Page 61 of Captive Hybrid

Chapter Twenty-One

Zenna

As I sleep, in a coma of adrenaline and blood loss, Mordecai talks to me through the bond. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I realise our bond, messaging through it, has stopped causing me pain. It feels… natural.

It’s going to be okay, Zenna. That steady, smooth baritone voice washes over me.

Something jolts, the familiar sensation of being in a car on a rough road.

‘It’s bleeding through the bandage,’ Jana’s angry voice. ‘That vampire tore up her arm—’

‘Shh,’ Mordecai’s soft voice. ‘Don’t. If she can hear you, you’ll scare her.’ You’re okay, he sends down the bond. Just for me. Don’t worry. I’ve got you now.

I must have slept after that, because next thing I know, I’m blinking sunlight searing through my eyelids as a bright-orange sunrise spills over the horizon.

A warm voice floats around me as someone strokes hair out of my face. ‘Hey, sleepy. Mordecai, she’s waking up.’ Jana offers me a tight smile, leaning over me, my head in her lap.

‘You look worried.’ My voice is rough.

‘Here, drink.’ Jana offers me a bottle of water, ignoring my comment.

I don’t remember the last time I ate or drank, so I try to sit up a little and let her help me drink. After downing half the bottle, I wipe my mouth with the back of my hand—my good one—and realise I’m in the back of a truck with four concerned faces peering down at me. I blink around. ‘What happened?’

‘We need to get you inside.’ Mordecai meets my gaze, but instead of relief, his gaze is stormy. ‘Vale, go get Noah. I’m going to have to heal her myself.’

His Second climbs hastily out of the truck. It’s only then I realise we’re not moving.

I try to sit up, to look out the window. ‘Where are we?’ I mumble. I feel a little… drunk. I turn to Jana. ‘Waz there drinkin?’

‘Technically, yes. That vampire attacked you. Divina can’t replace blood, so…’ She meets Mordecai’s gaze. ‘He’s going to help you. We just have to set you up somewhere safe.’

‘Drusilla will notice you’re gone. I couldn’t risk healing you before we got the hell out of there,’ Mordecai says.

I blink as my vision blurs. I’m having trouble making sense of things. I turn to Jana. ‘Something… hurts.’

Sympathy shines all over her face. ‘I know, it’s okay.’ She cradles my head and I close my eyes, glad to be close to my friend again. It feels like months since I’ve seen her.

Again, I open my eyes once more, but this time I’m on the ground in a tent. There are soft blankets under me, a tray of food and water, and a werewolf sitting at my feet. I smile at those silver eyes.

Hey, Zen.

I jerk up. ‘Woah. You can talk to me in wolf form?’

Apparently. Amusement tinges his voice in my mind.

I turn, feeling more awake this time, and more keenly feeling the pain in my left wrist. ‘What’s going on?’

You’re wounded. You lost a lot of a blood. Divina could have closed your wound, but it wouldn’t have healed you properly… but I can.Mordecai, on all fours, pads a step closer to me. He nuzzles my side with his nose.

How? And why are you in wolf form?

This might sound strange, but… werewolves heal fast. It’s part of us.He licks his lips, then nuzzles my wounded hand. I can lick you. It will heal you with our bond, and you’ll regenerate quickly.

I blanche. Ew. ‘You’re kidding.’

I’m not.His voice is soft, hesitant. Please, let me help.

I think of Aidan and Evelyn, wondering if he would ever drink her blood, if the need was dire. I think he would. Because he trusts her. I swallow and lay back down. Okay.

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