Page 61 of Anaki

I rubbed my hand down my face, my claws coming close to my eye. I winced when it scratched the corner of my brow.

Shit, this was going to be hard getting used to again.

“You both moved fast, too. That’s good. I smell her all over you.”

I lifted my lip into a smirk. “Yeah, we did. I was surprised myself. The physical part of us is not a problem, it’s the emotional part that is still rocky. I fucking love bombed her.” I pressed my thumb and forefinger into my eyes.

Bear was leaning up against the wall, and he tapped the back of his head against it. “Not following. What does that mean?”

“Told her she was mine, wasn’t letting her go. I was giving her my broken soul, and I’d do anything to keep her.”

Bear chuckled and pulled on his beard. “Well, I did that—”

“Then I cried.”

Bear gave a horrified look and backed away from me. “You… you cried? In front of her? Did she run away?”

I ran my fingers through my hair and shook my head. “No, she held me and we cuddled for a few hours, then we were going to go on a walk until I brought her here, because I thought she’d got sick. I thought things were fine, but she didn’t let me inside.”

Bear ran his hand down his face. “You fucking cried? Men don’t cry around their women. You let the women cry on you.” He wagged his finger at me.

Damnit, did she think of me as weak now? I couldn’t help all the emotion that swirled inside of me. All the pain that had settled there for years. I haven’t told anyone about it. Elena felt safe.

“What’s done is done. You know I’m not like the rest of you.” I leaned my body on the door and tried to listen to the conversation inside. Was eavesdropping on a private conversation bad? Yes, and Nadia knew that. That didn’t stop Nadia from speaking in a normal tone, and Elena matched it. Elena’s voice would stutter and come in hushed tones whenshe seemed upset. Still, I couldn’t quite hear them. My hearing would come and go.

I wanted to break down the door.

Bear shuffled himself until his shoulder leaned against the wall so he could look at me. “That’s not what I meant. I just mean, fuck. You know how I am. I don’t like to talk all that mushy shit.”

“Man of action, little talk or thought. Yeah, I know who you are.” My smile widened. “Nadia likes the strong, silent type, but I’m going with my gut on this one. The goddess is trying to make it right. Give me a mate who would understand. I’m showing her all of me, even if it terrifies me.”

Bear hummed, his bear rumbling deep within his chest. “Proud of you.” was all he said, and that was all I needed to hear. He put his large hand on my shoulder, and before I could really let the praise sink in, I heard a near-silent sob from my mate. Sniffles, and then the salty tears invaded my nose.

I was done standing on the other side of the door.

My back straightened, and my hand landed on the doorknob. I shook it several times, but it wouldn’t open.

“They are in the middle of an exam. Nadia always locks the door,” Bear said as he tried to pull me back.

I growled, my lip pulled back showing my long, serrated teeth. Bear backed away, his hands in the air. “Fuck! Your face, man.” He stared at it with concern.

Not caring, I pushed the door in with my shoulder. It didn’t budge at first because all the doors in this place were reinforced. Locke had a thing for protection for those who needed it, and if anyone went rabid, we could temporarily lock them in their rooms, or members could lock themselves in their rooms.

My dragon didn’t like it.

I snarled, my voice turned into a low, feral growl, and I shoved forward with an urgent force. My dragon compelled me to get inside quickly. The possibilities that flashed through my mind were terrifying: was Elena injured, distraught, or had someone from the cartel managed to find us? Or worse, could it be Idris?

The mere thought sent a fresh surge of adrenaline coursing through my veins as I hurled myself against the door once more. Bear stepped back, allowing the door to swing open with a creaking protest. Inside, Nadia stood motionless, her expression blank. She knew that if she showed emotion, a shifter could become worse. Meanwhile, Elena was on the far side of the bed, her body trembling like a leaf caught in a storm.

“Way to go, Anaki. You scared her,” Nadia said calmly.

My hearts thundered as I ran into the room. Elena screamed and threw her hands out to protect her head. “No, no! Please! I’ll stop crying!” I stopped and looked back and forth between the two of them.

Nadia stood slowly and put her hand on the bed. “Anaki, I need you to make slow movements now. It appears she has some PTSD.”

“What?” My voice rose higher.

“Post-traumatic stress. From her past with her ex. You barging in here while she was crying probably triggered it. I need you to back up. Bear, stay at the doorway, please.” Nadia’s hand reached out to signal him in a ‘stay’ position.

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