Page 63

Epilogue

Anaki

I jumped down from the bar, my chest soaked with sweat. The place was bustling tonight, and I was relieved that my shift had finally ended.

I wasn’t going home alone now, I had my soulkin waiting for me, with our son tucked away in his own section of the cave.

He had been attending school with Tajah and Bram. Now that his powers had awakened, and Elena and I knew what sort of power Luis held, we knew it wouldn’t be wise to send him to regular school.

Besides, the children who grow up in the Iron Fang wouldn’t be normal either. They would need to be taught here in their early years, to know they were different and to keep themselves hidden until they knew their strength. This was for their sake and for the safety of the humans.

In a few short weeks, Luis went from snapping his fingers to create fire to wielding it and throwing fireballs. This concerned Bram at first, but Luis’ ability to control it in such a short amount of time put him at ease.

Bram would continue to keep us updated on Luis’ progress without letting the others know of his strength. We would still worry about Luis’ future and safety, especially with a power that would be greater than Abuela’s ever was .

Pushing my way through the throng of bodies in the packed bar, I caught fragments of heated conversations about the alarming attacks on the fringes of the Iron Fang territory.

Idris’ rogues, along with those outcasts expelled from the club, were growing dangerously audacious, brazenly invading our land without a shred of fear or concern for the imminent retribution.

We didn’t know if Idris was behind these rogues, trying to make us feel trapped, or if these beings were doing it on their own.

Tajah’s ward around the territory kept us safe, and our families could roam freely within, but there were always shifters and prospects taking shifts now. It brought the normalcy of what a pack should be to protect our land, at least, to the wolves who were used to pack life.

Lately, Locke and Emm had been on edge. There had been attacks of hybrids, fifty to a hundred miles away from town.

With still limited resources, we hadn’t been able to travel to check it out ourselves, but word had gotten around that humans had seen creatures they couldn’t describe.

Half human, half animal with fangs, fur, and claws.

Old legends like Bigfoot, Moth man, vampires, werewolves, and other unexplainable phenomenon that humans used to obsess about resurfaced because of these disturbances.

Were these the Idris hybrids?

All of that brought on worry that the Royal Council would get involved and bother us here in the Earth Realm. Or would they even care? They had their own realm to bother and to rule? I thought the latter.

I grabbed my jacket and slung it over my shoulder.. I didn’t do clean up much anymore, not when I had a family to go home to. Surkash nodded at me when I made for the back of the bar to leave.

Sizzle sat hunched over his beer, the amber liquid barely touched, as he gazed across the dimly lit bar.

His eyes rolled with a mix of boredom and envy, watching as the rest of the inner circle entwined with their partners, sharing whispered secrets and stolen kisses.

He fiddled with the unlit cigarette between his fingers, tapping it rhythmically on the weathered wooden bar, as if weighing the decision to light it or not.

Eventually, he stuffed the cigarette back into his jacket pocket with a resigned sigh and tilted his head back, draining his drink in one swift motion.

With a heavy exhale, he pushed himself away from the bar, the stool scraping against the floor, and strode toward the exit, his pace slow and deliberate as he headed for the door.

Bones sat by the door, the chair tipped back on two legs, his gaze fixed on nothing in particular.

His eyes were dull, like glass marbles. Slowly, he leaned forward, the chair legs thudding softly onto the floor.

His hand disappeared into his worn leather jacket, fingers searching with a practiced motion.

A faint rustle of fabric was followed by the emergence of a syringe, its barrel glinting faintly in the dim light.

I adjusted my jacket, pulling the collar up against my cheek as I watched him from a distance.

With a quick glance around to ensure no one was watching, Bones removed the cap from the syringe and carefully rolled up the sleeve of his worn-out hoodie.

His hand trembled slightly as he discreetly jabbed the needle into his leg.

He lowered his head, his face contorting briefly in pain, and then he swiftly withdrew the needle.

After capping it with practiced ease, he tucked it back into the inner pocket of his jacket, his movements precise and deliberate.

I blinked several times, but before I could link the Alpha, he was already in my head.

“Leave him. I’m watching it.”

I turned to see Locke behind me, and he put his hand on my shoulder.

“Go home to your family. I’ve got it from here.” Locke continued to stare at Bones.

I nodded, my heart pounding, and cast one final, lingering glance at Bones, who lay slumped and lifeless on the table.

Nadia approached, draping a blanket over his still form and whispering something urgent into his ear.

A chill ran down my spine; something was seriously wrong with Bones, and I hoped to the goddess it wasn’t what I thought it was.

As I returned to the cave, I was already peeling off my clothes. I appreciated my human form, but after a long day of bartending, I was eager to unleash my inner dragon.

Elena had been practicing during the day, with her animal self, while Luis was at school.

She was constantly at the lake trying to coax her dragon to speak with her.

She also started up her editing business again.

Many of her clients came back to her after her few-month-long hiatus, and she was ready to dive back into it.

While she didn’t have to work, and I had plenty of gold to sustain us, we all needed something to fulfill our lives, and if she wanted to do it, she was by all means more than welcome.

I continued to strip out of my clothes as I pushed the flap open. The main area of the cave no longer held our nest. It was now a living room with carpets, a large screen tv with video game consoles, a board game cabinet, and even shelving for all of Abuela’s crystals.

Who knows, maybe Luis could use them one day.

The cave was dark as I passed through. Luis was most likely in bed, and Elena could be for that matter. She had been tired the past few days and was falling asleep before I even got home.

I let my dragon out, my scales rippling down my body as I did, and went down the hallway, pushing back the thick drapes of our den chamber.

It was large. The bear shifters did an excellent job creating an area big enough for both of our dragons to lie.

