Page 2 of New Year with the Cartel

But I refused to let it overwhelm me. I focused on the burn in my lungs, on the ache in my muscles as I ran. I thought of the tiny life I might one day carry inside me, the chance to be a parent, to love and protect a child as I had never been loved or protected.

That thought spurred me on, giving me the strength to push myself even harder. I could not give in, could not let that dream be shattered before it even had a chance to come to life. I had to survive, had to keep going.

My lungs burned and my legs ached as I ran, the sound of the stranger's footsteps growing closer and closer behind me. I thought he wasn't going to chase me, but he was. He was right behind me, and he was actually pretty fast.

I could hear his ragged breaths, and could almost feel the heat of his body as he gained on me. Panic clawed at my throat, my mind reeling as I tried to think of a way out of this nightmare. The only way I could see was running as fast as possible.

Just as his fingers brushed against the back of my coat, a dark figure seemed to materialize from the shadows of a nearby alley. Who was that person? I asked myself before realizing Ididn't even have enough time to know if it was a man or a woman.

Before I could process what was happening, the figure moved with a speed and strength that belied its vague outline, slamming into the stranger and sending him crashing to the ground. I should be thankful, but I wasn't, and mostly because I didn't know who was saving me.

I stumbled to a halt, panting and terrified, as the figure loomed over the addict. The stranger scrambled to his feet, his eyes wide with a mix of fear and belligerence. "This is between me and the omega, man! Back off!"

But the figure said nothing, their face obscured by the gloom. Something about their stance, their sheer size compared to the scrawny addict, made the stranger think twice about trying to fight back. It just wasn't a good choice.

He took a step back, then another, until he was nearly pressed against the wall of the alley.

"You're not going to touch him again," the figure said, their voice a low, threatening rumble. "You're going to turn around and walk away, forget this ever happened. Because if I see you near him again..."

The implied threat hung heavy in the air. They also talked as though they knew me, even though I didn't think they did. It just didn't make sense. Why would that person know me?

The stranger's eyes darted between me and the shadowy figure, his foot tapping nervously. Then, with a muttered curse, he turned and slunk away, disappearing into the night as quickly as he had appeared. Just like that, he was gone, and maybe I was safe.

I stood there frozen, my heart still racing, as the figure slowly turned to face me. Even in the dim light of the alley, I could see the cold, hard anger in their eyes. They looked me up and down, assessing me with a critical gaze.

"You should be more careful, omega," they said, their voice still low but no longer threatening. "Walking these streets alone, looking like that... it's asking for trouble."

Even though they were talking to me, I still couldn't figure out whether they were a man or a woman. My mind wasn't quite working properly.

I swallowed hard, my mouth suddenly dry. "I... thank you," I managed to get out. "For saving me. But who are you? Why did you help me?"

The figure stepped closer, and I found myself pressing back against the wall, feeling trapped and vulnerable.

Chapter 2

Fendwyr

As the omega pressed himself against the wall, I could see the fear in his eyes, the way his body trembled. I knew why he was feeling that way, but still wished I could do something about it.

It made a surge of protective instinct rise up inside me, an unfamiliar but not unwelcome feeling. I had acted on impulse, seeing a threat to a seemingly innocent person, and intervened. I didn't plan on it or knew him, but I couldn't just stand there and let that addict hurt him. It wouldn't have been like me to remain passive.

I stepped closer, letting the dim light of the alley illuminate my features. The omega's eyes widened as he took in my appearance. I was a large alpha, muscular and imposing, and I could see the apprehension in his green eyes.

"It's alright, I'm not going to hurt you,"I said, keeping my voice low and soothing despite the adrenaline still pumping through my veins."You don't need to know who I am. What matters is that you're safe now."

And he was, for sure. As long as I was around, nobody could hurt him.

I extended a hand towards him, offering to help him up. I could see the hesitation in his eyes, and the internal struggle as he weighed the risks. Again, I couldn't blame him; in this part of the city, trusting a stranger could be deadly. But I had no ulterior motives, no hidden agenda. I had just been in the right place at the right time. Nothing more than that.

"I found you by pure chance,"I explained, my gaze holding his."I heard raised voices and came to investigate. I saw a young omega being accosted by a dangerous-looking addict and acted accordingly. Simple as that."

He still didn't take my hand, so I slowly withdrew it, not wanting to pressure him."I know you have no reason to trust me,"I said, a note of understanding in my voice."But please, believe me when I say that I only want to help you, if you'll let me."

The omega eyed my outstretched hand warily, suspicion etched into every line of his delicate features. He had every right to be suspicious of me. After all, I was a stranger to him.

He made no move to take my hand, instead wrapping his arms around himself in a protective gesture that spoke volumes about his guarded state of mind.

"I... I don't know," he stammered, his voice barely above a whisper. "Last time I trusted someone, they...they betrayed me. I can't just assume you're any different."

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