Page 62 of Anaki

I found myself torn between retreating and moving closer to her. I longed to ease her suffering, just as she had soothed me this morning. Yet, what was it that haunted her so deeply that my breaking down the door only added to her distress? I believed she would appreciate my concern, my desire to console her. But instead, I inadvertently dredged up a painful memory, leaving her in turmoil.

Nadia carefully stood up from her seat and rounded the bed. Shepositioned herself closer to my mate. Her knees bent in a crouch; her posture deliberately submissive. Nadia’s movements were slow and deliberate, conveying a sense of caution.

Around the bed, Elena sat with her hand clamped tightly over her mouth, as if to stifle a cry. She squeezed her eyes shut, and tears streamed down her cheeks in a steady flow, glistening like tiny rivers in the harsh light. The room was heavy with tension, each breath and movement echoing in the silent space.

I let out a low, anguished whine that resonated through the air. My scales, glistening and iridescent, began to unfurl and cascade down my arms and across my torso like a shimmering waterfall. An unbearable itch spread through my limbs as they forcefully erupted through my skin.

Pain radiated down my spine. I gritted my teeth when I felt my dragon push himself from my mind to my body. I kept my physical pain silent and pushed the back of my jeans lower as I felt a horrible pain extend to my tailbone.

“Holy fucking shit,” Bear whispered. “You cannot shift here. How big do you fucking get?!”

Nadia darted her head to Bear’s voice. “I said calm!”

I ground my teeth together, a fierce growl rumbling in my throat. “It’s impossible to stay calm when my mate is suffering!” I could feel my tail forcing its way out of my body with a searing intensity. Unlike a lizard's sturdy appendage, mine was sinuous and agile, resembling a serpent, though it never reached the full length of my true form.

“Please, love. It’s me,” I grated.

Elena panted, her sweat sprinkled on her brow.

“Look at me, Mama. Come on. It’s hurting me to stay away from you. Please let me touch you.”

I felt tiny scales gradually emerging across my face. My ears stretched andelongated, becoming sharp and pointed, resembling the tapered leaves of a willow tree.

Nadia was closer to her, and my dragon let out a low growl in her direction. In my periphery, I saw Bear move his arm for her to back away. She did so, thankfully, because I don’t know what my dragon would do seeing our mate in this state.

Elena’s eyes opened, and her hand reached for the sheets of the bed. She grabbed them and held tight to anchor herself.

“That’s it, love. It’s me. Keep your eyes on me, okay?” I kept my voice light and airy as I approached. She didn’t scream, but her eyes still watered. “I’m coming around the bed. I’m going to come closer.”

She hiccupped softly, her frail body slumped against the cold, unforgiving floor. Her eyes, a mixture of fear and confusion, lingered on me, scanning up and down before she edged closer to the wall. It tore at my heart to witness her retreating from me like that. Every fiber of my being longed to embrace her, to shield her from harm, but the true battle raged within her, an internal storm from which I could offer no refuge. Helplessness weighed heavily on me, knowing there was nothing I could do to quell the turmoil she faced.

“That’s it. There’s my love. I’m here. I’m going to pick you up now, okay?” I sat on the floor and scooped her up into my arms. Immediately, she wrapped her arms around my neck and buried her face into my chest. My tail wrapped around her as well.

Yes, this was right. So right.

Nadia stood and pointed to the door as she headed out, closing it behind her. I nodded my head in thanks and took a big sigh.

I petted my mate’s hair as I rocked her. “Shh, it’s going to be okay. I’m here, I will not let anything happen to you.”

This had to be about her ex. A fiery rage surged through me, and I wishedhe were alive just so I could tear him apart limb from limb, obliterate him into dust, and scatter his remains to the winds. A feral growl erupted from deep within, vibrating through my very core, as Elena whimpered once more. The growl threatened to turn into a roar, but my dragon intervened, releasing a deep, resonant purr—a sound I could never produce on my own—to calm and comfort her.

My mate let out a hoarse breath. “Anaki?” Her hand gripped my tight shirt, and she took in a deep breath.

“It’s alright. Everything is fine. You are in the medical room, and you gave us a scare.” I ran my hand up and down her arm. “I heard you crying, smelled your tears, and tried to bust down the door.” I chuckled nervously and pressed a kiss to her forehead. “I’m so sorry I acted so brashly, my dragon couldn’t stand hearing you cry.”

She hummed and tried to bury herself further into my hold. I didn’t complain, not one bit, especially after the morning I had and the words that Bear had spoken earlier. I felt… emasculated.

“No, it wasn’t your fault. I was surprised, and memories from my past flared up and—” she went silent and rubbed her nose against my neck.

I pushed her hair away from her face so she couldn’t hide from me. “Do you want to talk about it, or just rest?” I couldn’t force her to tell me what happened in her past. It wasn’t right, especially since I had yet to scratch the surface of my own pain.

She had hidden hers well. While I knew she had a terrible past, she didn’t show it in the short time we had been together. Just the few comments she had made.

Women were both formidable and unyielding, a fact I understood well from observing the bonded mates of the Iron Fang members. Yet, there were moments when I questioned whether this strength was as unwavering as it seemed.

A long, dramatic sigh escaped her lips. She swallowed, nodded, but did not release her hold on my shirt. I enjoyed that she held onto me like an anchor. I knew it was the bond that gave her the courage, and she was truly accepting that I wouldn’t go anywhere.

She parted her lips to speak, but buzzing broke our thoughts. I darted my head to the noise to find her bag lying on the floor.

---