Page 2 of Alpha’s Fake Marriage

As if sensing my curiosity, Octavio’s wolf padded closer, his movements fluid and graceful. I held my breath, every instinct screaming at me to run, but I stood my ground, unable to tear my gaze away from him.

To my surprise, Octavio’s wolf nuzzled against my hand, his touch gentle and reassuring. A rush of warmth flooded through me, dispelling the lingering traces of fear and replacing them with a sense of calm and understanding.

Not all wolves had to be like the ones from horror stories.

Some could be sweet, and it seemed like Octavio was one of those.

Leaving Octavio’s head shop, I walked briskly through the streets of the quaint mountain town, the weight of my new job settling heavily on my shoulders. The anticipation mingled with apprehension as I contemplated the challenges that lay ahead.

The prospect of working at the head shop filled me with both excitement and uncertainty. It was a chance for a fresh start, an opportunity to rebuild our lives in this unfamiliar place. But since I’d lied and this wasn’t something I’d ever done before, I wasn’t sure I could handle it.

I had always been a quick learner, though, and that was what I would rely on.

It wasn’t long until I arrived at the hotel me and Mom were hiding out in for the time being. It wasn’t the most glamorous place we’d ever stayed in, but for now, it was our sanctuary and wereallyneeded that.

I stepped into the dimly lit hotel room, the weight of the day’s revelations still heavy on my shoulders. The air was thick with tension, and I could sense my mother’s restless sleep from across the room.

Quietly, I made my way to her side, my heart aching at the sight of her troubled expression. Her brow was furrowed in distress; her hands clenched into fists as if she were fighting against unseen demons.

Gently, I reached out and placed a hand on her shoulder, giving her a shake. “Mama,” I whispered softly, my voice barely above a murmur. “It’s me, Irina. You’re safe. It’s just a dream.”

Slowly, my mother’s eyes fluttered open, her gaze unfocused as she blinked away the remnants of her nightmares. There was confusion in her eyes for a moment, followed by a flicker of recognition as she realized where she was.

“Are we... are we still free?” she asked, her voice trembling with fear and uncertainty.

I offered her a reassuring smile, squeezing her hand gently in mine. “Yes, Mama,” I replied, my voice steady despite the turmoil raging inside me. “We’re still free. No one can hurt us here.”

A small sigh of relief escaped my mother’s lips, her tense muscles relaxing ever so slightly as she leaned into my touch. “Thank you, Irina,” she murmured, her voice barely audible above the hushed silence of the room.

I smiled, brushing a stray lock of hair away from her forehead. “It’s nothing, Mama,” I said softly. “We’re in this together, remember? And guess what? I got a job today. We’llhave a steady income now, just you and me. We’re going to be just fine.”

A flicker of surprise crossed my mother’s features, followed by a glimmer of pride. “You did?” she exclaimed, her eyes lighting up with hope. “Oh, Irina, that’s wonderful news! I knew you could do it.”

I nodded, a sense of determination settling over me. “Yes, Mama,” I said firmly. “We’ll make it through this, no matter what. Together.” And as I looked into my mother’s eyes, I knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, I would do this for her.

She needed to be free, maybe even more than I did.

Mom turned over and drifted off back to sleep while I lay atop my own bed, my mind whirring, drifting back to the harrowing journey that had led us to this moment. Memories, both vivid and haunting, danced at the edges of my consciousness, threatening to engulf me in their suffocating embrace.

I thought of the life we had fled, the oppressive shadow of fear that had hung over us like a shroud. The constant dread of my father’s looming presence, his icy gaze stripping away every shred of dignity and autonomy. The suffocating weight of his expectations. His demands for obedience and submission echoed in the recesses of my mind.

And then there were the whispers of the Bratva, the insidious tendrils of their influence reaching out to ensnare us in their web of deceit and treachery. My father’s debts, a burden too heavy to bear, threatening to crush us beneath their weight. The suffocating grip of their control, tightening with each passing day, choking the life out of us until we could barely breathe.

That was all going to lead to my death… I was absolutely sure of it.

If I didn’t get out, I would end up dead.

But we had escaped, my mother and I, fleeing into the night with nothing but the clothes on our backs and the desperate hope of a better life. We had left behind the pain and the suffering, the chains of our past dragging behind us as we raced toward an uncertain future.

And now, here we were, in this unfamiliar town nestled among the mountains, our hearts heavy with the weight of all we had left behind. But there was also hope, a glimmer of light shining through the darkness, guiding us towards a new beginning.

I closed my eyes, the memories fading into the background as I focused on the present moment. We had escaped, yes, but we had also survived. As long as we had each other, we would find a way to thrive in this new world, no matter what challenges lay ahead.

TWO

OCTAVIO

The familiar scent of cedar and sage filled the air as I stepped into James’s office, the weight of recent events heavy on my mind. His rugged features were set in a grim expression as he sat behind his desk, a map of the mountain region spread out before him.

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