32. Chapter Thirty-One

Chapter Thirty-One

Locke

I observed Emm meticulously arranging and rearranging the bed, expertly placing the freshly laundered blankets and plump pillows that had just been delivered. I could see her face light up with delight as she pressed her cheek against the velvety softness of the linens. The sound of the fabric rustling filled the room as she skillfully blended the old blankets with the new ones.

She didn't understand what she was doing. Her body went on autopilot, and I hung back and watched her. It was like every other female brought to the Iron Fang. Their nesting instincts took over and my mate's were taking over quickly.

My bite might have something to do with it, the fact that I needed her to step up and take a role in leadership. I was fine with that because I knew she could do it. She already had a handle on me and she very well knew it.

So, I was savoring this moment. I never thought I would have a mate—not after what the first one did to me. I thought I was over and done with. Grim gave me small hope but I thought my own sins were too much to be redeemed. Look at me now, a lucky bastard indeed.

Here I was, watching my mate make our nest, so the next time we slept, it would be ready. Ready for her to take my knot over and over.

I adjusted myself as I thought about sinking back into her tight cunt. I swear she was sculpted by the gods just for me.

We showered in the massive bathroom made for us. I went all out on the third-floor blueprints of this packhouse. If it was going to be for me or some other alpha, in case I didn't make it, there was to be enough room for a few pups and a guest room. Unless she wanted to fill the whole floor with our miniature selves.

That might not be a good idea.

When Emm finished, she put her hands on her hips, turned to me and smiled. It was a rare smile, one I'd only seen from her when she was truly happy, not the forced, awkward social smile I'd seen so many times before at the club..

I held my hand out to her and she took it gladly. I led her out of our floor, and down the stairs to the second. Now, that our heat and rut had calmed, to just fucking every couple hours instead of minutes, I felt we could walk away from our nest for a time. I was still rock hard and couldn't keep my hands off of her. I didn't think that would ever go away, and now I knew how the other men felt when I'd seen them always looking, touching, and pulling their mates into a darkened hallway in the club.

"This is where the unmated and recently turned rogue will stay," I explained, as I flicked the switch; filling the room with a soft, yellow glow. The light revealed a dimly lit corridor, lined with empty rooms. I guided her through, the floor creaking beneath our feet. The sight of the shells of rooms awaiting completion was eerie - walls stripped bare, exposed wiring hanging from the ceiling like mechanical vines. The air carried a musty scent, a mix of dust and wood. As we walked, a faint echo of our footsteps reverberated, adding to the sense of emptiness. These rooms, although empty, would hold the promise of shelter for those who hadn't succumbed entirely to despair.

"Recently rogue? You mean recently rejected from their mates?" There was sadness in her voice, and she squeezed my arm.

"Yes, if they have been rejected recently, Journey believes we can still bring them into the pack and have them stay integrated with healthy wolves. It will help them not forget who they are." I said sadly, squeezing her arm in return. "Being connected to a pack alpha will slow their decline, and they won't go rabid as fast as the rest of us who had no pack."

"And what of the ones too far gone?" Emm gazed down the empty hallway once more and we walked toward the balcony following the railing to the grand staircase.

I sighed. "They will have to remain at the bar, in the apartments there. You and I will need to stay there with them during the week, and then my second, also known as my beta—Grim- will switch with us over the weekends."

"But why keep them apart? Wouldn't the most restless rogues want to stay in the forest? Would they be more comfortable?"

I wrapped my hand around Emm's waist and led her down the grand staircase, onto the main floor. The stones were laid by contracted bear shifters that usually work on the packhouse. I'd sent them away until I had fully claimed my mate. I couldn't have them around when Emm and I were here, I'd go too fucking crazy.

"They are dangerous, too far gone. They don't listen well and can be hard to handle. Those rogues could put others in danger if they decide to defy me. There are cabins surrounding this packhouse now that hold the mated, such as Hawke and Delilah, and their pup. At the club house there are more security cameras and there are lockdown capabilities if needed. I just have to keep everyone safe."

