Page 68 of Primal Bond

Elian's eyes sparkled, but he grinned, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Damn right, you couldn't have. Who else would keep you grounded?"

Rael laughed, the sound a balm to his soul. "True enough. You always know how to keep me in check."

They stood there, holding each other, as the village buzzed with the energy of new arrivals. Rael's gaze drifted over to Zanik being greeted by old friends, Finn tucked protectively by his side. The sight warmed Rael's heart.

As they stood there, wrapped in each other's embrace, Rael felt a profound sense of peace. This was the future he had fought for, the community he had dreamed of building.

Out in space, the war raged. But here, they were building a new kind of peace.

Chapter thirty-one

The soft grass tickled Finn's back. He lay next to Zanik, staring up at the shimmering stars. The night sky above Vasz was a vast expanse of glistening points, a serene canopy that never failed to take his breath away. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves around them, carrying with it the scents of the forest and the distant calls of nocturnal creatures.

Finn felt an odd sense of peace, one he hadn’t thought possible months ago.

He thought back to when he first arrived in Rael’s village. The Borraq here were nothing like Urlek or Rivek. Finn had to unlearn so many of his preconceived notions. The Borraq he lived among now valued honor and family, their culture rich and complex, far beyond the cruelty he had experienced.

He was surprised by how they accepted him, a human, into their fold. It felt... right, in a way he never thought it could.

Finn turned his head, his gaze settling on Zanik. In the starlight, Zanik’s golden skin seemed to glow, his muscularframe relaxed on the grass beside him. Zanik had changed since they left the smuggling life behind. He was still arrogant, still wore that black leather that made Finn's heart race, but there was an ease about him now, a peace that had been absent before.

"You ever think we’d end up here?" Finn’s voice broke the comfortable silence, low and thoughtful.

Zanik chuckled, a deep sound that Finn felt more than heard. "Not in a million cycles. But I’m glad we did."

Finn shifted closer, feeling the warmth radiating from Zanik's body. "It's strange, you know? Living here... it's different."

Zanik’s hand found his, their fingers intertwining. "You’ve adapted well. Better than I expected."

Finn smiled, his eyes drifting back to the sky. "I guess I had to. Or maybe I just wanted to. It feels like home."

They lay in silence for a while, listening to the sounds of the village at night. The distant calls of creatures, the rustle of leaves, the rhythmic breathing of their peaceful environment all blended into a soothing symphony. Finn felt Zanik's thumb brush over his knuckles, a simple, grounding touch that made his heart swell.

Finn broke the silence, a playful smile tugging at his lips. "So, do you miss all the excitement? Dodging bounty hunters and skirting the law?"

Zanik turned to him, a hint of amusement dancing in his icy stare. "Not even for a moment. I have all the excitement I need right here." He captured Finn's hand in his own, his grip warm and firm. "With you."

Finn's heart skipped a beat at Zanik's words. There was something so sincere in his tone, a depth that made the air around them feel charged. It was as if the stars themselves leaned in to listen.

"You know, for a fearsome Borraq smuggler, you sure are sappy," Finn shot back, laughter bubbling up.

Zanik's expression shifted, a playful sense of challenge washing over him. "Sappy?Would you prefer if I threw you down in the grass and ravish you like a beast?"

Well, that certainly was a suggestion…

Finn's eyes traced the sharp angles of Zanik’s jaw and the impressive curve of his horns that crowned his head. The way Zanik towered over him always made Finn feel small, yet it was a comforting presence, like being enveloped in warmth.

His pulse quickened. The look in Zanik’s eyes stirred something within him, igniting a spark of excitement. With a quick motion, he straddled Zanik. "MaybeI'llthrowyoudown instead," Finn said, his voice light and teasing. He could feel Zanik’s laughter beneath him, the warmth radiating off the Borraq’s body palpable.

It was a stupid joke. Zanik could throw him off at any stage, far more muscular than Finn's still-thin body could dream of managing. Zanik's eyes gleamed with amusement. "You think you can hold me down like this? You’re going to regret it."

Finn chuckled, reveling in the moment. "Regret? Nah. I think the opposite."

Zanik's muscles tensed under him, a powerful figure pretending to be restrained by Finn’s playful hold. The contrast between their bodies was stark; Zanik’s greater size and strength a constant reminder of his nature as a Borraq. But Finn found comfort in the differences. They only made their connection more unique, more special.

Finn settled deeper on Zanik's lap, his heart thrumming as he looked down at him. The Borraq was in his element here on Vasz, among the clan and the wilds. Since they had arrived, Zanik had taken to claiming Finn in ways that made him feel like the most desirable creature in the galaxy. Each possessive glance and primal gesture sent heat racing through Finn’s body, igniting a fire within him that he hadn’t known existed.

The memories of Urlek flashed through his mind, dark and heavy. Urlek had used Finn’s body as if he were nothing but an object, a toy for his twisted amusement. Finn had felt like the lowest of the low, a thing to be tossed aside when it suited Urlek’s whims. But now, under Zanik’s gaze, everything changed. The way Zanik looked at him was a stark contrast — a raw desire mixed with admiration, as if Finn were the most precious thing in the universe. It made Finn’s heart swell and his cheeks flush.