Anira Part 2

“We all feared him, Ann. Do you really think that respect alone is enough to lead? Auror is the only male who can rip another’s head off, taking the spine along with it. His strength is colossal, and it’s no surprise—he was born to be our leader.” Arow sighs deeply. “I still haven’t forgotten that soon I’ll be punished by taking care of the border sector.”
“Why?”
“Because I transformed for you.”
“You won’t be, I’ll take care of it.”
“Wow! Auror has someone even more powerful than him. Your words resonated with authority over me, Ann. I knew our bond had formed and that all his authority would be mine too, but I didn’t imagine a man this size would feel such a thing when I spoke.”
“I don’t know if I’m ready to have that kind of power over people,” I point out as we get close to the clinic.
“Then just be yourself; leave all the hard work to him.”
“Hmm, so I’m the good person, and he’s the bad leader?”
“Something like that.”
“I can handle that.” I shrug.
I park at the clinic and see two trucks already parked—definitely the new veterinarians’. We get out and head inside, and to my surprise, as soon as I lay eyes on the person in front of me, I almost fall backward.
“Ann!”

***

I can’t believe my eyes. Emmyllia Bouchard, my best friend, is right in front of me with the biggest smile in the world.
“Ann!” She throws herself into my arms, hugging me, and the urge to cry is so intense that I can’t hold it back.
“Oh my God, Emmy! Why didn’t you tell me? I just called you.”
“I saw, but I was dying to keep the surprise.” I smile uncontrollably. “Ann, tell me all the men in this town are this hot, please!”
“Yes, they are.” I grin at her excitement. “Emmy, this is Arow Black, my assistant.”
I introduce them and see both of them seem to freeze together. Arow has no reaction, and I look at the girls who seem startled by what they’re seeing.
“Nice to meet you, I’m Emmyllia, but you can call me Emmy.” She extends her arm, and Arow appears to move in slow motion, not blinking.
“Arow,” Jacob calls, clearing his throat. It seems to snap Arow back to normal, and he shakes Emmy’s hand, who seems to get a jolt from the touch.
I turn my gaze to Alenna and Michelly, who look as stunned as I am.
“I’m Dr. Beilly Dawson,” the other veterinarian introduces herself.
“Welcome,” I say. “I believe you’ve met Jacob and Kynai; they will be your guides and assistants.”
“Guides? Why?” Beilly questions.
“Because the farms are far apart, and we prioritize everyone’s safety,” Jacob answers.
“Alright, I won’t question it.” She smiles.
The day passes with me directing them through the work, and Jacob and Kynai head out to the circuits, splitting the appointments between Emmy and Beilly.
“Are you going to tell me what that was, or should I guess?” I probe as we’re leaving. Alenna and Michelly look just as surprised as I am.
“It was nothing; I just thought I had seen her before.”
“Impossible, Arow. Like me, Emmy hasn’t been around these parts.”
“It was just an impression.” He tries to cover it up. “How about we go? It’s past your working hours.”
“I’d like to wait for them, but if I’m late, Auror will come here,” I say, getting up but then sitting back down, feeling unwell.
“Ann, are you okay?” Alenna and Arow ask simultaneously.
“Here, drink this.” Michelly hands me a glass of water.
“Now that I think about it, oh my God! Emmy’s here; she has no idea that férnus exist. She won’t be able to come to my house. I won’t be able to lie to her.” My thoughts spin wildly, trying to find a way to protect the férnus and not lie to my best friend.
“I think you need to talk to Auror,” Arow suggests.
“Yes, I need to go.”
We leave, and I let the girls close the clinic. I head back with my mind racing about the possibilities of what could happen if Emmy finds out everything. Both Arow and I remain silent until I park in front of the house.
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” he says as we get out.
“Yes.”
Soon Arow disappears into the woods, heading back to the city.
“I can feel your anxiety from here, my companion,” Auror’s voice echoes through the house as I walk through the door.
“It’s better to show than to tell,” I say, opening the door and connecting our minds.
“Is this a problem for you, Ann?”
“I can’t expose all of you, Auror. Emmy is my best friend, and you’re my family.”
“Can’t we include her in this equation? As your best friend, she’s also part of your family.”
“Would you reveal your entire clan just so I wouldn’t lose my only friend?”
“What wouldn’t I do for you, my Ann? Of course, we’d need to be cautious, but if it were a danger, we’d receive information from the elder. Luna would never allow new staff to be hired if it posed a threat to us.”
“Knowing that makes me feel better. After all, what we need to handle is just Emmy. I wouldn’t want to keep her out of my life, but I can’t bring her here, and it would be much stranger to deny both sharing the house with her and not revealing why.”
“Take your time. Regarding your question, if you’re right, that would indeed be a big problem.”
“Because I’m also human, Auror, well, almost.” I see him take a deep breath.
“Because this mix could cause discord within the clan. Humans have always been despised by us, and no, you’re not human; all the traits you carry are of a true angelic, and we don’t need to prove anything to anyone. Everyone could see you were my destined one as soon as their eyes fell on you.”
“Would it be against us if that happened?”
“Ann…”
“Would it be, Auror?” I press, firm.
“If that were your decision, we’d face whoever it was, but let’s not jump to conclusions. If Arow and Emmy are indeed destined, the Moon Goddess will bind them, and we won’t be able to do anything about it, even if I despise humans.”
“I would bless Emmy and Arow, but let’s handle it as what he said, just someone he thought he recognized.”
The week passed with all of Emmy's questions about why I couldn’t take her to my house, and what was this story she heard about me being married. Auror had already told me he would support me no matter what my decision was.
With no more ways to avoid it and with a very upset Emmy, I decided to reveal everything to her. Now we’re sitting in my truck in front of the house where I live, and Emmy looks very impressed.
“Wow! I didn’t imagine you’d snag a rich old guy.” She smiles. “Is he much older than you?”
“Let’s just say that.” I reply.
“Why all the mystery, Ann? If you’ve become some sort of trophy wife, it’s none of my business, but I need to look him in the eye and tell him that you’re not alone in this world—you have me.” I smile and pull her into a hug.
“I love you, Emmyllia Bouchard.”
“I love you too, Anira Montecião.”
“Remember when we were in college and dreamed of discovering a new species and naming it something really unusual?” I begin to reveal.
“Yes, I still think we’ll find something like that.”
“Emmy, I discovered a new species.” I say, and her eyes widen significantly.
“You’re serious?”
“Yes.”
“And what does that have to do with your old-timer?” She stops speaking and starts blinking.
Emmy has always been very intelligent, and her gears are definitely starting to turn.
“Like Jacob and Bella?” She mentions Twilight, and I burst out laughing.
“Sort of, but without the human form.”
“Wait??? Holy crap, was there hallucinogens in my hot chocolate? I knew something was off about that flavor. That grumpy old man definitely wouldn’t offer me anything decent...” She starts to speak loudly, her thoughts spilling out, so I decide to stop her.