Page 32 of Anaki

“Never seen moss like this. It’s got sparkles in it.”

I lowered my shoulders to change my direction toward her. “That’s because it's a fae moss. Don’t ask me what it's called, I’m not a fae botanist. It helps heal trees from damage.”

Abuela hummed. “Yes, like the one you took your anger out on over there.” She nodded her head toward the once-sliced tree.

“Yeah.” I scratched the back of my head. “What are you doing out here? I thought I told you it isn’t safe.” While the club was out watching, they must have thought it was okay when I was close enough to the cabin.

However, I’d warned everyone that they had to stay in the cabin if I wasn’t there. Locke was still out roaming. His wolf was still unpredictable, even if he said he was the one with more control. I wouldn’t risk Elena and her family getting hurt. It seemed that Abuela didn’t listen to anyone.

Abuela waved her hand in dismissal. “My time isn’t up yet. I know how I’m going to go, and it's not by a wolf.” She put her hands on her knees and stood up. “I came out here to talk to you before you came back in. Needed a break from Tajah. She wanted to know my life story.” She rolled her eyes.

I ran my hand through my hair. “What do you want to talk about? When we get back, I can get Luis outside and have him burn off some energy—”

“Stop it.” Abuela stepped toward me. She came chest to chest with me and showed no fear.

Not that she would. She was a formidable woman.

“For a dragon, you sure are a little chickenshit!”

Ouch.

I stepped back to give us space. My dragon huffed in frustration. He couldn’t do anything to this woman because it would upset Elena, and he knew very well I was a—chicken shit.

“You gave up on her right away. Just one time she told you to stay away, and you gave up.” Abuela threw her hands up in the air. “You haven’t even taken off your shirt again. If you did, you would have her in the palm ofyour hand.”

I ran my hand down my chest.

“She said she didn’t want to see it.” I pouted. I wouldn’t say I’d been doing pushups and crunches ever since that night.

Abuela rolled her eyes. “Because she liked it. She liked it too much. I’m sure your dragon nose could smell it. Thank the gods I didn’t. She hasn’t so much looked at another man since what happened to her so long ago, because she is worried about Luis and me. She needs this, needs you.”

“I haven’t seen her look at me. I haven’t so much as smelled any arousal since that day.” I winced. Probably should not have told her I could smell her granddaughter's arousal.

Abuela scoffed. “She looks at you when you aren’t looking. It is the most sickening puppy love I have ever seen. I swear, Luis and I want to throw up every time it happens. And as for not smelling her, maybe you don’t want to smell it because you are so self-defeating. I know, I hear that stupid vibration noise between those walls myself, and I’m half deaf.” She stuck her finger in her ear and gave it a jiggle.

My dragon lifted his head from his resting stance, in my head. She had been… pleasing herself?

And I missed it?

“Wait, what? Why didn’t I hear?” I stepped toward her and grabbed hold of her arm.

“Because you don’t listen, or smell, obviously. Too self-destructing. You don’t give yourself enough credit. That bond is there to pull you together, and you are sitting in the living room like a floppy fish, feeling sorry for yourself.” She pulled her arm away. “Fight for her.” She put her fist in my face. “Tip her over the edge.”

“How do you know so much about a bond? You’re a human, you—”

“I know more than you, obviously!Shetold me. The MoonGoddess told me all I needed to know. She said you would need a push, and then once Elena takes that step… you will be fine.” Abuela patted my arm like all was well.

I shook my head in disbelief and walked away from her. She stayed behind me as we drew closer to the cabin. “How do you know about the Moon Goddess? About any of this? How are you even a witch?”

Abuela chuckled to herself and brushed her long, salt and pepper colored hair behind her ear. “I come from a long line of witches. Well, humans who wanted to be witches. I believe my blood holds some witch blood, with some things I’ve been able to do and conjure.” Her lips curled into a smile. “Along with being able to hide my name, I have also conjured up small protection spells for our home in Venezuela to hide us from blood relatives who are hunting us.” She sighed. “I’m not as strong as I once was, though.”

We ascended the creaking wooden steps, each one emitting a soft groan under our weight, until we reached the weathered porch, where she settled into the worn rocking chair. Leaning against the rough railing, I felt its coolness seep through my clothing. Crossing my arms, I embraced the comforting late afternoon breeze, mingling with the scent of fresh forest air and blooming flowers that wove up the post.

“I spent most of my magic on my two granddaughters and great grandson. I came across a text when Emmie was young about the Moon Goddess’s gift of soul mates. I wanted my descendants to have that. The only way for them to receive such a gift was to be mated to a supernatural.”

I tilted my head curiously.

“There was a ritual, an ancient one. My daughters bring it up every so often, making fun of me for it, but they will see why I did it.” She laughed solemnly. “I bore myself to the goddess, begged for her mercy to shine her light on my family, to bless them with lovers that would protect them. Lovethem. Treat them right.”

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