Page 5 of Hunted By the Cartel

I did it! I didn't think I was going to be able to do that, but I did it.

Just then, the front door burst open, and in strode the alpha from the Nightshade Wolves. His presence filled the room, and his eyes narrowed at the sight before him. Wait, what was he doing here? Did he come here to try to kill me as well?

With a swiftness that startled me, he moved toward the hooded figure, his movements graceful yet deadly. He knew what he was doing before he stormed inside.

"Get out of here, Rowan," he growled, his eyes never leaving the intruder. "If someone is going to kill you, it has to be me."

I hesitated, my heart torn between fear and curiosity. But as the alpha lunged, hitting the threat with a swift movement, I knew I had to trust him. I thought I would never trust him, but here I was. He was the only one who could protect me.

I backed away, my eyes glued to the scene unfolding before me. I couldn't even blink.

The alpha was a force to be reckoned with, his every move calculated and powerful. As much as I didn't want to think this, he made me feel safe, despite the situation I was in.

He knocked the figure to the ground with one blow, and in an instant, he had a knee pressed against his chest, a menacing snarl on his lips. He was dangerous. I knew that, if he wanted to kill me, I wouldn't stand a chance.

"Who are you?" He demanded, his voice like thunder. "And why are you after this omega?"

The figure, now revealed to be a young man, spat at the alpha's feet, his eyes flashing with hatred. "You'll never know," he hissed. "But just know that your protection won't last, alpha. You might think that the Nightshade Wolves care about what you want, but they don't."

The alpha's eyes narrowed, and he pressed his knee harder against the man's chest, eliciting a pained grunt. "Who sent you?" He growled, his voice dangerous. I knew he wasn't going to give up. This would only stop after he got the information he wanted. "Was it the boss? Did he send you to collect from Rowan?" He inhaled. "But why would he do that, anyway?"

The man said nothing, his lips pressed into a defiant line. The alpha's eyes flicked to me, a silent command for me to wait outside. Given what was happening, I would do anything he wanted me to do.

With a nod, I backed away, my heart still pounding, and stepped out into the hallway, my ears straining to hear what was happening inside. I had to know. Even though I didn't want to think this, I wanted to make sure that the alpha was going to be okay.

A few moments later, the alpha emerged, his eyes dark and troubled. What happened? Did he kill the person who was trying to hurt me?

"That man works for the boss," he said, his voice grim. "It seems your debt has escalated, Rowan. Vincent wants his money now, and he's not willing to wait. There is not much I can do." He exhaled. "To be honest, I don't even know why I'm protecting you. I should kill you right now."

My heart sank as the reality of my situation hit me. "What do I do?" I whispered, my voice small. "I don't have the money, and now they're coming after me. I thought we had a deal."

The alpha's eyes softened, and he placed a gentle hand on my shoulder. "You'll come with me," he said, his voice firm. Uhh, what? Why would I go with him? But then, I remembered that there was nowhere else for me to go. Not even the condominium where I lived could keep me safe. You'll be safe with me, at least for a while. We'll figure out a way to buy you more time." He exhaled. "The boss can be a little dramatic sometimes. I just need to talk to him."

I didn't know why he was pretending that all this wasn't a big deal. It was. He just went against his boss's wish to kill me and he wasn't worried? For all we knew, his boss could deliver the order to kill him too.

I searched the alpha's eyes, my heart torn between fear and gratitude. This alpha, this stranger, was offering me protection, a chance to hide from the cartel until we could find another solution.

But I was going to hide from the cartel by being with a cartel member. Was that going to work? I didn't think so.

"Please," he said, his voice gentle but commanding. "Trust me, Rowan. I won't let anyone hurt you while you're under my protection."

Again, why was he protecting me? It really didn't make any sense.

I hesitated, my heart pounding in my chest. I knew nothing about this alpha, not even his name, yet I found myself placing my trust in him. With a shaky breath, I nodded, my eyes never leaving his.

After all, what else could I do? I couldn't think of anything good.

Not to mention, what about my sister? Was she even still alive?

He led me out of that wretched house, away from the darkness and toward the promise of safety. Or, as I was thinking, as safe as I could be.

As we drove into the city, the lights of downtown twinkling in the distance, I felt a sense of relief wash over me. For now, I was okay.

Perhaps this alpha, whoever he was, could protect me from the cartel and give me the time I needed to pay my debt. Maybe he was only interested in the money, but at least he was doing better than his boss.

Though, as we pulled up to a sleek, modern apartment building, my heart still raced with uncertainty. I knew nothing about this alpha, and now I was putting my life in his hands. So many things could go wrong and I didn't have any control over them.

"We're here," he said, his voice soft as he guided me out of the car. "No one will find you here, Rowan. You're safe now. As long as I'm around, you don't have anything to worry about."

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