Page 58 of Locke

“Fuck you!” she roared.

I chuckled darkly. I didn’t think I’d ever had anyone tell me that in all my years since I arrived on Earth. It was–refreshing.

I grabbed hold of her shirt, gathered it in my fists and ripped it from top to bottom. Before the shirt fell to the ground, she landed a punch right to my nose. I stumbled back feeling blood tinge the back of my throat, where she’d broken it.

I snorted loudly, letting out a haughty laugh and wiped away the single drip that fell from my left nostril. “I was going to offer you my shirt instead of that sweaty one.”

Emm stood there, her beautiful body marred with my marks and bruises, completely unashamed. I turned, grabbed my black shirt and handed it to her.

She ripped it from my hand and stalked out the door. My wolf snarled and bashed against me. My skin itching and the fur on the back of my neck sprouting.

Fucking hell—what a time to shift.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Locke

“We’ll be fine on our own,” Bear said confidently, his footsteps echoing as we entered the old church.

The abandoned church, with its weathered walls and creaking doors, served as the sacred space for our official meetings. As I stepped inside after a long absence, a musty scent engulfed the air. The sunlight filtered through stained glass windows, casting colorful patterns on the floor. The echoes of our inner circle’s voices resonated against the high ceilings, filling the space with a sense of familiarity and purpose. It was disheartening to see the place slowly crumble, but it matched the club so perfectly until I claimed Emm.

“I don’t care—I don’t like my members going on their own. I’ll accompany you.”

Bear, our most recent inductee to my inner circle, let his bear snarl at my words. I ignored it and stepped inside the old cleric room that held a rounded table. Sizzle, Hawke, Grim, Switch and Shhkuk, leader of the elf clan that now inhabited the woods, all waited for my arrival.

“I don’t think it’s wise to send you all alone to Duke Idris’ mansion. It’s been quiet, too quiet over at that house and with not enough mated couples to travel with you, you won’t have enough back-up. I don’t trust sending that many rogues without my help.” I sat down in my seat with a thud and Bear groaned.

We still had the private plane from Delilah’s ex-husband. It was one of the larger ones but it wasn’t like we could send the whole club. Besides, rogues don’t do well separated and I would only send those I feel were the strongest.

“My mate, as well as Hawke’s, have been on our asses to get these humans out of that mansion. They’ve been in there longer than we planned already. If you were still rabid, we would have already gone.” Bear pushed.

I snarled and pounded my fist on the table. “I am still rabid, Bear. And you will hold your tongue.” I pointed at him. “Just because you are part of this circle, now, does not give you the right to speak your mind to your president.”

I had my reasons. An alpha thinks of his pack, of the souls that live within it. Bear shifters think differently. They do not work as a unit, rather, they are individuals and come together in time of need. He will have to change his mentality if he is going to continue here.

With a heavy thud, Bear sank into his chair, his massive arms crossing and a deep, guttural grunt escaped his throat.

“Switch, I need the security details. Anything out of order. I mean anything; I want to know if a leaf has fallen the wrong way.”

Switch cleared his throat and dropped some papers on the table held by paper clips. We each grabbed the stacks and dispersed them amongst ourselves. “I haven’t seen the Duke. This could be because of a glamor he has put on himself, or he simply isn’t there. I have seen his followers are taking orders by ravens, with scrolls attached to their feet. They are no longer using electronic communications.

“Humans are not being escorted out of the facility, but they are being brought in and being put into cells. From the rudimentary camera feeds, they are being fed, watered and cared for. Better conditions than Nadia ever dealt with.” Switch glances at Bear, who has a stoic expression on his face.

Nadia had it the worst. No food for days, and she couldn’t sleep. At least the women were fed, but their unknown was almost just as bad.

“They’re collecting. They are getting ready for a sale.” Hawke said. “Question is, when and where is it? We can’t sit around waiting much longer. We also can’t take them all out at the same time. It looks like there are at least a hundred bodies in there.”

“Locke—may I suggest something?” Shhkuk slowly rose from his seat, the soft rustle of his light green linen outfit catching the attention of everyone in the room. His ears, sharp and alert, protruded from his head, while his pointed face commanded attention; he stood out amidst the small crowd.

“With spring and summer upon us, my clan will be at their strongest, even without a mate. Most of my people are not rejected; they are simply looking for a peaceful life. To repay you for your kindness and haven, we can ensure the safety of these humans and set them free in the least bloody way possible. Our abilities to manipulate the Earth’s life force can be of great help. We can remove the grass and soil, have brand new tunnels dug and put back together before any of the guards would know weare there. We can come from within the Earth and bring back the humans from under their noses.”

The table grew quiet as they awaited my answer.

My fear was not only my people, but Shhkuk’s people as well. They had become part of the Iron Fang a few months ago, before I had become rabid. They didn’t wear a vest, but they were part of my protection. I could not bear to lose anyone. Going into a mission so deadly, dealing with Duke Idris, as powerful as he is, as a Death Necromancing Fae without me, made my worry increase.

“You understand the risk here, don’t you, Shhkuk? I will not be there. Grim and Journey will be heading this mission. Hawke cannot attend, and leave his mate and pup. You will not have the eyes you need from above. Tajah and Beretta will accompany you, but even Tajah’s magic is limited against a necromancer.”

Shhkuk nodded solemnly. “We understand the risks. Kraven’s power of the soil has strengthened since his bond with Nadia’s mother was completed. We will do well sneaking out these women to avoid conflict. That is why I wanted to speak.”

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