Page 44

I watched in horror as Caelen frowned and let go of Desani.

He stepped closer to Anaki, his voice low when he approached.

“You really thought we would have a happily ever after? That we could be mates, Anaki? You’re delusional to think that this would actually work.

It’s funny how you were a water dragon, with your head always in the clouds. ”

“You, your actions...” young Anaki’s voice broke. “You would come to me, we held each other in the night—”

Caelen backhanded young Anaki in the face, and I screamed. He fell to the ground but stood up quickly.

Anaki held me tight and kissed my forehead to keep me still.

“You told me you loved me,” young Anaki whispered.

Caelen, flustered, looked back at Desani.

She tilted her head and gave a small smile.

“Her father is a clan leader; I’ve been given a title to help with their food resources.

I’ll be able to hunt in their waters on their territory.

As for you, I’ve secured your protection since I do hold some regard for you. ”

Anaki held his hand to his chest, like a knife had been pierced through his heart. I have never seen such betrayal in all my life. The betrayal broke his heart and soul. I felt tears well in my eyes and my body nearly collapsed, feeling his past.

“Elena,” the Anaki who held me in my arms whispered to me. “I never loved him like I love you. I didn’t know real love until I had you. You see me. You accept me. I hope you know that. I don’t even feel him anymore.”

“He hurt you, it makes me want to…”

Kill him. I wanted to murder him in cold blood.

A feral growl erupted from my throat, a resonant and thunderous roar that seemed impossible for my human form to unleash. My fingers burned with a searing pain, and the sharp, metallic scent of blood invaded my nostrils, overwhelming and raw.

“Love, be calm, the memory isn’t over yet,” he hissed. Anaki pulled me to standing, and when I looked down at my hands, I saw that my fingernails were no longer human, but long white opaque talons, blood dripping off the tips.

“!Dios Mio! What the fuck?!”

Anaki wiped away the blood from his arms .

“Let go of me!” young Anaki yelled. Armeleo seized Anaki's arm with a vice-like grip, twisting it mercilessly until it was pinned behind his back, eliciting a sharp gasp of pain.

His hand traveled down Anaki's abdomen with deliberate force until he reached the chains on Anaki’s hip.

A deep, guttural groan escaped Armeleo's lips, a sound filled with a primal satisfaction.

“I’ve always had an appreciation for the water dragon mating dances. I can’t wait for you to do one for me.” His long, serpent tongue ran up the side of Anaki’s cheek.

Desani giggled and reached out for Calean. “I told you my brother was ravenous for males. You sure you are alright with him having your mate? My brother isn’t allowed in the clan, he has to stay on the outskirts. Anaki will be alright with that?” She twirled her finger around Caelen’s nipple.

Caelen didn’t look over at young Anaki and shrugged his shoulders. “As long as he offers protection and gives Anaki what he wants, I have no issue.”

Young Anaki struggled against Armeleo. “What are you doing? I will not be hidden away! I will not bond with anyone else! No one! Do you hear me?”

Caelen rushed forward, and Armeleo let go so Caelen could grab young Anaki around the neck and push him to the tree.

Anaki grabbed Caelen’s wrist to let go, but was not using his full strength, I could see it.

His eyes were pleading as Caelen went closer to whisper into his face.

“Do this,” Caelen warned. “Do not make a fuss. If you behave, I will visit you. Just like old times.” Caelen’s eyes softened for a fraction of a second before the look vanished.

Caelen let go, and Anaki fell to his knees.

Caelen wrapped his arm around Desani. “Desani and I will bond tonight. You and Armeleo will as well. I’m doing you a favor, Anaki, you should thank me. This way, perhaps your soul will be saved.” He took one last look over his shoulder.

Armeleo approached him with deliberate steps, his shadow stretching long across the ground as he leaned down to pick him up.

Anaki let out a low, menacing snarl, a sound that rumbled deep in his throat like distant thunder.

The scales on his back, which had previously sliced through his skin, glimmered with an even fiercer intensity, catching the light like shards of polished sapphires.

As if responding to his rising anger, more scales erupted from his arms and legs, spreading like wildfire across his body, creating an impenetrable armor of gleaming, jagged edges.

“Get away!” young Anaki roared, and a fin from young Anaki’s forearm flipped open. Armeleo, not ready for the sudden shift in Anaki’s demeanor, was sliced across the face with the sharpened fin.

“Holy shit!” I shouted. “I hope you keep going.” I kept egging on a fight that had already happened and gripped onto my man’s arms, making sure I didn’t pierce his skin again.

So much was happening right now.

Armeleo roared, his hand to his face. Blood pooled down his face and neck. He pulled his hand away to see the damage, and it was a lot. A flap of skin fell from his cheek, and I could see his teeth inside his mouth.

Glorious!

Anaki continued shifting, with more fins sprouted from his body. He screamed, his eyes glowing with rage. His fingers broke, and talons elongated in their place. He swiped at Armeleo, who appeared to be too shocked to do anything, and sliced across the bastard’s chest.

Armeleo's eyes widened in terror as the jagged edge of Anaki's talon sliced through his skin, leaving a deep gash that was bleeding profusely. He stumbled backward, clutching at the wound, desperate to stem the flow of blood.

As I watched young Anaki continue to shift, still swiping at Armeleo, I knew one thing was for certain. My mate was no pushover, not the weak dragon that Caelen thought him to be.

Anaki was a badass, and I was getting turned on at the sight of it.