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Chapter Ten

Anaki

W hat was the saying?

Two steps forward? One step back?

One step forward, two steps back?

Whatever the human saying was, I was behind where I wanted to be with Elena. I thought things were going well. She approved of my body; it was clear when she eyed me up and down in her bedroom.

I know humans have preferences when selecting their males. With the bond that we shared, and my dragon lineage, I would sweep her off her feet. It had worked well with others when I danced on the bar.

Once dragon soulkins find each other, it was natural to show off our bodies.

We were presenting ourselves, showing off the bodies that we had worked so hard for.

I knew I couldn’t show all of myself to Elena, not when her elder and son were in the cabin.

Dragons usually strode around naked when they found their mates, giving them a full view of their bodies.

Goddess, I don’t think I would have done that. Not with her being human and the whole situation between my legs.

Even I knew that would have been a step too far .

My torso, I knew, was appropriate enough to show to everyone in the cabin. While I didn’t have my soulkin chains clipped on my nipple rings to enhance my broad chest and bring her attention to my body, she still had her fill.

Her arousal that gathered near her thighs was a testament to that.

And goddess, when I fed her! She let me feed her. It was all I could do to keep my dragon’s rumblings of satisfaction quiet enough to not scare her off. She was still hesitant, worried; the anxiety rolled off her in waves, but her elder made no attempts to keep me away from her.

Unfortunately, it was Elena who pushed me away, and she stayed away from me for the rest of the day. It hurt that she wanted me clothed and to not look at my body. If I was a fire dragon, smoke would have filled the cabin. Instead, our blood boiled when we longed for her from afar.

“Come on, Anaki.” He waved his hand up and down my body. “You don’t think this is serious, right? Go put your robe back on.”

My eyes burned.

At least she did not cast me out of the cabin, because I would not have abided by that request. I could default by saying she was my charge, still part of the care team, even if it was a lie.

I was here for her. The security team outside were the ones truly watching over them.

I just couldn’t stay away from her—not now.

I thought we got somewhere this morning, but obviously not. I would stay, to see if she would change her mind.

Even if the rejection wounded me more than she would ever know.

I strode up to the cabin. There was no longer pep in my step. It had been two days since Elena had told me to put on a shirt and to stay away from her. I was no closer to having her look at me.

She purposefully stayed away.

While I took her son out into the forest for walks, showed him where to climb the best trees, she stayed inside and worked on her computer. She said she needed to work and provide income for her family.

I wanted to tell her that was my job. I was to provide for her. I had enough money to take care of all of her family, and her sister had Locke.

I let out a low, guttural snarl, and the sound reverberated throughout the forest. With a swift movement, I extended my razor-sharp claws and forcefully swiped at the nearby tree, the rough bark splintering under the weight of my power.

As I withdrew my hand, a surge of frustration swept over me when I saw the bark healed itself, causing me to curse under my breath.

Even the fae that lived in the forest, close to here, healed everything I destroyed. I couldn’t even show my frustration. I wanted something to show off my efforts, and I couldn’t even do that.

“You don’t even have the urge to fight.”

I had to get away from the cabin, away from her. I was succumbing to the darkness again, even with her in my presence. It was like I was being rejected all over again. Only this time, she was right in front of me, and I couldn’t do a damn thing about it.

I had gone up to clean myself and make sure I had enough clothes, so I didn’t have to return for a few days. I needed to stay with her to get my dragon stronger. Do I push her more? How did I know what was too far or not?

“I never liked your affection. You were always too much.”

I could do it to a certain point with my friends. I knew them; I didn’t know Elena that well, and her past male wasn’t good.

After texting Switch to dig up more information about Elena’s past, which I shouldn’t have, but I was desperate, I found out the bastard beat her. It was one police report, a hit to the face. While it was just one report, I knew damn well it happened multiple times.

I couldn’t force her to talk to me. I couldn’t force her to do anything because I didn’t want to cause a flashback, cause her stress.

I pinched the bridge of my nose and felt the heaviness of the bag I carried at my side. The walk back to the cabin should have brought me joy to see her, but it brought dread.

