Page 21 of Alpha’s Fake Marriage

I swallowed hard. “He even took a photo of me… I think.”

Octavio’s suspicion was palpable as he absorbed the information, his eyes narrowing with a steely resolve. Without hesitation, he reached for his phone, dialing a number with swift determination.

I watched with a knot of anxiety tightening in my stomach. The urgency in Octavio’s voice was palpable, and my heart raced as I listened to him explain the situation to who I quickly realized was James. With every word, the gravity of the situation weighed heavily on my mind, the fear of Brian’s unwelcome advances sent a shiver down my spine.

“So, you’re going to handle Brian?” Octavio asked at the end of the conversation. “Because things like this cannot happen again.”

As the call ended and Octavio turned to face me, a sense of relief flooded through me. I knew that the road ahead would be difficult, but with Octavio by my side, I felt a new found sense of strength and determination. And as Octavio pulled me into his arms, I couldn’t help but feel a glimmer of hope amidst the darkness, knowing that no matter what obstacles we encountered, we would overcome them together.

I wasn’t alone any longer.

I didn’t need to worry about being alone again.

“I won’t let anything happen to you,” he vowed, his words a silent promise of protection. “I told you that before, and it’s a promise I intend to keep.”

And as he pulled me closer, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of gratitude wash over me. Octavio was more than just my soul mate—he was my protector, my guardian in a world filled with uncertainty. I needed him.

As the days passed,the memory of Brian’s unsettling presence lingered in the back of my mind, a constant reminder of the dangers that lurked just beyond the shadows. He was even the new face of danger, infecting all of my nightmares. But for a brief moment, it seemed as though Octavio’s swift action had brought about a sense of peace, a temporary reprieve from the turmoil that threatened to consume us.

We went about our daily routines, the routine of work and life providing a welcome distraction from the looming threat that hung over us. Octavio’s reassuring presence by my side brought me comfort, and his unwavering commitment to protect me served as a silent reminder of the strength of our bond.

And for a week, we were left undisturbed, the tranquility of our lives restored, if only for a fleeting moment. It was a welcome respite, a chance to catch our breath and steel ourselves for whatever challenges lay ahead.

But even as we basked in the calm of the moment, I couldn’t shake the feeling of unease that lingered in the air. Brian’s ominous presence still hung over us like a dark cloud, a silent reminder of the dangers that lurked just beyond the horizon.

As I returned home from work one afternoon, the weight of the day’s events still heavy on my mind, I knew I needed to share what had happened with my mother. But as I recounted the encounter with Brian, the concern that flickered in her eyes quickly escalated in to full-blown panic.

“Brian,” she whispered, her voice trembling with fear. “He’s from the Bratva.”

Her words sent a chill down my spine, the realization sinking in like a lead weight in the pit of my stomach. It wasn’t just arumor if it was coming from my mother. She had known the ins and outs of the Bratva pack for years. This really was something that we needed to be aware of.

But as my mother’s panic threatened to consume us both, I knew that I needed to remain calm, to reassure her that we would get through this together. With each word, I poured all of my strength and determination into calming her fears, soothing her with gentle assurances that we would find a way to protect ourselves.

As the minutes stretched into half an hour, the tension in the air gradually began to dissipate, replaced by a sense of calm that settled over us like a warm blanket. And in that moment of quiet reflection, my mother’s words hung heavy in the air, a silent reminder of the pain and regret that she carried with her.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I should have taken you and run from Piotr when I had the chance.”

But I shook my head, reaching out to take her hand in mine. “There’s nothing to forgive, Mama,” I replied, my voice soft but firm. “You did the best you could with the cards you were dealt. We’re safe now, and I intend to keep us that way. That’s all that matters.”

In that moment, as we sat together in the quiet comfort of our home, I realized just how much my mother had sacrificed for me, how much she had endured to keep me safe. And as I wrapped her in a tight embrace, I vowed to do whatever it took to protect her, to shield her from the dangers that lurked just beyond our door step.

TWELVE

OCTAVIO

The crackling of the fire and the scent of wood smoke filled the air as we gathered around the barbecue pit at the World Walker Pack’s cabin. Irina’s laughter floated on the breeze, her smile lighting up the night as she chatted animatedly with the other members of the pack. It was nice to see her smiling again even in the face of adversity. Although it helped that Jesse had some of his men keeping an eye on her mother so we could have a break tonight.

It was something we all desperately needed.

I couldn’t help but feel a swell of pride as I watched her interact with everyone, her warmth and kindness drawing them in like moths to a flame. It was clear that they liked her, that she had effortlessly woven herself into the fabric of our tight knit community. Thank goodness, because we were all putting so much on the line for her. It helped that she was well respected.

Introducing her to the pack had been a risk, just in case it changed everything, but one that had paid off in spades. From the moment she arrived, they had welcomed her with open arms, treating her like one of us. And as I watched her laugh and joke with them, I knew that she belonged here, with us.

As the night wore on, we sat around the fire, sharing stories and laughter as we enjoyed the simple pleasure of each other’s company. Irina’s presence had brought a sense of warmth and light to our gathering, her infectious energy lifting our spirits and filling the night with joy.

And as I looked around at the faces of my pack, I couldn’t help but feel grateful for their acceptance of Irina. She had become more than just my mate—she was a beloved member of our family, her presence bringing us closer together in ways I never thought possible.

For a while, I observed Irina and Ratty conversing, and a sense of relief washed over me. Ratty had a knack for putting people at ease, and Irina seemed to be genuinely enjoying their conversation. Their laughter filled the air, mingling with the comforting scent of old books that permeated the air.

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