The Hybrid(One Direction-Zouis)

Chapter Eight- New Home

Chapter Eight- New Home

Yawning, I buried myself further into the warmth that held me close. Even the enticing smell of spicy chicken couldn’t draw me from my little cocoon.

Thump. Thump. Thump.

There it was… a familiar heartbeat. Close to my mother’s, only faster. Just as gentle, almost exactly where I used to nestle my head against her neck.

I whimpered softly at the thought of my mother, her pained brown eyes locking with mine before I passed out. I pressed myself closer to the heartbeat, feeling tears stream down my face.

“Shh, Zayn.” A soft voice whispered in my ear, a hand lightly rubbing them, relaxing me slightly, but I was still crying. My body was jostled slightly and I could feel the person under me move, but I kept my head buried in their chest, my ears flat and my tail wrapped tightly around the person’s ankle.

“I don’t think he’s gonna let go anytime soon, Ni. You can try though.” The chest rumbled, harmonizing with the heartbeat.

Gentle hands were placed on my waist and they tugged, trying to drag me away from my sanctuary. Yelping, I resisted, shaking.

“Shh,” the voice soothed again, humming softly. I relaxed almost immediately, though I kept my grip tight. I was not going to let go this time. “See? Yeah, I’ll try to get him to shower.” The voice paused and the humming resumed. “No, Liam. Go call your girlfriend and do something. Hell, go to the beach house for all I care.”

I could feel the person- who I’d now recognized as my master- moving, probably climbing the stairs. Not that I knew there were any, it just felt like it.

My master sat down on something and gently stroked my ears, making me purr. He chuckled, a gentle finger on my chin. Lifting it, he made me look him in the eye for a moment before I looked away.

“Why were you crying earlier?” He asked softly, still stroking my ears as he hauled us up further onto the bed, making himself more comfortable.

I shrugged lightly, flicking an ear towards him.

“Zayn,” His voice had a warning tone in it. It wasn’t exactly threatening, more like I was going to tell him whether I wanted to or not.

“My mother.” I whispered softly.

“Your mother? Did something happen to her?”

“I-I don’t know. I haven’t seen her in fifteen years.” I whimpered.

“Do you want to talk about it?” I wanted to shake my head no, but the more I thought about it, it seemed like a better idea.

I nodded shakily, taking a deep breath. He rubbed my ears again, subtly avoiding my wound and bringing me comfort.

“It started when I was five…” I started my tale, living through that horrendous moment up onto my first master and even going so far as to explain my cat and finally, coming here.

I hadn’t noticed I was crying until my master gently wiped at my cheeks, his thumbs coming away wet.

“Shh, Zayn, it’s okay. You’re safe here with us.” He soothed softly, pressing a gentle kiss to my temple. “And no more of this ‘master’ crap, ya hear? It’s Louis. Master sounds too… controlling.” He shuddered, looking disgusted. I chuckled, watching him. He grinned down at me, brushing a hand through my hair. “We are clear about the no ‘master’ stuff, correct?” I nodded.

“Now come on, neither of us ate in the car and I’m starving.” I shifted off his lap for the first time that day, watching as he got up and headed towards the door. Before he could open it, I pounced on his back, wrapping my legs around his waist and resting my head on his shoulder.