I was failing.

My dragon scowled at me in the darkness. He wanted me to take her from day one. He’s the darker side I’ve only ever let out once. Just once and it damn near killed me when I did.

Not this time. I would not let him take over.

It isn’t like he could anyway; we haven’t gotten any stronger because she won’t get near us.

A stick snapped to the right of me. My nose jutted toward the sound, and I took a deep breath. It was Abuela, her citrus and patchouli scent hit me. She lowered herself to the ground a few yards away and moved the leaves in front of her.

“Never seen moss like this. It’s got sparkles in it. ”

I lowered my shoulders to change my direction toward her. “That’s because it's a fae moss. Don’t ask me what it's called, I’m not a fae botanist. It helps heal trees from damage.”

Abuela hummed. “Yes, like the one you took your anger out on over there.” She nodded her head toward the once-sliced tree.

“Yeah.” I scratched the back of my head. “What are you doing out here? I thought I told you it isn’t safe.” While the club was out watching, they must have thought it was okay when I was close enough to the cabin.

However, I’d warned everyone that they had to stay in the cabin if I wasn’t there. Locke was still out roaming. His wolf was still unpredictable, even if he said he was the one with more control. I wouldn’t risk Elena and her family getting hurt. It seemed that Abuela didn’t listen to anyone.

Abuela waved her hand in dismissal. “My time isn’t up yet. I know how I’m going to go, and it's not by a wolf.” She put her hands on her knees and stood up. “I came out here to talk to you before you came back in. Needed a break from Tajah. She wanted to know my life story.” She rolled her eyes.

I ran my hand through my hair. “What do you want to talk about? When we get back, I can get Luis outside and have him burn off some energy—”

“Stop it.” Abuela stepped toward me. She came chest to chest with me and showed no fear.

Not that she would. She was a formidable woman.

“For a dragon, you sure are a little chickenshit!”

Ouch.

I stepped back to give us space. My dragon huffed in frustration. He couldn’t do anything to this woman because it would upset Elena, and he knew very well I was a— chicken shit .

“You gave up on her right away. Just one time she told you to stay away, and you gave up.” Abuela threw her hands up in the air. “You haven’t even taken off your shirt again. If you did, you would have her in the palm of your hand.”

I ran my hand down my chest.

“She said she didn’t want to see it.” I pouted. I wouldn’t say I’d been doing pushups and crunches ever since that night.

Abuela rolled her eyes. “Because she liked it. She liked it too much. I’m sure your dragon nose could smell it. Thank the gods I didn’t. She hasn’t so much looked at another man since what happened to her so long ago, because she is worried about Luis and me. She needs this, needs you.”

“I haven’t seen her look at me. I haven’t so much as smelled any arousal since that day.” I winced. Probably should not have told her I could smell her granddaughter's arousal.

Abuela scoffed. “She looks at you when you aren’t looking.

It is the most sickening puppy love I have ever seen.

I swear, Luis and I want to throw up every time it happens.

And as for not smelling her, maybe you don’t want to smell it because you are so self-defeating.

I know, I hear that stupid vibration noise between those walls myself, and I’m half deaf.

” She stuck her finger in her ear and gave it a jiggle.

My dragon lifted his head from his resting stance, in my head. She had been… pleasing herself?

And I missed it?

“Wait, what? Why didn’t I hear?” I stepped toward her and grabbed hold of her arm.

“Because you don’t listen, or smell, obviously.

Too self-destructing. You don’t give yourself enough credit.

That bond is there to pull you together, and you are sitting in the living room like a floppy fish, feeling sorry for yourself.

” She pulled her arm away. “Fight for her.” She put her fist in my face. “Tip her over the edge.”

“How do you know so much about a bond? You’re a human, you—”

“I know more than you, obviously! She told me. The Moon Goddess told me all I needed to know. She said you would need a push, and then once Elena takes that step… you will be fine.” Abuela patted my arm like all was well.

I shook my head in disbelief and walked away from her. She stayed behind me as we drew closer to the cabin. “How do you know about the Moon Goddess? About any of this? How are you even a witch?”