Emm nodded. "And, they might go rabid in the packhouse?"

I sighed and gritted my teeth. "Bones and Journey will do frequent check-ups here at the packhouse. Bones will check the healthy ones' physical body, while Journey will check their souls and see if they are fading. If they have to, they will move to the bar apartments where they can be monitored more closely."

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 never work 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 let anyone 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."

My mate frowned and took steps toward me.

"Mordecai entered a treaty with the Emerald Pack. It was a neighboring territory that desperately needed protection. There were ogres that coveted the shiny stones that the Emerald Pack mined and used to export for the king. This pack's territory was located in the mountains, they had few exports, so this was their only means of making money."

Emm sat on the log beside me and wrapped her hand around my leg.

"Mordecai ordered me to lead our warriors to the attack against the ogres when they entered the Emerald Pack. When it was time to lead the attack, none of the warriors would listen to me. They stayed in position and watched the pack burn. I was so enraged, I went to fight on my own, but it was all in vain. The ogres were large. I did my best to help get the women and children out of there." I balled my hand into fists.

"You couldn't do anything." Emm said.

"I failed," I snapped. "I didn't save them. The ogres had everyone surrounded. I escaped, barely, just because they were distracted with loading up the gems into large wagons—with the king's seal."

My mate's mouth dropped.

I scoffed. "When I returned, the pack was filled with royal soldiers. A chest of gold was being unloaded from one of the wagons."

Emm snarled and stood from the log. "The king and your father, they—"

"Set them up to die." I finished. "Made it look like the ogres stole the gems so the Royal Council wouldn't suspect the king abusing his own kind."

When I explained to Emm that the Royal Council was just a round table, filled with the high royals of different species of the Elysian realm, she didn't like it. She said nothing good ever came of leaders coming together to discuss the ‘betterment of the people or species.' Someone always got hurt and it was always the lesser people-never the leaders.

And she was right.

"I couldn't say anything—not then, anyway. My mother was still alive and—" I swallowed, "and my mate at the time was living within the pack. Mordecai would have killed them both."

Emm let out a low, jealous growl and I smirked, pulling her closer. "Emm—I never touched her. You are the first female to ride this cock, Princess."

The mood lightened considerably when her eyes widened. "Excuse me?"

I nodded and grabbed her ass. "Yeah, I was, uh, not sure about her. My mother said I would be head over heels for her, but I never got that pull she was talking about. I guess my wolf realized she was betraying me and didn't understand how to convey it to me. My wolf is, uh—" I scratched the back of my head, "very, traumatized."

Emm leaned in and kissed me on the cheek. A sweet gesture that seemed very out of character for my mate. "Tell Fenrir I will never hurt him," she whispered. "Ever."

I stared down into her big eyes, those long lashes kissing my chin. "He heard you." I swallowed. "We both did."

I leaned in closer to my mate. Our eyes locked, filled with desire. The world around us seemed to fade away as our lips finally met. The touch was gentle, yet electric, sending a shock wave through my body. We explored each other's mouths, our tongues dancing in a passionate rhythm. Every movement was deliberate, every caress a declaration of our love. Time seemed to stand still as we savored the taste and warmth of each other's lips, losing ourselves in the intoxicating sensation of the moment. It was a kiss that spoke volumes without the need for words.

This wasn't lust, it was so damn—fuck, it was love. It was everything my mother ever spoke about.

She cupped my cheek and pecked it several times. "Are you okay, handsome?"

I nodded, feeling my throat tighten. I didn't know if I could continue.

As if reading my thoughts, "We can stop. You don't have to talk anymore." She caressed my face. "You've done so well talking to me."

And fuck, if I didn't just get so bitterly hard. I let out a hoarse grunt and shook my head. "Let me finish."

My mate frowned but understood and continued to massage my leg.

"You see, I wanted it to be more traditional. I wanted to woo her—not just fuck and bite. It was an old, old tradition. I'd visit her, bring her gifts and visit her family. It was supposed to make the bond stronger, the mating more intense."