I even got new bedding, and it took a while for Elena to get the nest the way she wanted.

I thought she had gotten even more picky about how she wanted things situated in there, but it really turned me on how she would get all growly about it.

“Elena?” I poked my head inside and didn’t see her there. I then backed away and decided to check on Luis.

I slithered down the dimly lit cavern hallway, the cool stone brushing against my skin, until I reached his room.

Gently, I moved the soft, thick blanket aside, revealing a large bed.

A small nightlight, shaped like a crescent moon, cast a soft glow across the room, splashing stars onto the walls and ceiling, creating a celestial canopy.

The tranquil quiet was almost perfect, yet the absence of a window left the room feeling slightly incomplete, depriving it of natural light and the view of the world outside.

Children loved sunlight, and the ability to see the sun’s rays in their room, but I couldn’t allow it.

My precious family lived here, and I didn’t want any enemy to get to them.

I showed Luis the secret way to get out of the cave, which ended up at the lake.

He was appreciative of that, and the window issue didn’t seem to bother him as much as it did me.

I just wanted him happy.

I was quiet when I went inside and nuzzled my nose into his neck to take in his freshly bathed scent. He groaned and petted my cheek. “Hi Dad. Nothing’s on fire right now,” he mumbled before his soft snores took over the room again.

I chuckled softly, leaving him to his own devices and turned back towards my… our den. As I approached, the warm, inviting glow emanating from our den was noticeably brighter, casting a gentle, golden hue over the stones. The air was filled with the delicate notes of soft music.

My cocks jerked in my seam and I groaned.

She must have a surprise.

A good surprise.

I pranced on my claws up to the den, trying not to giggle.

Scales groaned. “Goddess, pull yourself together.”

I disregarded him and cautiously threaded my head through the blanket, where I was met with an incredibly breathtaking sight.

My soulkin stood there, adorned in a vibrant red silk dancing outfit that shimmered in the soft light.

The fabric clung to her form, her breasts provocatively spilling over the top, while intricate gold chains, glinting like light, wrapped elegantly around her waist and cascaded down to drape perfectly around her thighs.

Each movement sent the chains jingling in time with the music, creating a symphony of sound.

Her gaze was fixed on me with an intensity that made me feel as though I was the very force that kept the moon suspended in the sky.

Her hands beckoned me to come over, and I stumbled over the pillows to get closer.

“You are a fucking idiot,” Scales hissed as I got closer to her.

“There’s my little dragon.” Elena reached up, pulled my head down, and kissed my nose. “I don’t think I’ve ever danced for you, so I tried to practice. It’s belly dancing for humans, I don’t know if it’s the same—.

My cocks instantly fell from my slit. “This is perfect, keep going.”

Elena laughed, and I curled up behind her as I watched.

My tail reached for her, petting her leg as she rotated her hips, moved her soft belly, and twirled her hands and arms around themselves.

I was mesmerized by her as she continued, and I wanted to pounce on her and give her the dragon cocks she so desired.

As she danced, she smiled. “You know, I have something to tell you.” She came closer to me, and her body rubbed up against my neck, her scent permeating the air.

I groaned and let my scent pour over her. “Yes, what is it?” My tongue rolled out of my mouth, and I licked down her neck. I was near panting, ready to have her body.

She leaned closer and brought her mouth to my ear. “I’m pregnant.”

“Yes, I’d love to lick your pussy and later take it in the ass,” I replied, pinning her into the sheets. She squealed while I tried to claw off her top, my tongue wrapping around her nipple.

Scales screamed. “You are so dense! We have impregnated our female!”

I continued to lick down her chest, then her stomach until I reached between her thighs and spread them wide. Then I paused, and my head rose in panic.

“I’m sorry. What?”

Elena’s face was red, with a large smile. “Anaki, we are going to have a little dragon baby.” She began to cry.

I felt her panic and immediately shifted. By the time I was back in human form, she was full-blown sobbing, and I pulled her into my lap, petting her hair. “Goddess, love, it’s okay. Are you upset? I’m so sorry, I didn’t think you would get pregnant so soon. I’m sorry—”

Elena took in a deep breath. “No, I’m happy. It’s just happening so fast! Are you okay with it?”

I beamed and cupped her cheeks. “This is the best day ever! Besides finding you, and Luis. And bonding you. And… fuck this is all amazing. I’m going to be a dad, again!” I wrapped my arms around her and fell into the nest. I peppered her with kisses, both of our chests purring around each other .

“Sure, we can handle this? I mean, this is kind of a big deal?” Elena raised her hand and chewed on her nail.

I tucked her hair away behind her ear. “Of course. I’m here. I’ll be here every step of the way. I don’t know much about dragon babies, since there have always been so few, but… I’ll be the best, I promise. I’ll keep all of us protected. Especially in this cave.” I nuzzled into her neck.

Elena relaxed into my arms as we settled into the nest. “Um, Anaki? I’m not going to have to… uh, lay an egg, am I?”

I pursed my lips together, trying not to laugh. I really was trying, but instead I boiled over with laughter.

“No, a normal human pregnancy. Except, humans bake humans for nine months, right?” Elena nodded. “Dragon pregnancies are actually longer—”

Elena’s body stiffened. “How much longer? Nine months was terrible—”

I sucked in air through my teeth.

Scales chuckled. “Good luck.”

“Fifteen months,” I winced.

Elena sat up and growled. “What do you mean, fifteen months?! For what? For the thing to cook in there? How big does my stomach get? I already have stretch marks!” Elena started speaking in Spanish and I had no idea what she was saying. She stood up and paced around the room.

The only thing I could think about was how sexy she was going to look with a rounded stomach.

We put a baby in her.

Our first try!

I couldn’t wait to see if we could do it again.