Page 2 of Snatched Up By the Cartel

He was probably another wolf, I presumed, as Blackrock was a specialized prison for shifters. Because I was a shifter as well, I was taken here. There were prisons for humans. I wished I was in one of those, even though I would stick out even more.

Without a moment's pause, the guard unlocked the door and forcefully ushered me into the cramped cell, the metallic click of the lock reverberating through the confined space. He showed no concern for my autonomy, merely focused on executing his duty, which currently entailed confining me within these walls.

The figure within stood, and my breath caught in my throat. He was doing push-ups before, but after realizing he had a cellmate, he stopped doing that. He wanted to know who was going to be rooming with him.

This moment was so tense I just wanted the floor to open up and swallow me whole.

My cellmate was massive, towering over me with muscles that strained against his orange prison jumpsuit. I immediately thought they should make him bigger clothes.

Tattoos snaked up his neck and disappeared beneath the fabric, suggesting a body adorned with ink. Though I had no reason to pry, I found myself pondering the significance of each mark. Yet, knowing he would never divulge their meanings, dwelling on them seemed futile.

His hair, a deep brown, was cropped close to his head, and intense brown eyes assessed me from beneath thick eyebrows. Just from looking at him, I could tell he was an alpha. And, I was an omega. We shouldn't have been paired together. There were so many horrible things he could do to me just because I was what I was.

"Well, well. What do we have here?" A deep, gravelly voice rumbled from him, sending a shiver down my spine. I couldn't place his accent, but it had a hint of a Mexican lilt to it.

He was probably from Mexico and a member of a cartel. This couldn't be worse. I knew my cellmate was probably going to be a member of a gang, but a cartel mobster? That I didn't think was going to happen. He was much more dangerous than I thought he was going to be.

I cautiously took a step back, my heart racing in my chest. Sweat was already beading on my skin, the urge to shower overwhelming despite the impossibility of it. I was acutely aware that now wasn't the time for such luxuries.

I knew nothing of this wolf, and my instincts screamed at me to be cautious. Should I say something? Should I remain silent? The only thing I knew was that everything I did had to be considered at least a few times beforehand. Otherwise, I might endanger myself.

"I-I'm Rylan," I stammered, my eyes flicking around the cell, taking in the two narrow beds, a small table, and a few meager possessions.

There wasn't much. There wasn't even enough space for the two of us. He occupied so much space. He needed his own cell, no denying it.

The wolf smirked, and I noticed the hint of a dimple on his cheek. Just as I thought, he didn't only now that he was the one in charge here, but he also found me funny. It was yet another reason for him to bully me.

"Mateo," he introduced himself.

He didn't say it, but I quickly noticed the famous Solstice tattoo around his neck. That already told me a lot about him and it wasn't anything good.

I swallowed, my throat dry. "I'm Rylan," I repeated, my voice barely above a whisper. I knew the Solstice name; everyone did. Mateo was a member of the notorious Nightshade Wolves cartel, a pack known for their brutal tactics and illegal dealings. Fear prickled at my skin as I realized the company I now kept.

Things were definitely getting worse. Not only was he a gangster and a member of a cartel, but he was also with the Nightshade Wolves. I had heard so much about them. I had to be even more careful around him.

"And the rest of your name?" he inquired, his gaze penetrating mine. Did he really want to delve into that as well? It felt as though he were scrutinizing me, assessing my entirety.

"Nightfang," I answered, even though I didn't want to. I realized that the less he knew about me, the better.

"Nightfang, huh?" Mateo raised an eyebrow, his expression unreadable. "That name carries some weight 'round here."

I flinched, knowing the truth of his words. My pack, the Nightfangs, held a certain amount of power and influence, but it was all built on a foundation of lies and corruption. Lies that I had helped perpetuate until Adrian had turned on me.

Everything about my family was built on lies. Maybe that was the reason why Adrian betrayed me. I was trying to change it, trying to do something better, but I couldn't.

"It wasn't me," I blurted out, my eyes pleading with him to understand. "I didn't do what they said I did."

I didn't know why I said that. It wasn't like he accused me. On top of that, I didn't think it was going to change anything. If anything, it was only going to make everything worse.

To my surprise, Mateo chuckled, a deep sound that seemed to fill the small cell. The weight of his presence was undeniable. Even if he were somewhere else and the place was bigger, I would still only be looking at him because he stood out in a good way. Everybody was afraid of him.

"Innocent, huh? They all say that." His eyes glinted with a hint of humor, but only because he found me so funny. I wished I wasn't. I was out of my element. I couldn't even do anything to change his mind about me. Even if there were something I could do, it wouldn't work.

"I am," I insisted, my voice stronger this time. "Adrian set me up. He was my best friend and brother. I would have done anything for him, and he knew it." My voice cracked as I thought of the betrayal, the pain still fresh.

The only other reason why the betrayal happened was because I trusted him so much. I should've done something. I should have realized it was going to happen. When I noticed something was amiss, it was already too late.

Mateo's gaze softened, and he took a step forward, closing the distance between us. I took a few steps back. The first thing I thought he was going to do was hurt me. Right on my first day here, my cellmate was going to hurt me. It couldn't get much worse than that.

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