Page 6 of Captive Hybrid

Chapter Three

Mordecai

The growl that pours from my lips is like nothing I’ve ever felt. It crashes through my chest, breaking my ribs, splitting my own ear drums as the sound ravages my throat. The realisation that Zenna was taken sears every nerve ending, my hands shaking.

Somehow, I could have, should have, protected her.

I drop to my hands and knees in human form. The ground is slippery with mud and blood, but I barely notice. My ribs gradually heal, my heart pounding.

Vale is at my side, shifting back into human form. ‘There’s no sign of Zenna. All I found was this.’ He holds out a silver bangle, visibly wincing as it sears his open palm.

I take it, letting the pain wash over me. It’s thick with my mate’s scent. I don’t want to meet Vale’s gaze. My shoulders quake as the soft, tell-tale footsteps of my mother inch closer.

‘C—’ My voice hitches. ‘Casualties?’ The bomb had rocked our convoy, but I realise now it was a diversion, a way to slow us down, as much as to take some of us out. They weren’t trying to kill. They were here to capture. But why would a vamp come for Zenna?

‘None, thank the Goddess.’ Mum kneels besides me. ‘Cai, we have to move out. Many are injured, the witches—’

‘No,’ I roar, sending her stumbling back. ‘We are not going anywhere! I am getting her back!’ On my feet, I can’t control my shaking. I can’t understand why. I’ve been separated from Zenna before, at my own fault. This is different. The bond between us flares to life. I can feel her fear, her own pain and discomfort.

I turn to Vale, needing someone to understand. Before he opens his mouth, Jana and Jaken stumble over. I’d nearly forgotten about them.

Jana’s blonde-pink hair is a mess, but there’s fire in the girl’s eyes. Anger. ‘You’re damn right we’re getting her back.’ She gives me a nod that nearly takes me aback. ‘But we can’t move like this.’ She gestures to what remains of the convoy.

Most of the vehicles are wrecked. Smoke still drifts lazily in the air, obscuring the midday sun. Witches and wolves limp their way over. Those who can move, that is.

I sigh. ‘Where is Odette, Divina?’

‘I’ll find them,’ Mum says quietly, still timid from my reaction.

I touch her arm gently. ‘I’m sorry,’ I whisper.

She only shakes her head. ‘I understand. And we will get her back. Someone took her, Cai, that means they have plans for her. They’ll keep her alive.’

The words left unspoken pass between us. Alive, but not unharmed. For a moment, the scene before me spreads out. The image of devastation and pain. An unprovoked attacked. A young witch, thirteen, named Maddie, cries while Divina sets her shoulder. A yelp, and the witch leans forward, embraced by Divina.

The pain of my wolves runs through my body as if it were my own. Vale is tending to Jana’s bleeding forehead, concern creasing his brows. I wonder if he’s attempting to make up for his concern over Zenna with her friend. The Detective is making himself useful, setting the wounded on boards and holding hands.

My gaze slides over it all.

I should be helping.

These are my people. My pack. Coven.

My heart rages against my chest, the bond between Zenna and I drawn tight. Her fear is a cold blade down my spine. Every moment I’m kept from her is agony. ‘Divina.’ My voice is barely a whisper, but the witch’s dark head snaps up as Mum and Odette come over.

The Dark Witch peers at me. ‘What is it?’ She almost looks like she would set a hand on my shoulder.

‘The bond is deepening,’ Mum says. ‘You can feel her, can’t you?’

‘Where is she?!’ I shout, to no one in particular.

‘Are they hurting her?’ Mum does come and grasp me.

‘I—I don’t know. How does this damn thing work?’

Divina glances around. ‘I might have an idea how to help, but we need to move. We’re out in the open. If we were to be attacked now, I fear we would be slaughtered. Well, not me. But most of your witches.’

Odette glares at her, but Divina just shrugs.

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