Page 16 of Captive Hybrid

She still can’t talk. Every time I try to communicate with her and meet that wall, my fear for her ratchets up a notch.

I brush my teeth and climb into the shower, blasting hot water over me. I need to rescue her this time. I need to help her. I have so much to make up for, and being back here, at this hotel, in this room, only reinforces that. I shove those memories away.

Dressed, I open the door to find Jana holding my tray of food. I lift a brow. ‘You didn’t strike me as a hotel waitress, but since you’re clearly holding my food hostage, come on in. What do you want?’

Jana’s hair is wet, combed back and loose. It makes her look a little softer. She marches into the room, still holding the food. She shifts her weight from one foot to another.

I keep the door open. ‘What do you want, Jana? I’m tired—’

‘Are you going to go after her this time? Are you finally going to be a half-decent mate and actually go after Zenna? You’ve proven useless at everything to do with her, and I just need to know what your plans are.’ The words come out in a rush.

I swing the door shut. ‘Tell me what you really think,’ I murmur. I didn’t particularly want a late-night ambush, but I do understand that she cares about Zenna. ‘I do plan to go after her, but I have to get my people to safety first—’

‘That’s bullshit.’

Part of me agrees. ‘That’s being an alpha. I’m responsible for them, their safety.’

‘And Zenna?’ Jana’s voice is ice.

I swallow. ‘I—’ I never accepted her as my mate. Technically, she’s not part of my pack or coven. I turn with a frustrated growl and end up face to face with the back of the door, and a familiar dent, roughly fist sized in the wood, the same dimensions as my hand. ‘I’m not going to abandon her again. I will do better this time.’ I brush the dent, remembering.

Jana scoffs, setting the food on the floor. ‘Yeah, right. I’m going after my friend, with or without you, wolf. I will drag that evil witch along with me, because I can see she has plans for Zenna.’ She marches toward the door.

I block her, meeting her gaze, though she’s at least a foot and a half shorter than me.

‘What?’ she snaps, fire in her eyes.

‘You’re very protective of Zenna, aren’t you?’

‘Something you wouldn’t know about,’ Jana retorts, quick-tongued.

I search her gaze. ‘Zenna would never forgive me if I let you go off. You don’t stand a chance against a nest of vampires.’

Jana folds her arms over her chest, deflating a little. ‘Divina would.’

‘You don’t know that she would go with you, and even if she would, as you say, if her interest is in Zenna, what makes you think she would bother to protect you?’

The witch wilts. ‘I need to get her back. She is my best friend!’

On a gamble, I set a hand on her shoulder, needing her to understand. ‘I get that. Give me the little time that I need. I will accompany you, and I will protect you.’ I let the passion in my eyes shine for her to see. ‘I am not leaving my mate again.’

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