Page 8 of Set Up By the Cartel

In the meantime, I realized Javier had already disappeared. Even in his drunken state, he knew better than to keep being a nuisance.

Without waiting for a response from Kael, I turned on my heel and strode towards the mouth of the alleyway leading out onto the main street. Behind me, I heard Kael push unsteadily to his feet, muttering curses under his breath even as he hurried in the opposite direction.

Chapter 4

Kael

A few nights later, I found myself pacing the length of Club Nocturne's dimly lit interior like a caged tiger, jaw clenched tight around an unlit cigarillo. That damn alpha had been showing up every evening without fail these past several days, inserting himself into my life whether I wanted him there or not.

At first, I tried ignoring his presence altogether — refusing to engage whenever he attempted conversation beyond taking his drink orders. But he proved relentless, cornering me during lulls in business to press his unwanted attention upon me.

"Don't think that you can fight destiny,"he purred, leaning across the bar top with a roguish grin."The prophecy won't be denied."

Prophecy? What fucking prophecy? I scoffed internally, rolling my eyes so hard I swore I saw my brain rattle. As if I believed in any of that superstitious nonsense! The first time we met, he was already going on about that fated mates stuff. I’d heard of it, but always thought it was nonsense — no matter how drawn I felt to him. I figured it was just hormones and the urge to hook up.

"Listen, compadre..."I began, leveling him with a warning glare."I appreciate the flattery and all, but I'm not interested in whatever game you think we're playing here. So why don't you take your mystical mumbo-jumbo elsewhere and leave me to work?"

Mateo just laughed, clearly amused by my irritation. The bastard probably got off on pissing me off! Well, two could play at that game...

"I have proof, if you'd care to look,"he offered with a smirk, reaching into his suit jacket pocket. My heart stuttered before resuming its normal rhythm. Proof of what exactly? Did he really think that I was going to believe it?

Nope, not falling for it! Squaring my shoulders, I crossed my arms over my chest."Save it for someone who buys into that hocus-pocus bullshit. I'm not biting."

His expression softened slightly, green eyes glinting with something akin to understanding."Suit yourself then. But mark my words, little wolf... fate has plans for us both whether you accept it now or fight tooth and nail against the inevitable."

I couldn’t believe an almost complete stranger was talking to me like that. It felt like a setup — like someone was recording us to post online. No doubt, it would go viral.

With that ominous declaration hanging heavy between us, he tossed a crisp bill onto the countertop and sauntered away without a backward glance. I watched him go, fingers curling into fists. Who did he think he was, waltzing in here spouting cryptic prophecies like some kind of modern-day Nostradamus?

Shaking my head, I tucked the money into the register and moved on to serving the next customer. Whatever delusions that arrogant asshole suffered from were his problem, not mine. I had enough issues to deal with without adding supernatural drama to the mix.

Later that night, however, after collapsing into bed utterly exhausted following another grueling shift, I couldn't seem to quiet my racing thoughts long enough to fall asleep. Every time I closed my eyes, visions of piercing green irises and sensual smiles danced behind my eyelids, taunting me with their very existence. I'd never felt this way. What was going on? I hated myself so much, my mind working against me.

Growling in frustration, I flung back the covers and stomped over to the window overlooking the darkened street below. The cool glass felt good pressed against my overheated skin as I leaned forward to peer down at the empty sidewalk three stories beneath.

That's when I spotted him. Mateo stood across the way, gazing up at my apartment with an intensity that made my stomach flip-flop despite the distance separating us. Even from this vantage point, I could make out the sharp angles of his chiseled features illuminated by the glow of a nearby streetlamp. I shouldn’t be doing this, and those thoughts shouldn’t even be crossing my mind.

What the hell was he doing skulking around out there at this hour? Was he stalking me or something? Before I could ponder further implications, he lifted one hand in casual greeting, waving as if we were old friends sharing a joke rather than strangers engaged in some bizarre game of cat-and-mouse.

Indignation surged through my veins, overriding any lingering traces of attraction. How dare he invade my privacy like this?! Didn't he have anything better to do than lurk outside my home uninvited? I mean, he was rich. He should be busy with something else, and not being a nuisance.

Without thinking twice, I wrenched open the window and leaned out far enough to shout down at him:

"What part of 'leave me alone' didn't you understand, asshole?"I snarled, fully aware of how ridiculous I must appear half-naked and disheveled. Too late, I realized my mistake...

Mateo's gaze raked over my exposed torso, lingering on the defined lines of muscle visible above the waistband of my boxer briefs. A slow, wicked smile spread across his face as he took full measure of my state of undress.

"Careful what you wish for,"he called back, voice dripping with seductive promise."You might get more than you bargained for."

Oh, I bet I would! Gritting my teeth, I slammed the window shut with enough force to rattle the panes. That smug bastard! Did he really think I was going to roll over and submit simply because he said so? Just because he thought we were meant to be? Hell no!

Besides, I was pretty sure he was just messing with me, getting a kick out of it. Yeah, that had to be it — and someone was definitely recording the whole thing.

Stalking back to bed, I threw myself facedown onto the mattress with a groan of pure frustration. This was exactly why I avoided getting involved with alphas — they always seemed to believe themselves entitled to control every aspect of your life once they decided they wanted you. Well, I refused to be anyone's puppet! Not this time. Not ever.

Tossing and turning for hours, I finally succumbed to exhaustion sometime near dawn only to plummet into a fitful dream filled with shadowy figures and ominous portents. In it, I found myself standing alone atop a windswept cliffside, staring out over an endless expanse of turbulent ocean waves crashing against jagged rocks below. I had no idea why I was having that dream, but it was happening.

Out of nowhere, a scroll materialized in my hands bearing strange glyphs and symbols I couldn't begin to decipher. As Istruggled to unroll the ancient parchment — it felt as though it was endless – it crumbled to dust right before my eyes, leaving me clutching nothing but air.

---