Page 31 of Alpha’s Fake Marriage

“I have a plan,” Octavio continued, his voice steady despite the urgency of our situation. “We’ll challenge them, drive them out of town, and keep you safe up on the mountain until it’s over. That way, they have no way of finding you.”

His words struck a chord deep within me, igniting a spark of determination that blazed with new found resolve. With a nod of agreement, I turned to my mother, her eyes reflecting the same fierce determination that burned within my own heart.

“Let’s do it,” she said, her voice firm with conviction as she took my hand in hers. Together, we stood as one, united in our resolve to face whatever trials lay ahead with unwavering courage. “As long as we are out of their sight, I will feel safe.”

I was surprised to see her putting so much faith into Octavio, but maybe after everything, she had learned to trust as well.

With Octavio at our side, we set off once more into the night, the promise of a better tomorrow beckoning us forward like a guiding light in the darkness. Once we arrived at the mountain side World Walkers’ cabin, a sense of relief washed over me like a soothing balm, the weight of fear and uncertainty finally lifting from my shoulders. Surrounded by some members of Octavio’s pack who had clearly been stationed here to defend us if anythingdidgo wrong, their watchful eyes scanning the horizon for any signs of danger, I felt a new found sense of security settle over me like a protective cloak.

Octavio stood before us, his presence a stalwart shield against the looming threat that lurked just beyond the safety of our sanctuary. With a solemn determination etched on hisfeatures, he pledged to keep both my mother and me safe from harm, his unwavering resolve a beacon of hope in the darkness that surrounded us.

“We’ll keep you safe here,” Octavio vowed, his voice resonating with a quiet strength that filled me with a renewed sense of courage. “No harm will come to you while you’re under our protection.”

His words were like a lifeline, anchoring us to the promise of a brighter tomorrow amidst the uncertainty of the present. With a sense of gratitude swelling within my heart, I looked to my mother. Her eyes reflected the same sense of relief and gratitude that mirrored my own.

“But I must go,” he reminded me, much to my disappointment. “I have to fight along with the other pack leaders. It’s the only way to keep us safe.”

As Octavio prepared to face the looming threat head on, a surge of apprehension tightened its grip around my heart, knotting my stomach with worry. The weight of concern bore down on me like a heavy burden, each passing moment filled with the uncertainty of what lay ahead.

“Irina,” Octavio’s voice broke through the fog of my fears, his steady gaze anchoring me to the present moment. “I know you’re worried, but I’ve faced much worse than this before. I’ll handle it, I promise.”

His words offered a glimmer of reassurance amidst the turmoil of my thoughts, a beacon of hope cutting through the darkness that threatened to consume me. With a trembling breath, I nodded in silent acquiescence, placing my trust in Octavio and his unwavering resolve.

“Just please be patient,” Octavio continued, his voice a gentle caress against the tumult of my fears. “I’ll be back soon, I promise.”

As he drew me close, his lips met mine in a tender kiss, each fleeting moment infused with the promise of his imminent return. With a whispered farewell, he stepped away, his silhouette fading into the distance as he embarked upon his perilous journey.

Alone once more, I watched him disappear into the night, a flicker of hope guiding his path through the darkness. And as I waited in the stillness of our sanctuary, a silent prayer echoed within my heart, a fervent plea for his safe return amidst the uncertainty that surrounded us.

As the hoursstretched into agonizing eternity, every passing moment weighed heavily upon me, each heartbeat echoing the rhythm of my escalating fears. I felt so alone in the shelter of the mountainside cabin. I found myself consumed by an overwhelming sense of apprehension, my thoughts consumed by the looming threat that lurked beyond the safety of our sanctuary.

With Octavio gone to face the dangers that awaited him, I couldn’t do anything but wait, my heart aflutter with worry for his wellbeing. Every distant sound, every rustle of the wind, sent shivers racing down my spine, each fleeting moment fraught with the uncertainty of what lay ahead.

But it was clear that no one else wanted me to feel alone—Mom, too. They kept talking to us and letting us know that everything was going to be just fine, even when it truly felt like it wasn’t.

In the midst of my despair, a gentle hand found its way to my shoulder, its touch a comforting balm against the raw edges of my frayed nerves. Turning to face my new friend andconfidante, Ratty’s eyes met mine with a silent understanding, her expression a mirror of the turmoil that raged within me.

Without a word, she wrapped me in a tight embrace, her arms a reassuring anchor amidst the storm of emotions that threatened to engulf me. In the warmth of her embrace, I found solace, her presence a beacon of light amidst the darkness that surrounded us.

As tears welled in my eyes, I allowed myself to lean into her embrace, the weight of my fears lifted ever so slightly by the strength of her unwavering support. In that moment, I knew that no matter what trials lay ahead, I would not face them alone, for in Ratty’s friendship, I found the courage to endure.

“I just don’t know what to do, Ratty. Everything feels so overwhelming right now. I hate this fight happening. Especially when I don’t know what’s going on. And I hate that it’s my fault as well.”

“Hey, it’s okay, Irina. We’ve got each other’s backs, remember? We’ll get through this together.” Ratty did her best to make me feel better. “And none of this is your fault. Brian is the one who brought the Bratva here.”

“For me…” I reminded her, sniffing. “And what if something happens to Octavio out there? What if we’re not safe here? What if all of this is for nothing?”

Ratty grinned. “We’re gonna be fine, Irina. Octavio’s tough as nails, you know that. And his pack, they won’t let anything happen to us. We just need to stay strong and trust that everything will work out.”

“I’m trying, Ratty. It’s just... everything is happening so fast, and I feel like I’m barely keeping it together.”

“I get it, believe me. But you’re stronger than you think, Irina. We’ve been through tough times before, and we’ve always come out the other side. This won’t be any different.”

Truth be told, I didn’t know what I would do without Ratty and the World Walkers now. Not just Octavio, but all of them. I really hoped that at the end of this, I wouldn’t have to find out.

SIXTEEN

OCTAVIO

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