Page 54

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Elena

I took Luis to the cave. Our home now.

We would have to figure out a separate room for him. I’m sure there were other tunnels or parts of the cave that we could use. Anaki was very mindful that he was going to be a father, and while he has spent little time away from me, he’s been thinking of having Luis here. I was sure of it.

“Mama?”

My arms encircled Luis from behind as we paused at the tent's entrance, the canvas flaps rustling gently in the night.

We peered inside, where shadows flickered against the dim light of a lantern.

Luis tilted his head back to look at me, his eyes wide with worry, eyebrows knitted together in apprehension.

He was so young, and he was here having to deal with the death of a grandparent, and finding out about all this shit. Soon he would know his aunt was a damn Luna and a freaking huge, monster dog-thing was his uncle.

“Are you okay? You have this weird look on your face? ”

I let out a shuddering breath and shook my head. “That’s a loaded question. Let’s go.”

I led Luis inside, his eyes wide as he took it all in. He was exhausted. Hell, I was exhausted, but I didn’t think sleep would come anytime soon, for me at least.

Luis was covered in dirt and leaves. I showed him briefly around the cave to get him familiar with it. It kept both of our minds off of what had just happened, a brief time for our minds to reset from the day.

I guided him to the bathroom, and after he assured me he felt comfortable showering and tending to himself, I quietly withdrew. I decided to go on a hunt for something clean for Luis to wear.

To the right of the narrow hallway leading to the bathroom stood an ornate dresser, its wood intricately carved and polished to a sheen.

Expensive, it looked expensive. This part of the cave was unfamiliar to me; I had always dashed in and out of the bathroom, ready to get back to Anaki and more fun times.

He had the body I wanted to explore…

I rubbed my forehead. Probably need to chill on that while Luis is here. I chuckled and opened the drawer to see if I could find one of Anaki’s old-school tunics that looked like they were from the 1800’s but when I looked inside, I found clothes that were for Luis.

Well, cover my tits with peanut butter.

I pulled out the first drawer and found shirts, shorts, pants, all in Luis’ size. There were even shoes, socks and other accessories. Everything a child would need was within this massive dresser.

I sniffed, trying not to cry when I got to the pajama drawer.

The first one was with Transformers, Pokémon, and more cartoon characters. Usually, I just gave Luis a large t-shirt to wear from the men’s clearance rack. For our son to have actual pajamas and in so many designs was unbelievable.

I move them all aside, just trying to pick one for Luis to wear tonight, and curious of what all Anaki had bought. Once I reached the bottom, I found a blue fluffy material. When I pulled it out, my lip wobbled, and I nearly cried when I realized what it was. It was a blue dragon pajama onesie.

When I pulled it to my nose, and it fucking smelled like him.

Did he get me one? He’d better, because I want one, too.

“Are you going to cry again?” Luis was wrapped in a towel, water dripping on the floor behind me.

“Yeah, but they are happy tears. I found you some cute pajamas?” My voice cracked as I held up the onesie, half ready for him to dismiss it. He was getting too old for them, and he was mature for his age.

Instead, he smiled and nodded. “I like it. Looks just like Dad’s dragon.”

Damn it. My eyes were going to be red for days.

Once he was dressed, I led him back into the main room. The large bed was made, with fresh sheets, thank goodness, and I put him in the middle. He turned his head to either side of the mattress and looked at me. “Why are there so many pillows? And blankets? And why is the bed so big?”

I carefully tucked the soft, warm blanket around Luis, ensuring he was snug and comfortable. Not stopping there, I gathered an array of fluffy pillows, placing them meticulously until we were enveloped in a fortress of cushions, each one strategically arranged for maximum coziness.

I bustled around the bed, adjusting and rearranging, determined to create the perfect haven for my son, for myself, and for Anaki when he returned.

With each motion, I huffed and fluffed more pillows, their plush textures yielding under my touch.

Finally, Luis sat up in the bed, surrounded by our cozy creation.

“Mama?”

I perked up and turned to him. “Oh yes, sorry, what? ”

Luis smiled and lay back down. “Is it because you are becoming a dragon you are doing this? Making a… nest?”

My face reddened, and I nodded. “Is that what I’m doing?”

Luis yawned again and buried his face in the pillow. “Yeah, Bones said you would do that. That you will act more animal once you guys got shifter married. But why the big bed?”

Luis closed his eyes, and I crawled up next to him. I brushed his hair out of his face, but he pulled on his hood to show off the tiny dragon horns and the big googly dragon eyes that went with it.

“Because Anaki would want to lie in here as a dragon, so he made the bed big enough for his bigger form, and so we can fit in it, too. But don’t worry, we will make you your own room.”

Luis hummed. “Good. I don’t need to hear dragon noises all the time.”

I didn’t know how to take that. I turned my head away and rubbed his back until he fell asleep.

At least my little man wasn’t crying. He wasn’t sobbing over Abuela, and he wasn’t in a fit of overwhelming disbelief.

Unfortunately for me, I could see right through Anaki’s mind and see what he had done to protect Luis and me. He and Scales fought those creatures and still weren’t able to save everyone.

Not even Meriam, the sweet fae who’d invited Abuela and Luis into their home.

I snuggled closer to Luis, too tired to get up and clean myself off. I couldn’t bear the idea of leaving him right now. What if one of those things came into the cave? He would be left unprotected.

What could I do to save him, though?

I tried to push the claws out from my fingers. My hand shook as I tried to extend them, but to no avail.

We were sitting ducks here if I thought about it. I didn’t have a way to protect us.

