Page 26 of Snatched Up By the Cartel

I thought I could stay away, that the pain of Rylan's betrayal would be enough to keep me from returning to him. But as the days turned into a week, my heart ached with his absence, and the weight of my own mistakes bore down on me. How could I have thought that staying away from him was okay? I couldn't even recognize myself.

I realized that despite it all, I still loved him, that our bond was stronger than my anger and hurt. After all, we were meant to be together. That was the reason why we were having those dreams.

I found myself drawn back to Sebastian's apartment, my eyes searching for Rylan, my heart yearning to be near him, even if he didn't know it. I kept my distance, my presence a shadow in the background, but I couldn't stay away.

He couldn't know. After all, what would I say if he knew? I had no idea. This entire time, I was battling against myself, trying to figure out what I would say when we met again.

I worried about Rylan, about our unborn child. What if he went into labor without me? What if he needed my help, my protection? Those things couldn't happen without me around.

The thought of him facing those dangers alone tore at my heart, and I knew I had to make things right, for him, for our baby. But, how? I didn't know.

The words stuck in my throat, my pride and hurt warring with my love for him. Those things had always been weaknesses of mine. I had no idea if I could get rid of them now.

I wanted to apologize, to tell him that I still loved him, that I wanted us to be a family, but the words eluded me, trapped behind the wall of my own stubbornness.

I hated myself so much for feeling that way, but at the same time, I was powerless to stop it.

Tonight, as I stood in the shadows of Sebastian's apartment, my eyes fixed on Rylan's swollen belly, I knew I had to act, to put aside my own hurt and do what was best for them.

No matter what, this time, it was going to be different. I was going to figure out something.

However, there was something that required my attention more than anything else, and it was the appearance of someone I thought I would never see again. After so much time, he showed up again. Vance.

Vance's sudden appearance, his menacing presence filling the small apartment, jolted me into action. I saw the fear in Rylan's eyes, heard the desperation in his voice as he insisted he didn't know where I was. It all happened so quickly. I didn't even have time to react before they were already face-to-face.

Vance's words made my blood boil. "You're lying, omega," he snarled, his eyes narrowing. "Mates always know where the other is. Where is he or I'll take you away, and your pup will never know his father."

I snarled. That motherfucker was going to get what was coming to him. I was going to make sure of it. He was going to feel what it was like to be hunted by me.

Rylan's eyes widened, his breath catching in his throat as he processed the threat. Before he could respond, Sebastian stepped forward, his eyes flashing with anger. "Get out of here," he said, his voice steady. "You're not welcome here."

I was surprised by Sebastian's reaction. I thought he would never stand up against a bully. But, there he was. He was doing more than that. He was protecting my beloved.

Vance smirked, his eyes narrowing dangerously. "Or what, asshole? You'll throw me out? You're no match for me."

I knew he wasn't, which was why I had to move quickly. I had to go there before it was too late, and I was already moving. I was dashing forward.

With a swift movement, Vance punched Sebastian in the stomach, sending him crumpling to the ground, unconscious. I snarled again. He was going to pay so much for what he was doing.

Rylan cried out, his eyes widening in fear as he realized the true danger they were in. But he didn't need to worry. I was already getting there. I was climbing the outside of the apartment building as fast as I could.

"Now," Vance said, his eyes narrowing on Rylan. "Where is he?"

I saw the fear in Rylan's eyes, the desperation as he searched for an answer that wouldn't result in more violence. I was moving as fast as I could, but it still felt like it wasn't fast enough.

Only a few more seconds and… Finally. Here I was.

"He's right here," I growled, my voice deep and dangerous. I wanted to punch Vance's face until he was begging for forgiveness, which I wasn't going to give him. "And you'll never touch him again, Vance. Not while I'm breathing."

Vance's eyes widened in surprise, his gaze flicking between Rylan and me. He came here looking for me, but he didn't think I was around. We had always been enemies, we had always hated each other, so this was a long time coming.

"Solstice," he snarled. His fur was already beginning to show. He was already transforming and getting himself ready for the fight we were going to start. "I should've known you were around. You never cease to surprise me in a bad way."

I shifted, my body transforming into my wolf form, my fur bristling with aggression. I felt like I was finally letting it all out. This entire time, I didn't realize how much I was itching for a fight.

"You should've stayed in prison," I snarled, my eyes fixed on Vance. And after saying that, I couldn't help but wonder how he got out of there. I thought he was going to stay a lot longer. I supposed we all had our ways. "But now, you'll pay for what you did to Rylan, to us."

It wasn't just about the now, after all. It was about the abuse against Rylan when we were still in prison. For all that, he was going to pay.

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