23. Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Two

Locke

" W e'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 we are 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."

No bloodshed. A clean steal under the Duke's nose. It could work. But what about getting them there?

"We can travel on our own. We have our ways." Shhkuk seemed to read my face.

It looks like I had no choice.

For the next hour, we discussed the details. My skin crawled like fire ants burning at the skin's surface. It wasn't to shift, but to get back to Emm. I had promised to be by her side tonight and start opening myself up to her. It had to be done—no more secrets.

Plus, my knot was going to explode if I kept it out of her body much longer.

The mission would have to go on without me, and I couldn't stand that I wasn't able to be with my club to support them. I felt like a failure as a president. It was like my ruthless bastard of a father, who wouId send off his warriors to be slaughtered, while he stayed behind enemy lines and watched the bloodshed.

I had to think about the members here. They were weak—just as I was. I couldn't leave them powerless as well. Hawke would be the only one mated, truly able to heal from wounds quickly, until I was fully mated with Emm. I needed her to complete the bond with me and soon.

And mating with my mate was no hardship. I knew how important a mate was. I dreamed of it when I was just a pup. The stories my mother told me about how your true mate was your one and only.

And when that dream was crushed, I never thought I would have a second chance. I was going to fucking cherish Emm.

Maybe in a fucked-up way, because Mordecai ruined the shit out of my wolf and me.

But she is her own kind of crazy.

After recording the last few notes from the meeting, Switched gathered his notebook and gently tucked it away in his bag. As he departed, he acknowledged me with a quick nod, prompting me to offer a comforting pat on his back.

"This will be successful. Even though the mated numbers are small, my clan will help in the retrieval," Shhkuk said, gaining back my attention.

I hummed in agreement, rubbing the scruff on my chin.

"You are distracted, President. Is it because your mate is hiding in our forest?" I raised a brow and Shhkuk chuckled. "Sorry, your forest."

I let out a huff of irritation. "It is ours. I bought it for all who wanted peace. I'm just—"

"Territorial," Shhkuk interrupted. "I understand. She is a fine female, and Luna, for the new pack you will create once the bond is completed."

I rubbed my hands over the large knife at my side. "And how do you know so much about her?" My agitation grew with Shhkuk. I wasn't particularly fond of the fae. It didn't matter what race of fae they were. All could be smooth talkers, filled with riddles and lies.

It wouldn't be the first time I thought about slitting Shhkuk's throat. Especially, given that he sent Nadia away from her clan as a baby, because she was born mostly human all those years ago. Even if it was for the betterment of his clan, I would leave no member behind in mine.

"The foliage talks to the summer and spring fae when we ask. They speak of her beauty, curiousness and wonder of the world around her. I do not believe she has been around nature much in her life."

I shook my head. "No, I don't believe she has. She's adapted nicely, however."

Shhkuk's head bobbed up and down in a quick nod of understanding. "Now that we know her true intentions, and she does not seek to harm any of us, we have the three intruders who intended to get into her trailer. Only two are in your dungeon. One of my clan members just recently received their magic and was… overzealous."

I clenched my teeth, digging my claws into my skin, desperate to release my pent-up emotions. True to his nature, my wolf had remained mostly silent, as he usually does. He rarely opened his mouth, except to voice his dissatisfaction.

"They all hail from the southern region. Darker skin, a language I am not familiar with."

"Spanish. Humans have different languages spread throughout the Earth."

"I thought there were only two." Shhkuk tilted his head.

The fae hid in Russia for many years, concealing their powers to avoid detection from Duke Idris. They interacted with Russians on a need-be basis. They learned their language, but only enough to get by.

Not wanting to explain everything to the fae, I brushed it off and we silently walked back to the bar. Despite the fae's beautiful appearance, they possessed an evil streak and a torture technique that left me quite impressed. Their vines strangled the intruders just enough to subdue them and get the answers we all sought.

And I wanted to know who the fuck was after my mate.

Shhkuk and I found ourselves in the basement. There was no crowd this time. Everyone was preparing for their departure and the unmated had jobs to do. This was for me and my sick, twisted pleasure.

Thick, gnarled vines coiled tightly around two of the men, constricting their bodies like a vice. The lifeless tendrils clung to their flesh, their broken, thorny branches piercing through their clothes, causing crimson droplets to seep through. With every futile struggle, the thorns embedded deeper into their skin, a cruel reminder of their entrapment. The scene was filled with the faint rustling of the vines, the acrid scent of crushed foliage mingling with the metallic tang of blood, and the agonizing sensation of the thorns mercilessly piercing their flesh.

"Well, well, what do we have here?" I circled them both as they sat on the floor. I noticed that someone had used the vines to wrap around their mouths and keep them quiet. I tsked, continuing my fun little game.

