Page 11 of Chaos Claimed

The man merely shrugged, a shadow of indifference crossing his features. “I think that’s the least of your worries right now.”

Santiago curled his fingers around the cold metal bars, his muscles tense, ready to snap the door open if he had to. “Why are you here, mutt?” he snarled.

A shadow of irritation flashed in the hyena’s eyes. “Quite the rescue operation. You snatched our subject before we’d finished with him. Killed some of my pack in the process.”

My pack. Santiago’s mind turned over those words. Diablo had escaped on his own, returning to the tavern with chains still tight around his wrists. But he and Santiago had gone back to that warehouse, only to be ambushed by hyenas. One of them had spilled the leader’s name. Was this man Rico, the hyenas’ alpha, or just a deluded subordinate dreaming of power?

“Rico.”

The hyena’s gaze remained impassive, his posture exuding an air of calculated control. “Does it matter?” He cocked his head slightly. “You’re in a cage, and I hold the key.”

Santiago’s jaw clenched, his knuckles whitening as he tightened his grip on the bars. “If you’re here to tranquilize me like you did Diablo, you’ll have to shoot me first.” A low, guttural growl rumbled in his throat. “I won’t go down without a fight.”

The corner of the hyena’s mouth twitched, a glimmer of amusement flickering in his eyes. “Tranquilize you? No, no. That would be too easy.” He took a step closer to the cell, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “We have something far more interesting planned for you, wolf.”

“Whatever you’re planning, my pack will find me.” Santiago’s voice was low, threatening. “And when they do, they’ll end you so fast even your ghost will hesitate to linger.”

The hyena chuckled, a dark, unsettling sound that echoed off the concrete walls. “Oh, I’m counting on it.” He reached inside his suit jacket, withdrawing a small, metallic object. “In fact, I’m rather looking forward to meeting the infamous Matias Salvador.”

Santiago’s eyes widened a fraction as he recognized the device in the hyena’s hand. A tracking chip. His mind raced, piecing together the sinister puzzle. This wasn’t just about him. It was about his entire pack.

The hyena wanted to lure Matias and the others into a trap, using Santiago as bait.

“Not a chance in hell,” Santiago snarled, his canines elongating, his claws extending. “I won’t let you hurt them.”

The hyena tsked, shaking his head. “You don’t have a choice, wolf.” He nodded toward the cell door. “Cooperate or—”

A deep, menacing growl echoed through the hallway. Matias rounded the corner, his eyes glowing a fierce amber as he fixed his gaze on the hyena.

“Step away from my enforcer.” Matias didn’t raise his voice, but the rumble of warning was clear as thunder. Santiago had never been happier to see his alpha. He would’ve kissed the guy, if the gesture wouldn’t have gotten him knocked on his ass by either Matias himself or Elijah.

“Wanted to put a tracker on me.” Santiago crossed his arms. “I think this is Rico. He said he couldn’t wait to meet the infamous Matias Salvador.”

Matias’s gaze swept over the hyena, the air around him pulsing with restrained fury. The hyena’s expression twisted, equal parts displeasure and quiet amusement. “Ask and you shall receive. Not quite what I pictured.”

Ignoring him, Matias struck the floor with his boots, each step daring anyone to interrupt. He stepped into Santiago’s line of sight and locked eyes with him. “You good?”

“Be even better if I can get out of this cage,” Santiago muttered, brushing a hand over his jeans like he hadn’t just been gearing up to murder someone a minute ago. The hyenas thought they’d found a crack in the armor, but all they’d done was remind the wolves why the armor was there.

Footsteps echoed down the hallway. Santiago didn’t need to look to know it was Gilmore.

“I take it you’re here to escalate things,” the deputy drawled as he came into view, his gaze flicking between Matias and the hyena, who stood off to the side, studying Matias.

“No,” Matias said, voice calm but razor sharp. “I’m here to pick up Santiago.”

“I doubt that.” Gilmore hooked his thumbs into his utility belt, rocking slightly on his heels. “He’s facing charges—”

The deputy stopped mid-sentence when Matias raised a finger and began texting on his phone.

The hyena silently watched, smirking and shaking his head as if Gilmore was an idiot for allowing Matias to take control.

“Now hold on a damn minute,” Gilmore said, his words laced with false confidence.

The look Matias gave the deputy could have frozen the depths of hell.

Gilmore visibly flinched as footsteps approached. Jacob Weaver walked around the corner, still nursing a bruised face, eyes avoiding everyone else’s.

“Mr. Weaver has something to say,” Matias said.

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