Page 19 of Hunted By the Cartel

He bit his lip, his eyes searching mine. "Tell me," he said, his voice quiet. "Please. Tell me everything."

I knew he was whispering because he didn't want anybody to hear our conversation. It was better that way. It was a private matter, after all.

So, I took a steadying breath, my eyes never leaving his. "I dreamed that you were mine," I said, my voice low. "That we were mates, destined to be together."

His eyes widened, his breath catching in his throat as he processed my words. Just from his reaction, I knew he understood me. He didn't think it was weird. He understood exactly what I was talking about.

"I had a dream, too," he whispered. "The same dream, I think. I don't think I'm mistaken about that."

I nodded, my heart hammering in my chest as the truth sank in. My nervousness was one of the reasons I was becoming surer about my suspicion. He really was my fated omega.

"We're fated mates," I said, my voice rough. "It's why I felt so drawn to you, why I couldn't stay away. That explains everything."

He nodded, his eyes shining with unshed tears. "I felt it, too," he whispered. "But I thought it was just my imagination. I didn't think it was real because I thought it would happen differently. People had always told me I would know immediately after seeing my other half."

I took his hand in mine, my thumb brushing over his knuckles. His hand was soft and warm. He didn't pull back, allowing me to hold his hand for as long as I wanted. And as long as it depended on me, that was going to be a long time.

"It's real, Rowan," I said. "And I promise to do everything in my power to get us out of this mess and keep you safe. I know it's going to be risky, but it's going to be worth it. Trust me."

He squeezed my hand, his eyes shining with hope. "I trust you, Diego," he said,. "And I'm grateful for your protection, for everything. I didn't think I would ever say something like that, but there are also so many other things I never thought would happen. I never thought the cartel would come after the money I owed them, to begin with. Not after so much time."

I pulled him close, my arms wrapping around him, and pressed a soft kiss to his forehead. He allowed me to do that, his body melting into mine. He trusted me now more than any person in his life, and that was something I cherished.

"We'll get through this," I whispered, my lips brushing his hair. "I know we will."

Chapter 11

Rowan

As I sat huddled in the corner of the safe house, my heart pounding in my chest, I couldn't help but feel a sense of dread. I was, of course, still surrounded by the very people I feared—the Nightshade Wolves cartel—and yet, I was under the protection of one of their own, Diego.

I couldn't help but keep thinking about it, that just because someone was from a certain group, it didn't mean they were the same as the rest.

It was ironic, to say the least. I owed my life to someone who worked for the organization that wanted me dead. Life certainly had a strange sense of humor. And I didn't like it.

Diego had brought me to this secluded safehouse after rescuing me from the hooded figure who had tried to kill me. I still couldn't believe I had agreed with him, that it was a good idea.

He assured me that I would be safe here, that he would make everything work. But I couldn't shake the feeling of unease that lingered in every fiber of my being. I was a rabbit shifter, small and fragile compared to the alpha wolves that surrounded me. I felt so small, like they could crush me at any moment.

One wrong move, one misstep, and I feared they would rip me to shreds. That was why I was careful and always considered everything I did multiple times beforehand.

Diego had been true to his word, keeping me by his side at all times and ensuring that no one laid a paw on me. Without his protection, I probably wouldn't be alive.

But the tension in the safehouse was palpable. I could sense the other cartel members' displeasure at my presence, their glares sending shivers down my spine. Their boss wanted me dead and they would do anything he wanted. He just hadn't given the order yet, though I imagined he soon would.

I was just someone who owed them money, an outsider, and they wanted me gone after I paid my debt.

Among them was Marcus. His eyes held a mixture of anger and resentment whenever they landed on me, and I could tell he was just waiting for an opportunity to strike. I wished he didn't focus so much on me, but I couldn't do anything about it.

Diego, on the other hand, seemed unbothered by the hostile atmosphere. It wasn't the first time he was surrounded by people like them, after all.

He moved with an air of confidence, his every action exuding power and authority. Those were some of the reasons why I could continue to endure all this without freaking out.

He was a force to be reckoned with, and the other cartel members seemed to recognize that, grumbling under their breath but ultimately yielding to his dominance. Still, if their boss gave the order, they wouldn't hesitate to kill him. He was just one man, after all.

As the hours ticked by, the tension in the safehouse only seemed to grow. My heart hammered in my chest and I kept thinking about the worst things that could happen.

Diego had been called away to speak with Vincent, leaving me alone with the other cartel members. I wished he hadn't done that, but I knew he hadn't had a choice. It was either that or death.

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