Page 2 of Anaki

The club wouldn’t miss me that much. They would move on, try to save as many other souls as they could because that is what this club was about.

It wasn’t uncommon to put shifters down. I’ve seen it with my own eyes. I’d rather go out my way, not be held down, like an animal.

I had my fun with everyone. Made the jokes, the drinks, and danced on the bar. It was all in good fun, just to see everyone smile for at least a little while. I wanted to make them laugh, make them all laugh, to forget the pain of yesterday and today.

But mine was consuming me, and I didn’t know how much longer I could hide it.

Black spots clouded my vision. How long had I been under? Just a few more minutes, that’s all I needed. Or just stay?

I felt the fish surround me, wrapping me in a cocoon.

A little longer, yes, maybe a nap.

A shout from above had me sitting up in an instant. It was deep, rumbling, a shout so loud I instantly knew who it was. Splashes from the surface, more shouting.

I tilted my head and forced back a smile. If I stayed down here, the stubborn bear would dive in after me if I did not resurface soon.

I pushed my feet into the mud and propelled myself forward. I let my body move and slither, gyrating my hips, legs and body. I tried my best to mimic my dragon’s movements, to feel alive, to find the remnants of him within me.

My lungs burned, and black spots came across my vision. When the light was brighter, I reached out my hand to break the surface, and a strong hand gripped it, pulling me from the waters.

“Damn it, Anaki!” Bear growled when I landed in the dirt.

I took in big gasps of air, starved of the oxygen I needed.

“What the fuck do you think you are doing? Your lips are blue and… you’re naked!” He pulled at his beard and turned away.

When I was done coughing, I broke out into laughter and slung my hair back. “Not that it has bothered you before. Why are you bringing it up now?”

Bear scowled, his hands on his hips like a fussy mother hen. “Nadia is on her way here. I don’t need her to see this.” He pointed to my lower half.

I couldn’t help but lie back, put my hands behind my head and prop up one foot so he could get a full view. “You mean this pose? Why, are you jealous she might find me more attractive?”

Bear and Nadia had a sweet mating. It took Bear long enough to claim her, but with a little pushing of my own, a little makeover for the female, and fattening her up, they did just fine.

At first, I was afraid my relationship with Bear would change. He would want to spend more time with his mate, which he should. However, I was surprised at how they embraced me.

With Bear being a… well, a bear, and me being a dragon, we have similar animal dynamics. We didn’t need a pack to survive, as our animals did well enough on their own. Bears didn’t need packs, so they only came together with other bears to find mates, to trade and hunt with.

Dragons enjoyed their solitude as well. We didn’t have a pack, but there was a hierarchy, with meetings and flocks. We liked social interactions, but also enjoyed our time alone.

Bear lived in a cabin near to the cave I had claimed, which was far from looking like a cave on the inside. Bear had never come inside, so he and Nadia thought I slept on rocks.

While I appreciated Bear and Nadia wanting me to live with them, even going as far as adding an additional bedroom for me, a newly mated couple should not be taking on a lonely dragon.

Especially one that could go rabid soon.

I just wanted someone for myself.

My bruised hearts thumped long and slow. Bear made sure that our friendly, brotherly relationship remained the same, even when I tried to give them space. They both demanded I come to dinners with them and stay in their home often.

They also let me do cuddle piles and sleepovers.

That isn’t normal, and if the bar got hold of that information, it would be the end for all of us.

“Where are your pants?” Bear looked everywhere but me and found them thrown against a tree. He stomped over, picked them up, and threw them in my face.

My body shivered, and I held back a wince when I did. I didn’t want himto see me like this.