Page 104 of Locke

Every hair on my body stood on end, as if reaching out to connect with the overwhelming love and gratitude I felt towards her. Goosebumps formed on my arms, a tangible testament to the depth of my emotions. It was a powerful reminder of the impact she had on my life, the indelible mark she left upon my very soul.

As my gaze locked onto her, all other distractions vanished. The worries and anxieties that often plagued me were momentarily silenced. In that instant, I saw her not just as the woman who took me in, but as a pillar of strength, a guardian angel who had selflessly dedicated herself to my well-being.

I couldn’t help but be overwhelmed by a flood of memories, each one etched vividly in my mind. I saw her wiping away my tears when I stumbled and fell as a child, her comforting words acting as a balm to my pain. She was there through the ups and downs of my teenage years, providing a safe haven when my heart felt broken and lost.

She had given me everything she had, pouring her love, time and energy into helping make me the person I had become. Her unwavering protection had shielded me from the harsh realities of the world, allowing me to grow and thrive in a safe and nurturing environment.

In that moment, I realized how truly blessed I was to have her in my life. She was not just a caretaker, but a mother figure who had selflessly stepped into the void left by my own parents. Her presence filled my heart with a profound sense of gratitude and admiration.

With her, I had found a sense of belonging; a home where I felt loved and cherished. She had become the embodiment of unconditional love, a beacon of hope in times of darkness. As I stood there, my heart paused, my fur standing on end, I realized I hadn’t protected her like I promised.

Abuela’s eyes rolled into the back of her head and Idris let go of her hair, as she promptly fell to the forest floor like she was nothing but a speck.

The. Bastard.

Without uttering a single cry of pain, I found myself consumed by an overwhelming sense of rage. The world around me transformed into a fiery crimson haze. In the depths of my mind,a faint tickle sent shivers down my spine, while a pair of piercing scarlet eyes locked onto mine. Slowly, two paws emerged from the darkness, accompanied by the ominous descent of gleaming ivory fangs.

My wolf.

I launched forward, not caring for the consequences. Abuela’s heart was no longer beating, her body turning colder by the second. Idris’ smile was still on my grandmother, and I watched as he slowly came to face me.

His hand raised, most likely to press his power into me, and a snap echoed inside my head. Dozens of voices reverberated inside. It was overpowering with the echoes, but not enough to deter me from what I was about to do.

The surrounding air crackled with a powerful energy, like blue lightning running through my fur. I could see the electrical charge jumping from me and spreading the area in my peripheral.

But I wasn’t stopping.

Idris’ hand swirled a grey light and pushed it out of his hand. Without any movement of his arm, the light propelled toward me, landing me straight into the chest. I waited for the impact, but my body absorbed the shock.

“You mother-fucking bastard!” I roared and slung my claws right across his chest.

Idris’ tall, muscular form stumbled backward, his hair falling messily across his face. His dark, slicked-back locks were now ruffled and wild, pushed out of place by the force of the attack. His jaw clenched as he bared his sharp, white teeth in a ferocious snarl. Drops of blood trickled down from the deep claw marks on his chest, staining his pristine white shirt. The veins in his arms bulged as he struggled to stay upright, still reeling from the impact. His eyes flashed with anger and pain as he prepared to retaliate.

I didn’t wait for him to be ready. I didn’t even take a second look at Abuela’s body on the ground. I no longer could hear her heartbeat, or her breathing. I sucked in every bit of emotion I could. That had to wait, I couldn’t fall apart now.

This prick was going to pay.

“Behind you!”I heard Beretta’s voice echo in my head.

A warlock that had been knocked off their feet by Beretta slung a bolt of electricity toward me. I dodged it easily, but it gave Idris ample opportunity to get up.

He stared at me and then to Tajah, who was no longer chanting. She closed the book with a loud thud and smiled. “Too late, it’s done, but you already knew that, didn’t you?”

Idris’ face, which was already contorted to anger, turned to a bitter understanding.

The battle would shift.

The trees rustled and shook as a massive grizzly bear emerged from the cover of the forest. Its thick, brown fur glistened in the sunlight, and its sharp claws extended as it swiped at the men with ease. Behind it, a smaller but equally vicious bear followed suit, its teeth bared and eyes full of fury. Despite its size, it took down men with incredible strength and agility, tearing at their throats with its powerful jaws.

“We are kick-ass, right?”I heard Nadia inside my mind.

The link— it was complete. We could hear each other, talk to each other in our animal forms.

“Pay attention; reinforcements are coming,” Bear grumbled.“Hawke to the west, and the fae are approaching.”

The mysterious figures emerged from the shadows, their silhouettes illuminated by the blazing fire nearby. Piercing gazes swept across the battlefield taking in the bloodied sight. Arrows, swords and vines? Vines came from the trees and snatched up men and wrapped them tightly, choking them.

I darted my attention back to Idris, who was backing away into the woods. The coward wasn’t even going to help his men. I steadied myself and bolted toward him as he ducked into the darkness of the forest.

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