Page 11

Bear leaned up against the post and crossed his arms. “There are guards around the perimeter, extra prospects, too.”

Locke’s wolf would rip them to pieces to get to humans not meant to be on the club’s land. He’d better be stable.

My dragon let out a guttural growl, which resonated so deeply the porch shook.

Bear’s eyebrows went up. “Damn, you even got my bear impressed.”

“I am quite large and not just in my pa-”

“Shut up,” Bear snapped. “I swear to the goddess, Anaki.”

I chuckled, and Nadia stepped out onto the porch. She gave me a thumbs up, and wrapped her arm around Bear. “Sorry, Anaki. I had to get you to talk to Bear real quick.” She gave a small smile.

The corner of my lip curled into a smile. I was getting pretty obsessed with my woman.

We all said our goodbyes, and I stepped into the cabin.

My mate and her family’s luggage had already been brought inside, and each person had their own bedroom, except for me, because I wasn’t supposed to be there. The couch was for me, but soon I’ll make my way into Elena’s bed.

You know, if she said I could.

My dragon snorted and licked his lips.

I let out a shaky breath. I really hoped Bear was right, and she really was into me like I was into her. I couldn’t go into detail about just how much I wasn’t at all dominant. Although I was a dragon, I was very—soft.

I looked around the cabin. Luis’ bedroom door was already closed, and I could hear light snores coming from the other side.

My hearing had already improved so much, I could even hear Elena in her room.

Was she getting undressed? Was she going to think of me?

Did she bring any battery-operated friends?

My mind wandered to when she sat on my lap in the car. I haven’t had a hard-on in ages. While I didn’t lose my erection capabilities for a few years after my mate rejected me, unlike most mammal shifters, I still haven’t had an erection in some time.

Hiding mine will be troublesome.

I felt them rouse when she sat so nicely on my lap. Luckily, my position prevented her from feeling them. At least I hope she didn’t. There was a lot to unpack today, and adding that was not going to go so well.

You really think she is going to accept your past, your dragon anatomy? Look how quickly she dismissed the idea her son could become one.

I was staring off into space when I felt a touch on my shoulder. The old woman stared up at me and narrowed her eyes. “Not giving up on her yet, are you?” She put her hands on her hips.

“What, no, of course not!” I stepped away from her. She was like a silent ninja walking around the cabin in those slippers. “I’m just getting started.”

The old woman chuckled, her eyes twinkling mischievously. "Good, good. Persistence is key." She patted my arm before shuffling away to the kitchen. “I knew when she showed you to me that you would be perfect. You both are kindred spirits, I told her.”

I stared at her in confusion.

Strange woman. She couldn’t possibly be talking about the Moon Goddess, could she?

I shook my head, wandered over to the window and gazed out at the moonlit forest. The night was alive with the sounds of nature, a soothing backdrop to my racing thoughts.

Could Elena truly accept all of me, the man, the dragon with certain wants and desires?

Would she be willing to look past the secrets I carried, the weight of centuries on my shoulders?

As I stood there, lost in contemplation, a rapid scratch on the cabin door broke through my reverie.

I approached cautiously. It could only be one person.

Opening the door revealed a familiar furred face, Locke, in his wolf form, his eyes holding a glint of intelligence that spoke of his dual nature.

Locke bumped past me into the cabin, his presence a reminder of the delicate balance we all walked between human and beast. His wolf form padded silently across the room. He still had patches of hair missing, his teeth were sharp and still looked menacing.

I glanced at the old woman. She didn’t seem a bit frightened.

“I take it you haven’t won my Emmie over, since you still look like shit?” she smirked.

I snorted and stared at them both with horror. What was this woman thinking? How did she know who this wolf was?

Locke huffed in annoyance, and he padded to the woman. He took in her scent as she stood there with her arms folded. “I’m Abuela. You and the rest of your people can call me that.”

Locke stared at her, then turned his head and, without another glance, went to the other closed doors. First to Luis’.

Together, we moved through the cabin, Locke committing each scent to memory with a focused intensity. When he got to Elena’s door, I stiffened and growled. I felt my fangs descending. The burn from my gums brought tears to my eyes.

Locke stared at me and stomped his paw in annoyance. I pushed the door open only because I knew Elena was already fast asleep.

She slept soundly, her chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm.

Locke approached her bedside, his wolf form emanating a protective energy that both comforted and unnerved me.

He lowered his head to gently nuzzle Elena's hand, a gesture that seemed surprisingly tender coming from the formidable wolf.

I watched in silence, my heart pounding in my chest. Locke turned to me with a piercing gaze before padding back towards the door. As he passed me, I caught a glimpse of understanding in his eyes.

“Hope you got what you came for, ‘cause you can’t get near her anymore,” I muttered as he stepped out the door.

Locke’s wolfish form didn’t look back when I shut the front door and locked us in for the rest of the night.