Page 60 of Locke

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 EmmanuelJuderías.”

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 EmmanuelJuderías,” 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 hisdesperate 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.”