Page 15

Abuela chuckled to herself and brushed her long, salt and pepper colored hair behind her ear.

“I come from a long line of witches. Well, humans who wanted to be witches. I believe my blood holds some witch blood, with some things I’ve been able to do and conjure.

” Her lips curled into a smile. “Along with being able to hide my name, I have also conjured up small protection spells for our home in Venezuela to hide us from blood relatives who are hunting us.” She sighed.

“I’m not as strong as I once was, though. ”

We ascended the creaking wooden steps, each one emitting a soft groan under our weight, until we reached the weathered porch, where she settled into the worn rocking chair.

Leaning against the rough railing, I felt its coolness seep through my clothing.

Crossing my arms, I embraced the comforting late afternoon breeze, mingling with the scent of fresh forest air and blooming flowers that wove up the post.

“I spent most of my magic on my two granddaughters and great grandson. I came across a text when Emmie was young about the Moon Goddess’s gift of soul mates. I wanted my descendants to have that. The only way for them to receive such a gift was to be mated to a supernatural.”

I tilted my head curiously.

“There was a ritual, an ancient one. My daughters bring it up every so often, making fun of me for it, but they will see why I did it.” She laughed solemnly.

“I bore myself to the goddess, begged for her mercy to shine her light on my family, to bless them with lovers that would protect them. Love them. Treat them right.”

Abuela’s eyes warmed with unshed tears. “And she did. She promised me so. She gave me a vision of their future pairings. A wolf and a dragon.” She shook her head in disbelief. “Took me a while to accept it. Your dragon is beautiful, by the way.” She smiled and looked out over the forest.

I wiped a hand down my face. “I still don’t—”

“You don’t have to know everything. You don’t have to know my history; how I came to know shifters, packs.

I know Elysian is real. Just know that I know.

The goddess promised my granddaughters soulmates, even before I asked.

Their souls were destined to be yours and Locke’s in repayment for what has happened to both of you.

This entire club—they will get their repayment in this life or the next. ” She stood up and walked toward me.

If I could have backed away from her, I would. If she knew so much, did she know of my past? Did she know every detail?

A smile played across her lips. “And you think she would care what happened to you?”

Fuck!

I turned away from her, and my chest rose and fell rapidly.

“She won’t care. You don’t know her yet, but she won’t. Because you both share pain, you will heal each other. You just need to make the first move.”

My dragon purred in my chest. His soothing vibrations calmed me despite the anxiety thrumming through my body. I gripped hold of the post, and my head rested on the wood. I took in a deep breath, smelling the flowers.

“And what about Luis? You said that he will get a mate, too?” She was at the railing, looking out over the trees, a sad look on her face.

“He will, in time. His future is still uncertain. The right pieces have to fall into place. I will be gone and won’t be a part of seeing it through. ”

I shook my head. “You are a vibrant woman, I don’t see you passing anytime soon.”

She hummed appreciatively. “My time is short. It is time to pay the price for using so much magic. As long as the people I love are cared for, I will gladly go into the stars with a willful heart.”

With that, I heard her footsteps fall away from me. She opened, then closed, the door with a light click. I could hear Luis’s sounds of amazement through the door.

A purple light exploded on the inside. I stepped to the window and saw Elena, who sat in a chair. She was holding her cane again, a strained smile on her face.

While Abuela’s words hung heavy, my mate was at the forefront of my mind.

Was she hurting because I wasn’t there?

My dragon reared up his head, his claws scraped inside me to pay attention.

How dare you not try harder? he thought.

I put my forehead against the glass.

Why was dealing with a mate so much harder than dealing with my friends? I couldn’t control my emotions around her.

It hurt too much when she rejected me, and now I must face the fact that I needed to step up first. I needed to force my hand. Show her that I would not go anywhere.

My dragon’s deep chuckle reverberated inside me. While he never spoke to me before, I could understand his intentions and wants.

A playful thought came to mind.

If Abuela was right, and Elena wanted me as much as I wanted her, I could put her to the test. If she resembled her sister, and someone provoked her, she would take the bait .

Was the plan slightly evil? Yes.

Would it pull her out of her shell? Most definitely.

I rolled my lips together and chuckled. This would be a night I would tell our little fledglings of... one day.