Page 27 of Snatched Up By the Cartel

Vance shifted as well, his body transforming into a massive black wolf, his eyes glowing with malicious intent. "Oh, I'll pay, all right," he growled. "With your blood."

He also thought this was a long time coming. He had always wanted to fight with me without anyone getting in the way or anything stopping us. Finally, we were going to make that real.

With a fierce growl, he lunged at me, his teeth bared, his claws extended. I dodged, my body agile, and countered with a swift strike to his flank, my claws slicing through his fur.

He howled in pain, spinning and lunging at me again. Our bodies collided, a blur of fur and muscle as we rolled across the floor, our teeth snapping, our claws slicing. The apartment shook with the force of our battle, the air thick with the scent of blood and fur.

Rylan stayed away, of course. He also dragged Sebastian away from the fight. He understood exactly what I was thinking. He knew I just wanted to fight Vance in an environment where I didn't have to worry about anything.

Vance and I circled each other, our eyes locked, our breath coming in short, sharp pants. He lunged again, his jaws snapping at my throat, but I was faster, dodging and countering with a strike to his muzzle, my claws raking across his face.

He howled in pain, his eyes flashing with anger. And as for me, I felt triumph surging in me. I was close to finishing him off.

"You'll pay for that, Solstice," he threatened. "You and your omega will suffer."

I bared my teeth, a low growl rumbling in my chest. He could make out the threats he wanted, but it wasn't going to change anything. If anything, it only showed he knew he was losing.

"Never," I declared. "You'll never touch what's mine."

With a fierce growl, I lunged, my jaws closing around his throat, my claws digging into his fur. I felt his body go limp beneath me, his eyes widening in surprise as he realized his defeat.

Finally. At long last. The moment I had always wanted to see was unraveling right before me, and I was the catalyst behind it.

"Mateo," Rylan's voice cut through the apartment. "Stop, please. Don't kill him."

I hesitated, my jaws still clamped around Vance's throat, my eyes locking with Rylan's. I wanted to do it. I couldn't understand why Rylan was begging for his life. It didn't make sense. Vance threatened to kill him and our little one. He didn't deserve to continue living.

And I saw the fear in Rylan's eyes, the desperation, and I knew I had to let Vance go. It wasn't what I wanted, but for my omega, I would do anything, including that.

With a growl of frustration, I released him, my body shifting back to human form, my eyes never leaving Vance. I couldn't take any chances. He could try anything. He was a slimy bastard.

Vance staggered to his feet, his hand reaching for his throat, his eyes narrowing. What happened here, he would never forget it. That was my real victory.

"This isn't over, Solstice," he threatened. "You and your omega will pay."

With that, he turned and stalked out of the apartment, his men following close behind. They were here, watching everything. They didn't get in the way because they knew they would be mutilated by me.

I stood there, my body tense, my eyes fixed on the door, my heart pounding with the knowledge that Vance would be back, that our troubles were far from over. And yet, I knew that the next time it happened, I would win again. I knew that for certain because I had my omega.

I turned to Rylan, my eyes softening as I took in the sight of him, his swollen belly, the fear still lingering in his eyes. Despite his decision to keep Vance alive, I didn't hate him. I couldn't anymore. "Are you okay?" I asked softly. "Did he hurt you?"

He shook his head, his eyes filling with tears. He looked so afraid and vulnerable. He needed me now more than ever before.

"I'm fine," he whispered, his hand coming up to wipe away the tears that escaped. "But Sebastian—"

I nodded, my eyes flicking to the unconscious form of our friend. He wasn't even thinking about Vance. He was mostly thinking about the person who had been helping us so much recently. Rylan really had a heart of gold, no denying it.

"I'll call an ambulance," I said softly. "He'll be okay." I knew he was going to be. Sebastian was tough.

Rylan nodded, his eyes never leaving mine, his breath coming in short gasps as he processed the events of the past few minutes. It was going to take some time until he was back to his normal self. And until we left this place for good, he wouldn't be the person I knew he was.

"Thank you," he whispered, his voice shaking. "For saving me, for protecting us."

I took a step towards him, my hands reaching for his. He didn't need to thank me. I did the bare minimum. I wished I could've done more.

"I'm sorry, Rylan," I said softly. "For the way I treated you, for not trusting you. I was wrong, and I'm sorry."

I was panting. I had always wondered what it would be like when I said those words. I didn't even know it was going to be those words exactly. But, it happened. It was something I had to do.

---