Page 1 of Snatched Up By the Cartel

Chapter 1

Rylan

The bus jostled and jolted as it made its way towards the prison, the bright sunlight streaming through the windows. I peered out, my eyes squinting against the glare. An eerie silence enveloped the vehicle, broken only by the muted conversations of a few prisoners seated behind me. The seat beneath me was worn and uncomfortable, adding to my mounting discomfort. My hands were bound by handcuffs, an unnecessary precaution, I thought, as I had no intention of attempting an escape. I knew better than to try something foolish.

I took a deep breath, my hands trembling slightly, drawing the attention of one of the guards. His gaze was filled with contempt, his disdain for me and the other prisoners palpable. As we neared our destination, the imposing prison complex loomed into view, a stark reminder of my betrayal. My best friend, my brother, had turned his back on me, his self-preservation taking precedence over our bond. It was a bitter pill to swallow, a lesson in the harsh reality that I was alone.

Fear gripped me as I contemplated my future within those walls. The other prisoners, tall, muscular, and intimidating, were a stark contrast to my slight and timid frame. I knew I would stand out, and not in a positive light. Taking another steadying breath, I tried to steel myself for what lay ahead.

Before long, we arrived at the prison. I was roughly ushered off the bus by one of the guards, my shoulders sagging under the weight of my apprehension. I considered shooting him a hateful glance but thought better of it. There was no point in antagonizing those who held my fate in their hands. Instead, I joined the line of prisoners, moving forward with trepidation.

Then, out of nowhere, I felt a hand grab my ass. Instinctively, I tensed, but I knew better than to react. The man behind me, his body a canvas of tattoos and scars, was a formidable presence. I was acutely aware of my powerlessness in that moment.

As the line progressed, we were separated, and I found myself wondering what would come next.

I stood trembling as the guards finished stripping me of my clothes, my skinny frame left vulnerable and exposed.

I thought many things were going to happen here, but I didn't think they were going to remove my clothes. I knew that I would have to wear an orange jumpsuit, but removing my clothes in front of everybody? Leaving me completely exposed and feeling so bad about everything? That I didn't think was going to happen.

The cold, harsh fluorescent lights of the prison bathroom gleamed off the pale, scarred skin that I tried so hard to keep hidden.

I loathed it intensely. Wishing I had tanned before arriving here was a passing irritation, albeit minor. In contrast to the challenges I faced, it paled significantly. In essence, it was inconsequential.

My black hair, usually carefully styled, now hung in disarray around my face, partially shielding my brown eyes from the leering gazes of the men around me.

I knew why they were looking at me. It was because I was different. I was probably the closest to a woman they had seen in a long time.

This was it. I was once a free Omega and now was at the mercy of the inmates and guards of Blackrock Prison. And all because of him.

I didn't think I would ever hate him as much as I did now. My blood boiled just thinking about the betrayal. Once I was out of here — and I was sure I would — he would feel my wrath.

"Look at this pretty little thing." One of the guards, a burly man with a scar across his cheek, stepped forward, running his eyes over my body with a disgusting smirk. "Bet you ain't used to being without your clothes, are ya, boy?"

I wasn't, but I also wasn't thinking about that. I was thinking how much I hated him. Did I think that prison guards were good? No, but I also wasn't prepared to be humiliated like this.

I bit my lip, refusing to give him the satisfaction of a response. I knew better than to anger them; my trial had made that clear. The judge's words still rang in my ears: "Rylan Nightfang, you have been found guilty of the crime of treason against the pack. Your punishment is to serve a term of twenty years in Blackrock Prison." Twenty years. My heart sank at the thought of spending that much time in this hellish place.

That was why I promised myself I would get out of here one way or another. I was going to try to prove my innocence, but if it didn't work, I would try to do something else.

"Come on, pretty boy." Another guard, slightly less intimidating but no less cruel, grabbed my arm, his grip tight and painful. "Time to meet your new cellmate. Hopefully, he'll teach you some manners."

At least they gave me the orange jumpsuit, but it was barely enough. It didn't really make me feel covered. It was too big for me. It was probably made for the big, burly prisoners in the prison. Yet another reason why I was going to stick out here like a sore thumb.

I stumbled as the guard dragged me out of the bathroom, the rough concrete walls of the prison a stark contrast to the luxurious life I once knew.

I had everything. It was good. I had luxury and so much money available. I could only think that my brother betrayed me so he could have everything I had. It had to be that. I couldn't think of another reason why he betrayed me.

My mind raced as I tried to push down the panic rising within me. I thought of my family, my pack, and the life I had lost.

I couldn't stop thinking about how much I was going to suffer in this prison. It was notorious for being the worst in the entire state. Nobody wanted to make this place better. They all thought it was good enough the way it was.

All of this was happening because of Adrian. My former best friend, my brother, had set me up, framed me for a crime I didn't commit, and now I was paying the price.

I wanted to kill him with my bare hands. If he were right in front of me, I wouldn't be able to stop myself. My body was shaking just thinking about how much I wanted to do that.

The guard halted in front of a heavy metal door, the small window set into it offering a glimpse of a shadowy figure within. My heart hammered in my chest as I wondered what kind of inmate I would be sharing my space with.

I didn't want to share space with anyone, but it wasn't up to me. I just hoped he wasn't going to kill me. I knew that someone like him could probably sniff out weakness, and I had a lot of it.

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