Page 88 of Locke

Emm shook her head. “I can’t believe so many women rejected all of those men. Did any of them deserve it?”

I stopped at the double doors at the base of the stairs, and held both of her hands. “I don’t know all their stories. I don’t go digging into people’s pasts, but I ask them questions so I can figure out if they are good enough to be a part of this pack. There are rogues that deserve to be rogues.”

“Like Duke Idris and his followers?” Emm’s throat let out a growl.

I chuckled and rubbed her jaw with my thumb. “Exactly. They want the power rather than living peacefully. Money, greed, the ability to control monetary things that shouldn’t matter. The gods put our souls here, made the lands for us to prosper and live in peace, and gave us abilities to make our lives easier.”

“And some shifters took advantage,” Emm continued.

“Not just shifters—but fae, and other magical beings as well.” I squeezed her hand and took her outside. I wanted her to see what a real pack was to look like.

I had never grown up in one myself, but I have had visions. I read plenty of utopian pack fiction, although that would neverwork for men and women like us. We have seen too much darkness to fully trust anyone, but we were going to get as close as we could get.

As we stepped outside, my mates’ eyes widened in awe. They took in the sight of the cabins, still in the process of being built; their frames standing tall against the backdrop of the fading daylight. The unlit bonfire in the center caught her attention, its wood stacked neatly, ready to ignite. I watched as she saw the paths taking shape, a blend of gravel and cement, under her feet. The air carried the scent of freshly cut wood and the faint hint of wet cement. It was a reminder of the ongoing construction.

“H-how are you guys building all of this?” My mate half laughed as we walked by.

“Bears.” I shrugged my shoulders. “Bear’s former sleuth works in construction. I’m paying them to do everything.”

Emm blinked and saw several cabins with lights inside; trucks, cars, even motorcycles sat outside the open garages.

“So, you are making your own commune, maybe even a cult.”

“A cult?” I raised a brow.

Emm laughed. “A bunch of like-minded people getting together, living, thriving, and sharing responsibilities together. Maybe even worshiping someone, or something?”

I tilted my head to the side and continued to walk with her until I pulled her off the maintained path, and took her down one not yet completed. “No, we are a pack. We can take care of ourselves, individually, but if someone needs help, I am here. You are here. We protect them.”

“It’s a cult,” she muttered and continued to follow me. “Because of the way some of them talk about you, it's like they worship you.”

I shrugged my shoulders. “I wouldn’t tell them not to worship me. I’m pretty kick ass.”

Emm threw her head back, her laughter echoing through the tranquil forest, and she playfully called me a cocky bastard as I guided her further into the dense wilderness. As we meandered, a comfortable silence enveloped us, interrupted only by the rustle of leaves beneath our feet. I noticed her wide-eyed gaze, studying the vibrant foliage surrounding us. The lush greens and exotic flowers, unseen anywhere else on Earth, captivated her attention. Despite her awe, she remained silent, lost in the uniqueness of Elysian beauty.

I wondered how far back she’s seen into my mind. How much she knew about the other realm where I came from. Does she want to go there? Does she hate where I come from? All these questions swirled in my head as we ventured further to our destination, until she finally squeezed my hand and made me stop.

“How—how did you get here, exactly?” Her voice was soft.

I let go of her hand and left her leaning on a tree, and playing with a flower that flickered back and forth in the gentle breeze.

“How much have you seen, Princess?” I squatted, then sat down on a log across from her, resting my elbows on my thighs. The less I had to explain to her, the better.

My mate licked her lips and pressed her hands to her face. “I’ve seen a lot,” she bobbed her head. “When you were a boy; your sister and mother. How you gained your title,” she whispered the last part, and I balled my hand up into fists. “After I bit you, I saw you destroy your father, Mordecai. You destroyed everything—the whole pack. I don’t know why you did it though and don’t know how you ended up here.”

I let out a huff and ran my hands through my hair.

“Well, you were right; I destroyed everything. Every damn thing that was left of Blood Rose.” I licked my lips. “Except, all the blood money from Mordecai. I took all that. I wouldn't letanyone else have it.” I sniffed and picked up a rock, tossing it in my hand.

“Blood money?” She stepped forward, unafraid.

I could feel my anger building just remembering the betrayal and deceit that had consumed my old pack. The memory of Mordecai’s treachery, the schemes he concocted behind my back, all to further his own power and control. My grip tightened on the rock in my hand as I felt the rage bubbling inside me.

“Blood money,” I repeated, the words tasting bitter on my tongue. “Mordecai lined his pockets with the suffering of others, with deals made in shadows and alliances forged in lies.”

Emm watched me intently, her eyes never wavering from mine. I could see the questions forming in her mind, the curiosity about my past and the darkness that lurked within it.

“I had to destroy it all,” I continued, my voice low and with a raw edge. “The corruption ran too deep, the rot too pervasive. Blood Rose was tainted beyond redemption. As much as I warned them behind my father’s back, they didn’t listen. They wanted power as much as he did.”

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