I squatted before the first one. His hair was dark, streaked with hints of grey to show his age. His older eyes widened in fear when I pulled out my knife and quickly broke the hard branches from his face. "You gonna talk? Or are we going to make this difficult. I'm good either way." I said with a smile.

With each sputter, blood trickled down his cheek, leaving a trail of crimson against his tanned skin. "W-what is going on?" His thick Spanish accent was hard to understand. "The, the branches. They got me!"

"A lot more is going to happen if you don't start talking. Why were you going to the RV? Who sent you here? I firmly grasped my knife and used its sharp edge to lift his chin, forcing him to look up.

His breathing grew rapid and his throat bobbed. The smell of ammonia grew and I looked down into his lap. "I-I was hired by Emmanuel Juderías."

I raised a brow and glanced at Skkush. He shrugged his shoulders and smiled. "Humans are pathetic."

"What for?" I trailed my knife across his cheek, pushing it into one of the holes a thorn had left in its wake.

"No! Stop please!"

I licked my lips, pushing it in deeper, and groaned when the blade hit his teeth.

Fuck, why do the guilty's screams sound so good?

Shhkuk cleared his throat. "President, do you think it's necessary?"

I chuckled darkly and pulled the blade from his cheek. "Of course it is. He tried to get my mate. Wouldn't you do the same?"

Shhkuk swallowed and nodded, standing back.

"And, who is this Emmanuel Juderías," I drawled. "What does he want to do with Emm?"

Tears ran down the intruder's face. He leaned his head back, trying not to move the cheek where fresh blood wept down his face. "He wants his daughter— he needs her back in Mexico."

A viscous smile crossed my face. "Her father." I bit my lip. "This is certainly interesting. And what does the father want to do with her? You know, having some random male come in the middle of the night to... what? Capture her? Kill her?"

I emitted a deep, guttural growl, baring my sharp, gleaming fangs as I tightly clasped the male's neck. The sound of his desperate gasps and chokes filtered into the basement. His eyes widened in terror as he witnessed my body transforming into a wild, untamed creature.

The other man behind him could only whimper, keeping his eyes closed from the sight.

"Ah-ah!" He tried to speak, but my anger took over and I squeezed him harder.

Shhkuk stood beside me, nudging me and clearing his throat. "President, maybe I should finish. I have interesting news."

I snarled louder, my fangs distending and fur growing down my neck and arms. I wanted his blood on my hands, to feel the taste of his life force in my mouth.

They almost touched her.

"Your mate is showing signs of a heat."

I lunged forward, my teeth piercing through the prisoner's shoulder. I savored the metallic taste of his blood as my venom seeped into his skin. His agonized screams echoed, blending with the intense, foreign words he cried out. With a slow, deliberate retreat, I ran my tongue across my lips, relishing the lingering essence of his blood.

Shhkuk stood back. "I do not have herbs to cure an alpha's bite."

"Good." I licked the remaining blood from my lips. "You aren't supposed to. Now, what about my mate?"

"Do you not wish to give them a second chance?" Shhkuk tilted his head.

I snarled and stepped toward him. "Their choice was to not take the job. Once you enter my territory and threaten my mate—your life is over."

Shhkuk swallowed. "Your mate. Her body temperature is rising. It is still early, but the trees can sense her pheromones."

Kraven stood in the doorway, his arms folded behind his back. Most likely the one who brought the news.

"We can take care of the prisoners, Hawke is on his way to accompany us in extracting information." Shhkuk said as his eyes glowed yellow, and he leaned his head back. "As I have said before, it would be an honor to help the male, who has given my clan hope, again, for peace to live.

I eyed him warily. I knew little about this male, but it seemed he must have been a warrior in his past life, or he is as psychotic as me.

I stared down at our prisoners. They were petrified; I did not believe it would take long to break the human. Which would not quench my thirst of a good torture.

I was slightly disappointed I could not do it myself, but Emm needed me and she was the priority.

"Do not kill the second. Put him in a cell so I can play with him later. Extract information from this one." I nod to the male, withering in pain from my bite. "I want to know everything. Who this father is, and why they want her. If they don't know, have Switch put out a search," I yelled over his pathetic whimpers.

I snarled and ripped my shirt over my head. I was ready to shift. I needed this since I didn't have chance to finish my interrogation. It's my favorite part. To hear them scream, to get justice for what they have done.

I groaned and grabbed my cock through my jeans. Fucking hell!

"Have the unmated run-in shifts. Look out for any unfamiliar faces." I ordered Hawke. I threw my shirt at him and jogged past.

"Have fun wooing the bad-ass female," he sang.

"Does everyone have to know my business?" As I sprinted up the stairs, Hawke's laughter filled the air with joyous barks.

"When it comes to a female coming into her first heat, yes. Again, good luck with that. I sure wouldn't want to deal with that Luna," he mumbled.