Emm growled, and she rubbed her chest, looking embarrassed.

"What you are feeling is normal. You are going to be jealous and possessive. And trust me, I'm a possessive bastard." I chuckled and nuzzled into her neck. "But please know this baby, I could not imagine having anything more intense than what we have. Our bond is—gods, it's stronger than I ever could have imagined."

"Yeah, you brought me a hand. I'd say that is a deep level of commitment."

"Just wait, I'm going to bring every guy's dick who you have ever looked, at once I get in that pretty little mind of yours."

"Ahh, a bouquet of dicks. That sounds awesome." She grinned wildly.

I rolled my tongue over my lips and bit at her neck. "Just so fucking perfect."

"Continue your story, Alpha. I want to know it all." She laid her head on my shoulder while I drew circles on her leg.

"Yeah, well, I guess she didn't like me teasing her. She got fed up, maybe she thought I died, or whatever, and she didn't wait around to find out. There was a baron that helped deliver the chest of gold. Let's just say he was immediately interested, and she took him to the cabin I had built for the both of us."

Emm's mouth dropped, and a growl resonated within her. "Please tell me she is alive, so I can kill her."

I brushed a lock of my mate's hair behind her ear. "My sweet mate, you don't want to hear that story."

"I do," she whispered. "Please," her breath tickled my ear.

"Later," I brushed my lips with hers. "Besides, you want to know how all this came to be, right?"

Emm huffed in irritation. I loved her jealousy, wanting to know if my ex-mate was still alive. Keeping the information from her was going to be fun. I had plans for that later, too.

"Fine," she rolled her eyes. "Keep going."

"When I found out about my mate's betrayal, my body underwent a transformation that hasn't been seen in a thousand years. My body broke and molded into the Lycan that you saw. For the first time I had ever seen, Mordecai was scared out of his mind. I couldn't stop it, it was painful. I thought I was dying." I held my mate tighter, remembering how fucking frightened I was.

"When I stood up on two legs, Mordecai had my mother and gripped her around the neck. He told me to change back into my wolf form, but I didn't know how," I whispered. "I backed away and he—"

"Don't—" Emm straddled me and held me. "Don't say anything else."

I buried my face into her shoulder and let out a long, deep breath. "He took her from me."

For a long time, we sat there as I held my mate. She let me bury my nose in her neck, nuzzling the mark on her shoulder.

I wanted to fucking cry—and I hadn't cried since I lost my sister. I couldn't. I was beaten when I even looked like I was going to shed one ounce of emotion. When my mother's neck broke and she stared up at me from the dirt, the tears would not come.

My chest tightened, constricting my breath as I desperately fought back the overwhelming surge of emotions. The weight of grief bore down on me, threatening to crush my soul. I could feel the burning ache behind my eyes, a telltale sign that tears were desperately clawing their way to the surface. But I had learned, through years of beatings, to bury those tears deep within me, to lock them away behind an impenetrable fortress.

The rawness of the memories flooded my mind, intensifying the ache within my heart. I saw my sister's face, her laughter and warmth that had once filled our lives, now haunting my every waking moment. The guilt gnawed at me, echoing through the corridors of my mind, reminding me of the time I had failed to protect her.

And then, the image of my mother, lifeless and broken, flashed before my eyes. The shock of that moment, the sheer brutality of her untimely demise, threatened to shatter the heavy walls I had built around my emotions.

Sitting here with Emm, though, I wanted to let go, to surrender to the torrent of tears that threatened to escape me. I craved the release, but the fear of punishment, maybe not physical, just that of my mate seeing me as weak, was too strong.

"She—she smiled, though, when he held her by the neck." I let out a heavy breath into my mate's hair. "She smiled and whispered she loved me," my voice trembled.

"Koen," my mate whispered in my ear. "Let it out. I'm here for you, my sweet Koen."

I gritted my teeth and let out a loud sob. My fingers pushed into her skin enough to bruise her. I couldn't stop, could not let go of her for fear she would fade away.

I let out a wail. "That fucking bastard!"