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I didn’t ask any questions about that. I was still having a hard time wrapping my head around everything else.

I didn’t want to know what that process was like for someone to change into a shifter.

It’d been less than 12 hours. We traveled at an alarming speed to get from Venezuela to our final destination, which was just a few minutes away, and I’d had my brain fried for the day.

He leaned in closer, his warm breath sending shivers down my spine. "You can trust me, you know," he whispered softly, his voice like a soothing melody amid chaos. "I may be a cuddle slut, but I'm also someone who cares deeply for those around me."

I felt my heart race as his words resonated within me. Despite the uncertainty and fear that lingered in the air, there was something about Anaki that made me want to believe in him. Maybe it was the way he held me so gently, or the sincerity in his eyes.

I pursed my lips. “You don’t know a damn thing about me. Why would you care?” I was shocked by the bitterness in my tone. He’s been nice despite the whole kidnapping my family thing.

His smile dropped, and he leaned in closer. Conversation flowed in the car while Nadia pointed out the sights to Abuela.

Anaki’s forehead was almost touching mine.

His breath fanned my cheek, and I swallowed nervously.

“Let’s just say, I know we are kindred spirits.

I can see you aren’t just hurting physically, Elena.

You hurt here, too.” His hand reached up and pressed at the top of my chest. It wasn’t sexual, it was just below my throat.

I couldn’t tear my gaze away from his intense eyes, a myriad of emotions swirling within them. His touch, though gentle, seemed to reach into the depths of my soul, stirring up feelings I had long tried to bury .

A lump formed in my throat as I struggled to find the right words, to make sense of the conflicting thoughts and sensations that coursed through me. “I... I don’t understand,” I whispered, my voice barely audible above the hum of the car engine.

Anaki's expression softened, a hint of sadness flickering across his features. “You don’t have to understand everything right now, Elena. Sometimes, things are felt rather than explained.” His thumb traced a soothing pattern on my chest, a silent reassurance amidst the chaos surrounding us.

I closed my eyes briefly, allowing myself to lean into his touch, seeking solace in the warmth he offered. Despite the uncertainty of our situation, there was a strange comfort in Anaki's presence, a sense of belonging that tugged at the walls I had built around my heart.

What the hell was happening?

Anaki broke the serious tension when the car turned. “This is home,” he announced and waved for Luis to get out of his seat and stand beside him.

I opened my mouth to protest.

“This is the safest area in town, trust me. No one is gonna be speeding or messing with us.”

I made a noise of disagreement, and he hugged me tighter as he pointed out the sights.

I didn’t squirm in Anaki’s hold, but I was very aware of every movement he made. He brushed his thumb over my thigh. His nose was in my hair while he explained.

The apartments were first. He explained that a lot of men and women who stayed there were survivors who wanted to stay close to the MC, to get back on their feet after they had been saved.

Just because they had been rescued, didn’t mean they had a strong support system where they came from, so the club helped them find jobs in the town until they wanted to leave.

Most of them stayed and even made families of their own .

My heart softened at how an MC would want to take that extra step to help in the aftermath of helping victims of sex trafficking, slavery, and forced marriages.

While I hadn’t had the chance to prove if it was true, the smiles from the people coming from the apartment complex and the waves from the MC across the street were a good sign.

The club on the outside was everything I thought it would be. The dimly lit street was lined with motorcycles, their engines purring like contented beasts. The bar itself, with its weathered wooden door, had the rustic charm of an old tavern.

Engines rumbled, and a faint smell of gasoline filled the air. Rough-looking bikers strutted down the sidewalk, their heavy boots echoing against the pavement, asserting their dominance over the town.

As we drove by, the bar appeared to be even larger, the double-story building making me tilt my head in question.

“At the top there,” Anaki said as he pointed. “Are apartments for a lot of the guys. Wolves need to be in close spaces. Like a pack, just like real animals.”

My eyes stayed on the bar as we drove by. There was even a mechanic shop at the back of it. It was huge compared to a lot of the buildings in town.

“The MC has more wolves than any other supernaturals. I live there some of the time because I work there, but I have my own place. So do Bear and Nadia. They have a cabin in the forest that the MC owns. That’s where we are going.

It's quiet there, Luis, you’ll like it. You get plenty of places to run without getting into trouble. ”

Luis rolled his eyes. “I don’t get into trouble. Not that much.”

Abuela scoffed. “When he gets bored, he does.”

After a few more minutes, we left the bustling town behind, going down a narrow, curvy, gravel road. The dense forest enveloped us, casting darkness as nightfall took hold.

As we approached the clearing, quietness enveloped us. The crunching of gravel beneath the tires was all I could hear besides the distant chirping of crickets and the rustling of leaves. The scent of clean air was refreshing as they rolled down the windows.

Along the gravel road, cabins stood in a neat row, some in the midst of construction, while others remained silent and unoccupied, their windows devoid of light.

At the culmination of the driveway stood the grandest dwelling of them all, an imposing structure that commanded attention.

Vines crawled up the mansion, making it look part of the forest. It was still being built.

Some parts still had fresh stone being laid at the steps, but it was gorgeous.

“That’s the pack house,” Anaki said and opened the door. “A lot of wolves will live there eventually, instead of at the bar.”

I nodded, and Anaki helped steady me as we climbed out of the car. The cabin before us was quaint, with beautiful vines, flowers and bushes already grown around it. The cabin looked brand new but settled so beautifully into the forest.

“This is where we are staying?”

Anaki laughed nervously. “Yeah? What did you think we were gonna do, put you in a tent? Or wait, is it not good enough? I could find somewhere better?” Anaki ran his fingers through his hair and nervously looked over to find Bear. “Hang on, I can find something else.”

Before Anaki ran off, I grabbed his arm. It was the first time I took the initiative to reach out to him. He froze and turned back to me, surprise on his face. “This is great. I’m just surprised. I didn’t think our kidnappers would set us up with something like this.”

Anaki put his hand over his chest. “You wound me yet again. You really think we are that bad of people? ”

"Still deciding.” My lip curled into a small smile. “No one does this for free. There is always a catch.”

Anaki frowned. “While we were told to come get you by orders of our president, Locke, it was for good reason. He cares about your sister.”

I shook my head. “Don’t see how. She’s supposed to be hunting him, catching a bounty on his head.

She isn’t romantic either. She’s more of a one-night stand kind of woman.

” I never did that. While I dated, I looked for the one.

I didn’t give out the goods like Emm and Abuela thought.

A few stolen kisses here or there to find a spark, and when I thought I had found him…

He turned out to be a dud.

“Locke doesn’t give up so easily. You’ll find that out. He’s very… persistent.”

She’s gonna put up a fight. Hope he’s ready for that.

Anaki put his hand on my lower back. “Come on.” He jerked his head to the cabin. “Let’s get you settled. You’ve had a long day.”

That was certainly an understatement.