Page 19 of Anaki

Beretta growled and stood next to me, but I kept my eyes on Tajah.

“Back away, Beretta. Don’t want me to crush her neck.”

Beretta’s black fur filtered down her arm. “Crush her neck and you kill us all. What a plan that is. Let her go.” Beretta’s sharp claws flashed in the light.

Tajah chuckled and brought up her hand to wave Beretta away. “I was too blinded by my anger to notice.”

Luis’ head bounced from Tajah to me. I couldn’t smell fear, just amusement while he sat cross-legged in the captain's chair, leaning in like we were his favorite TV show.

“You’ve found your dragon again, and it's her that has awakened him?” Tajah mused.

I raised an eyebrow in warning.

“I apologize then for calling her—”

“A cripple.” Luis deadpanned. “You called Mama a cripple. She won’t like that.” Luis stood up from the chair and stood by me. “And you are thefirst man to stand up for her.”

I released my grip on Tajah, and she took a deep breath while I knelt down to Luis.

“I’ll always stand up for your mama.”

“Because she is your… soulmate?” His voice rose.

I rubbed the back of my neck, suddenly feeling nervous about talking about this to a child. My child. I guess I should ask permission from her son if I could even date his mother.

My dragon rolled his eyes.

“She is. I’m not ready to tell her that, though. I want her to trust me first. Show her I’m a good male and dragon.”

Luis stood, mimicking my mannerisms by scratching the back of his neck. “Mama doesn’t date. Says they wouldn’t want her anyway. It isn’t true.” He yelled and narrowed his eyes at Tajah.

Tajah’s face flushed.

“You’re right, it isn’t true. I want your mama. I want to take care of her, you, and your grandmother. What do you say to that?”

Luis crossed his arms. “It’s going to be tough. She doesn’t think she deserves to be happy. She only looks out for me and Abuela.”

I hummed in acknowledgement. “I am up for a challenge. I might need your help, if you are willing.”

Luis thought for a moment. “I’ll help if you let me see your dragon. Nadia and Bear said I can see their bears when we get to the cabin.”

“Did they now? Well, mine is still healing from being asleep for so long. I was very sick before I met your mom.”

Luis frowned. “You were? So, Mama healed you?”

“Yes, and now it is my turn to heal her.”

Chapter Seven

Elena

“The town is down there. After eliminating the threat, you will be able to walk around more freely. There is a grocery store, flower shop, even a witchy store.” Nadia directed that last part toward Abuela, pointing toward the quaint town before them.

We were coming down a mountain in a convoy of SUVs. These were a little older, owned by the MC to be less conspicuous and melt in with the rest of the scenery.

This time, Bear drove while Nadia sat beside him. Bear then went on about the typical upper Pacific Northwest weather. Cloudy, rainy. Much different from where we had spent most of our years.

I’m somehow still holding it all together while Abuela asked questions like: Are there farmers' markets in the summers, because “Elena loves buying fresh, home-grown vegetables?—asked somewhat mockingly.