Page 105 of Anaki

The sensation was akin to trying to swallow a huge chunk of food that simply refused to go down. My chest constricted, and a wave of heat enveloped my entire body.

My mouth hung open, and I tried to get the words out, but they never came. “I.. I… uh...”

Luis waved his hand in front of my face. “Does this mean I get to choose what I get to call him, Mama?”

Elena held back a laugh and buried her nose into Luis’ hair. “Maybe you should give him time to process. I think your Papa isn’t quite ready.”

Luis looked back at his mother. “No Papi then?”

Elena shook her head. “You call me Mama, which is more of an English term. Papa would be more appropriate, or Dad would fit well. Even Daddy.” Elena bobbed her head and pressed a kiss on Luis’ cheek.

Luis nodded and reached for me. I immediately grabbed him, and our bodies connected in a hug. “Okay, you are Dad, then. I don’t want to call you Daddy because that sounds like it's for babies.”

I snorted and hugged him back.

I have a son. A genuine son. Both of them belonged to me, completely and undeniably mine.

Scales purred for the both of us, happy that we had a family. I nearly forgot where we were until I saw Abuela step onto the path and walk towards us.

She didn’t look like the happy woman I once knew. Her step showed determination. She spoke to herself, and she was holding onto her bag like her life depended on it. The crowd of fae broke away from her as she walked. She was too busy in her own world.

“Something is wrong,” Elena said. “Abuela has only had that face a few times before.”

I stepped closer to Elena, my dragon already puffing up inside me.

“Once, when Abuela took me away, after Emmie murdered her fiancée and fled the country. She wanted to protect me from being taken and married off later.”

I growled, and my teeth lengthened. I had seen enough of what Elena went through. Her father was a bastard. Using his daughters to pay off debts, with arranged marriages and selling their bodies. The male didn’t even help raise his own children after their mother had died. Abuela took them in and raised them to be strong, independent women, as she tried to make up for the sins of having such a terrible son.

“And the other, well, when she finished the moon ritual the next morning. Emm said she swore Abuela must have seen the face of God that day. Now I’m guessing it was the goddess. But why would she fear her? She was nice to us.” Elena looked up to me for answers.

“I don’t know, love.” I wrapped my free arm around her.

Her tight-lipped smile revealed a mix of emotions, conveying both warmth and a touch of sadness. “Elena, I’d like to have a word with you.”

Elena’s anxiety soared, and there was nothing I could do. I would know through her emotions what was happening due to the bond.

“Alright. Anaki, will you take care of Luis?”

Luis’ head was resting on my shoulder. I rubbed my hand up and down his back. “Of course. Do what you need to do.”

“I’ve already talked to Luis,” Abuela said. “One more kiss, mijo?”

Luis turned slowly, his gaze briefly meeting Abuela's before she planted a lingering kiss on his cheek. He then turned away, burying his head back into my neck, finding comfort in the warmth against me. Oh shit!

I worriedly rubbed his back until my fingers found his hair and stroked him gently.

“We’ll take a walk. Come, mija.” Abuela turned and started her walk. Elena stalled.

“Go on, I’ll know where you are. We will come get you if I feel you spiraling.” I pulled her toward me and gave her a kiss on the side of the head.

Elena quietly followed, and with each step my soulkin made, I wanted to race after her. Unfortunately, I knew she had to take those steps alone. Something was wrong, but obviously she needed Elena alone.

I stood there, watching them disappear into the distance. The sound of their footsteps gradually faded away. I felt a comforting warmth through our bond. Beside me, Luis's breathing slowed, eventually lulling into a soft, peaceful rhythm as he drifted off to sleep in my embrace.

Great, I couldn’t ask him what was up then.

“Hey, stranger.” Bear strode up next to me with Nadia in his arms. Nadia was asleep as well, but she was being carried in the popular bridal style, how all the women around here liked to be carried in.