Page 15 of Alpha’s Fake Marriage

But as the shock of Ratty’s revelation faded, a sense of anger simmered beneath the surface, a fierce determination to protectIrina from those who sought to exploit her for their own gain. Especially now that I knew more.

“Piotr, Irina’s father, used her bloodline to avoid paying his debts to the Bratva,” Ratty continued, her voice filled with indignation. “He saw her as nothing more than a pawn in his twisted game, a means to an end. He has high-stakes gambling debts, and his daughter is the solution.”

The revelation hit me like a sudden storm, shaking me to my core with its sheer audacity. How could anyone be so callous, so devoid of empathy, as to treat another human being as nothing more than a means to an end? The mere thought of it sent a shiver racing down my spine, a cold reminder of the darkness that lurked within the hearts of men. I clenched my fists, my anger simmering just beneath the surface as I struggled to contain the raging storm of emotions that threatened to consume me.

“We won’t let them get away with this,” I declared, my voice ringing out with conviction. “We’ll do whatever it takes to keep Irina safe, to protect her from those who would seek to harm her. She’s one of us now, one of ours, and we always protect our own. That’s just how this town works.”

As the weight of the situation settled upon us, I knew we were facing an enemy unlike any we had encountered before. The Bratva would not give up their search for Irina easily, and we needed to be prepared for whatever challenges lay ahead.

“We need to come up with a plan,” I declared, my voice firm with determination. “The Bratva won’t stop until they find Irina, and we need to be ready for whatever they throw at us.”

My pack mates nodded in agreement, their expressions grim and serious as they listened to my words.

“I have an idea,” I continued, my voice tinged with uncertainty. “It’s risky, but it might buy us some time.”

With a sense of trepidation gnawing at the edges of my mind, I outlined my plan to my pack mates, explaining that if anyone outside the Clan asked about Irina, we would tell them that she was my fiancée and had been living here for about a year. The words felt like a lie on my tongue, a flimsy cover story that would likely unravel under scrutiny. But desperate times called for desperate measures, and I was willing to do whatever it took to protect Irina from the Bratva.

My pack mates exchanged uneasy glances, but ultimately, they nodded in agreement, their expressions filled with determination. They understood the risks involved but were willing to stand by my side, no matter the cost.

With our first plan in place, we set to work, preparing for the battle ahead. My mind raced with possibilities, each scenario playing out like a chess match in the recesses of my thoughts. I knew our cover story was flimsy at best, but it was the best chance we had to throw Irina’s pursuers off the scent, at least for the time being. First and foremost, we needed to reinforce our defenses and fortify our position against any potential threats that might arise. I made a mental note to increase patrols around the perimeter and keep a vigilant eye out for any signs of trouble.

Next, we needed to bolster our cover story to make it as convincing as possible in the event that anyone outside the Clan questioned us about Irina. I would need to enlist the help of my pack mates to ensure that our story remained consistent and believable under scrutiny.

But even as I made my plans, a sense of unease gnawed at the edges of my mind, a reminder of the dangers that lurked in the shadows. The Bratva would not give up their search for Irina easily, and we needed to be prepared for whatever challenges lay ahead. All of us. Not just the World Walkers, but the Blackpaws and the Cresent Moons. This was something we would likely all have to tackle as a town, testing the peace treaty once more.

NINE

IRINA

As Octavio and I embarked on our next date, anticipation bubbled within me like a pot on the verge of boiling over. His presence was a comforting balm to the uncertainties that had plagued me in recent days, and I relished the opportunity to spend time with him once more.

As we settled into our seats at a quaint café, Octavio reached into his pocket and withdrew a small box. The glint of metal caught the light as he opened it to reveal a sparkling ring nestled within.

My breath caught in my throat as I gazed upon the delicate beauty of the ring, its shimmering gemstones casting a mesmerizing glow that seemed to dance in the sunlight. But as Octavio spoke, his words brought me crashing back to reality.

“Irina,” he began, his voice gentle yet firm, “I know it’s way too soon for a real engagement ring, but I wanted to give you this as a symbol of our commitment to each other. I also want it to be part of what keeps you safe.”

“Keeps me safe?” I asked as Octavio slipped the ring on my finger. “What do you mean?”

“So, here’s the plan,” Octavio began, his voice calm and steady. “We’ll pretend to be engaged. Like we have been engagedfor a year because you’ve been living in town for that long. It’s a way to avoid suspicion and hide your identity from your father and the Bratva. You didn’t run away that long ago, so it will distract people from you.”

I listened intently as Octavio outlined the details of the fake engagement plot, his words painting a picture of a carefully orchestrated charade designed to protect me from the dangers that lurked around every corner.

“It’s risky, I know,” Octavio admitted, his expression serious. “But it’s the best chance we have of keeping you safe.”

As he spoke, I couldn’t help but feel a glimmer of hope stir within me. Despite the dangers that lay ahead, I knew that Octavio was determined to do whatever it took to keep me out of harm’s way.

“Are you sure about this?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

Octavio nodded, his gaze unwavering. “I’m sure,” he said firmly. “I won’t let anything happen to you, Irina. I promise.”

The weight of his sacrifice settled over me like a heavy blanket, filling me with a sense of humility and awe. I knew the risks he was taking and the potential consequences of his actions, yet he faced them with unwavering resolve, guided by a steadfast commitment to protect me at all costs.

And as I looked into his eyes, filled with a mixture of determination and vulnerability, I knew that I could never repay him for the kindness and selflessness he had shown me. All I could do was offer him my heartfelt gratitude, a silent promise to stand by his side no matter what challenges lay ahead.

With a trembling breath, I reached out and took Octavio’s hand in mine, squeezing it tightly as a silent gesture of thanks. He was putting everything on the line for me, risking his own safety for my sake, and I would never forget that.

As Octavio ledthe way to his home, my mind buzzed with a mixture of anticipation and curiosity. I had known him for a short time, but already, he had revealed himself to be a man of depth and complexity, and I couldn’t help but wonder what other surprises lay in store. I felt like I would get to know him more, just by seeing how he lived. I was so grateful that he had invited me back with him at the end of dinner.

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