At that very moment, Anaki was down there, fighting against a fae who had cruelly snatched away the one person I had shared most of my life with. The woman who had been taken from this world far too soon, leaving a void that could never be filled.

I should have listened to her words more intently, and cherished each word she spoke. I should have believed wholeheartedly in everything she had ever told me. I took her presence for granted, and I failed to shower her with the love and appreciation she so deeply deserved!

I held back a sob and dug my fingers into my hair.

“Abuela, why? Why did you leave? You didn’t have to do this.”

Then she abandoned me with nothing but a name.

A family name that feels like a curse on my tongue, forbidden to ever be spoken aloud.

Why would she do that? Didn't she understand the torment of carrying this burden alone.

Surely she knew I must eventually share it with someone?

Secrets between sisters are a volatile flame, always ready to ignite into chaos.

Just look at the destruction I caused before!

“What have you done?” I whispered into the darkness. “Do you want my insides to explode? Do you really want me to tell? What mind games are you playing?”

Luis stirred beside me.

“Damn you. Damn the magic, the secrets, and our ancestors.”

I must have dozed off, despite being afraid someone would come inside the cave. The nest surrounding us made me feel safe. Anaki’s scent was strong, and I felt nothing could penetrate this fortress of softness.

When I awoke to the faint sound of light footsteps echoing outside the cave, my heart pounded wildly in sudden panic.

The soft shuffle was loud through the stillness.

Beside me, Luis remained peacefully asleep, his small form snugly curled beneath the layers of blankets, his breaths steady and rhythmic.

Carefully, I disentangled myself from the cocoon of pillows and blankets, making a concerted effort not to disturb him.

I moved towards the entrance of the cave, I peered outside and saw that dawn was nearly approaching. Morning light filtered through the trees, casting eerie shadows on the forest floor. And then I saw movement near the edge of the clearing.

My breath caught in my throat as I recognized the silhouette of a figure approaching the cave.

The figure drew closer, and I could make out the familiar features of Anaki’s face, drawn in concern. Relief washed over me when I saw him. He was completely naked, but that didn’t deter me when I jumped on him and wrapped my legs around his waist.

“Hey, love, I’m glad you’re safe.” His warm hand ran up and down my back. “I was worried about you—”

I shook my head into his neck. “Stop, just stop and let me smell you.”

Anaki chuckled softly, a warm, infectious sound that danced through the air.

His hand glided down my spine, a gentle caress that lingered at my lower back before traveling upward, weaving its way into my hair.

The sensation was both comforting and electrifying, sending a shiver of delight through me.

“It’s been a rough night, I promise it won’t always be like this. ”

“What happened?” I whispered into his neck. “Is she… ”

Anaki hugged me tighter. “It was quick, love. She didn’t feel a thing.”

I took in a sharp intake of breath.

“You can’t think about that, love. You can’t. It is what she was destined to do. I’m sure she talked to Tajah about it, too. We can talk to her, okay?”

I nodded silently. “What happens now? What’s happening down there?” When I tried to listen, I couldn’t hear much. My hearing would come and go. My body was exhausted, and the few scales that had appeared on my skin had faded away.

A dragon, I was going to be a dragon.

“They’re cleaning up. Once the mind-link was established, it was over.

It appears only the mated have a mind-link, but with that alone, we can communicate much better.

Mated couples are stronger and feed off each other for strength.

Tajah’s power grew. She was able to shield the Fang, the prospects and the unmated members got in some good fights, but a lot are wounded. ”

“We need to go help.” I stepped away from him so we could get dressed.

Anaki grabbed my wrist and pulled me back. “They will be fine. We will rest. We are still recently mated. I don’t want you around a bunch of unmated males right now. You still haven’t gotten your dragon yet.”

I stomped my foot. “I’m not going after anyone. I’ve only got eyes for you.”

Anaki smirked and wrapped his arm around my waist to lead me back to the cave. “I know that, Mama, but you just lost family. You and Luis are tired and need to process. Locke has given me orders to keep you safe and do what is necessary.”

I let out a low grunt, trailing behind him as he moved to the entrance of the cave.

He grabbed my hand when I wasn’t paying attention, and he suddenly moved me in front of him and pinned me against the cave wall.

The cool, jagged rock pressed into my back as his eyes locked onto mine with an intensity that made the air feel heavy.

“Even if that means rubbing your pussy to make you compliant,” he breathed into my neck.

Butterflies fluttered in my belly. When I felt grief, I knew my Anaki would make me feel better. That was what I wanted right now. A release, a break from all the pain.

“It’s like you know me.” I moaned.

He hummed. “That I do.” He cupped my pussy on the outside of my dress with his palm.

“If I rub your pussy like a magic lamp, do I get three wishes?”

I pressed my lips into a thin line, trying not to laugh. “Maybe.”

He touched my forehead with his. “You wanna know what my wishes are?”

I bit my bottom lip.

“One would be, you would come shower with me. Right now.”

I raised my eyebrows at him and smirked.

“The second you would let me fuck you there. Not sure what way, though, and I think I would have to ask nicely if you would call me a good boy when I do it.”

I snorted and banged my head on his chest.

“And the third would be to let me transform into my dragon and let me curl around both you and Luis while you sleep.”

My eyes softened.

“So I know you are both protected, safe, and warm. Then after, I will make the biggest breakfast casserole you have ever seen and try my best not to feed you too much in front of Luis, because it does gross him out. I can’t make many promises on that, though.”

I giggled. “And these are your wishes?”

My fingers gently combed through the soft strands at the nape of his neck, twirling them absentmindedly as I nestled closer. “Then I guess you better rub my lamp then.”