Page 22 of Anaki

“Wait!” Luis unbuckled his seatbelt and sat on Abuela’s lap. “Nadia wasn’t a bear. You were a human before?”

Nadia turned around in her seat. “Yup, I was.”

“So cool,” Luis said. “Could I turn into a bear? Wait, I want to be a dragon!”

Anaki’s smile grew so wide, I thought his face would break.

I sat up straight when reality hit me that my son wanted to become a dragon. There was no way that was happening. How did it happen anyway? With a bite? Was it like legends of vampires?

“I don’t think so, mijo, you go sit back in your seat and buckle up!”

Luis groaned. “No fun, Mama.”

There was no way my son was getting a bite from a dragon. Before my body could tense again, I felt Anaki’s thumb run over my cheek.

I froze, feeling his hand so close to my face. I should have pushed him away. He was too close, touched too much, but the little fantasy in my head ate this up.

I couldn't resist as his touch enveloped my sore muscles in his warmth, it eased the ache and relaxed me.

Anaki chuckled. “Don’t worry. Luis isn’t going to get changed by ashifter or a vampire. Doesn’t work like that. Nadia and Bear fell in love, they are committed to each other, that’s why she changed.”

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.

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