thisFinn…

Zanik turned abruptly, eyes scanning the corridor.

Finn was nowhere to be seen.

Chapter three

Zanik's gaze narrowed, the weariness giving way to irritation.

Not now. Notanotherproblem!

He stepped forward, moving with predatory grace. His senses heightened, ears straining for any sound out of place. A faint shuffle caught his attention. He spun down a corridor entranceway, just in time to see a flash of movement disappearing around a corner.

"Damn him," Zanik muttered, lunging after the runaway human.

Finn was fast, but Zanik was faster. His powerful strides quickly closed the distance. Within moments, he caught up, his hand clamping down on Finn's shoulder. The boy struggled, twisting and turning with a desperation that only fueled Zanik’s resolve.

"Let go!" Finn’s voice was raw with fear and defiance, his fists beating against Zanik's chest.

Zanik tightened his grip, effortlessly restraining the boy. Finn’s struggles were pointless against his Borraq strength. The boy was like a trapped zytha, all fight and no flight.

"Where did you think you were going?" Zanik's voice was a mix of frustration and incredulity.

Finn glared up at him, brown eyes blazing with a fire that took Zanik by surprise. "Anywhere but here!"

"Do you even know where ‘here’ is?" Zanik’s patience was thinning, but a spark of admiration flickered within him. The boy had guts, he had to admit. "We're moving through space."

"I don't care," Finn spat, his defiance undimmed.

For a moment, Zanik was speechless. "You... don’t care?" he echoed, incredulous.

Finn’s glare didn't waver. "No. I’d rather die than stay here as your pet."

Zanik sighed, his grip loosening slightly. "If you escaped, that would come naturally. You’re in Borraq space, human. There’s nowhere for you to run."

Finn’s jaw clenched, but he didn't respond. His eyes still burned with that fierce, unyielding defiance.

This boy was a problem. A complication Zanik didn’t need right now.

Where in the hell was he supposed to keep a human? Zanik’s gaze swept over the minimal interior of the Ironclad. Every inch of the ship was utilized for function and speed, not comfort. It was a vessel of stealth and combat, not a daycare center for fragile humans.

The central corridor stretched ahead, a maze of metal and shadows. Zanik marched Finn along, his mind churning. He glanced down at Finn, still firmly gripped in his hand.

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