Page 89 of Locke

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.”