Chapter 3

Rowan

After my encounter with the alpha from the Nightshade Wolves, I felt a sense of dread settle over me like a heavy blanket. I didn't think it was going to be any different. I knew that I was going to keep thinking about how shitty my life was. I was supposed to be happy, but I wasn't. How could I be, anyway?

One month. That was all the time I had been given to come up with the money I owed, and it wasn't nearly enough. That was crazy. How could he think that it was enough time? I supposed that I should be happy that at least I got some time to try, but at the end of the day, I couldn't make miracles.

As I sat in my car, my mind raced, frantically searching for a solution. And yet, I couldn't find any. There just wasn't.

My thoughts turned to my sister, Lily. She was the only family I had left, and we had always looked out for each other. But Lily had her own demons, and I feared that her addiction to drugs had consumed her entirely.

I didn't know if maybe I was making a mistake, but at this point, I couldn't change my mind about it. I had to do what I was going to do or else I would feel much worse.

I needed to find her, to tell her about the danger I was in, and perhaps, just perhaps, she could help me. Did I think she really could? No, but I was desperate. I could try almost anything.

With a heavy sigh, I started my car and made my way to the last place I knew she had been staying. The information wasn't very recent, but it was all I had. Otherwise, where would I look? Nowhere.

From what I knew, she was in a dilapidated house on the outskirts of town, a place where addicts and outcasts gathered to try not to think about their shitty lives. It probably didn't work, but it didn't mean they were going to give up.

The house was run-down, the windows boarded up, and the front yard was nothing but dead grass and discarded needles. Jeez. I didn't even like to think about what she was probably injecting into her veins. It had to be something that made her feel worse and not better. But, that was being addicted to drugs.

As I stepped out of my car, the stench of rotting garbage and urine assaulted my nostrils. I covered my mouth and nose with my sleeve, trying to block out the putrid smell as I made my way up the cracked walkway. Did it work? Not really, but it was better than nothing. I wished I couldn't smell anything.

The front door hung loosely on its hinges, creaking eerily as I pushed it open. It was almost as though it could fall to the floor if it were used a couple more times. I was hoping that wasn't going to happen while I was here.

"Lily?" I called out, my voice echoing in the dimly lit hallway. "Are you here? It's me, Rowan, your brother and friend. I hope everything is okay with you."

The house was eerily quiet, the only sound the soft creak of floorboards under my feet. I made my way through the cluttered rooms, my heart sinking with each step.

There was no one. I couldn't see anyone. What the fuck? I thought I was going to see someone at least, but the place was empty.

The house was a mess, with dirty needles and empty bottles littering every surface. How could anyone live in a place like this? Maybe I was just too accustomed to living in better places, but I really couldn't imagine myself spending more than an hour here.

I feared the worst as I called out for my sister, my voice cracking with desperation. I was a very logical guy. Could anything good have happened to her? I didn't think so.

As I turned a corner, my heart froze at the sight before me. A figure, hooded and cloaked in shadows, stood in the doorway, blocking my path. It was like he had been waiting for me.

In his hand was a knife, glinting menacingly in the faint light. His intention was clear. He wanted to kill me.

"Who are you?" I stammered, my heart pounding in my chest. I thought I couldn't feel so much fear again. "What do you want? Don't come any closer or else—"

The figure took a step forward, his hood falling slightly, revealing a pair of cold, dead eyes. No matter what I said, he wasn't interested in hearing it.

"You don't belong here, pretty omega," the figure hissed, his voice like ice. "You must have a death wish, coming here."

I backed away, my heart hammering in my chest. No matter how far away I moved, I knew it wasn't going to be enough.

"I'm just looking for my sister," I said, my voice shaking. I didn't know if explaining why I was here was good enough. He didn't look like the kind of person who cared. "Please, I mean you no harm. I didn't come here because of you."

The figure advanced, his knife raised, the metal reflecting the faint light, sending shards of light in every direction. I backed away, but again, there wasn't much space behind me.

"I have no idea who you are talking about," he snarled. "Regardless, I didn't come here for her. I came here for you."

My breath quickened as I realized I had nowhere to run. The figure was between me and the exit, and I was trapped in this house of horrors. I searched frantically for a weapon, my eyes falling on a broken piece of wood nearby. This was my chance. It had to be it.

I lunged for it, my heart pounding, and brandished it like a sword, trying to keep the figure at bay. Maybe it was a mistake, but it was too late to think about that right now anyway.

"Stay back!" I shouted, my voice cracking. "I don't want to hurt you, but I will if I have to! I don't run away from what I have to do."

The figure lunged, his knife slicing through the air, and I swung the wooden plank with all my might. There was a sickening thud as the wood connected with the figure's arm, causing him to drop the knife with a cry of pain.

I did it! I didn't think I was going to be able to do that, but I did it.

Just then, the front door burst open, and in strode the alpha from the Nightshade Wolves. His presence filled the room, and his eyes narrowed at the sight before him. Wait, what was he doing here? Did he come here to try to kill me as well?

With a swiftness that startled me, he moved toward the hooded figure, his movements graceful yet deadly. He knew what he was doing before he stormed inside.

"Get out of here, Rowan," he growled, his eyes never leaving the intruder. "If someone is going to kill you, it has to be me."

I hesitated, my heart torn between fear and curiosity. But as the alpha lunged, hitting the threat with a swift movement, I knew I had to trust him. I thought I would never trust him, but here I was. He was the only one who could protect me.

I backed away, my eyes glued to the scene unfolding before me. I couldn't even blink.

The alpha was a force to be reckoned with, his every move calculated and powerful. As much as I didn't want to think this, he made me feel safe, despite the situation I was in.

He knocked the figure to the ground with one blow, and in an instant, he had a knee pressed against his chest, a menacing snarl on his lips. He was dangerous. I knew that, if he wanted to kill me, I wouldn't stand a chance.

"Who are you?" He demanded, his voice like thunder. "And why are you after this omega?"

The figure, now revealed to be a young man, spat at the alpha's feet, his eyes flashing with hatred. "You'll never know," he hissed. "But just know that your protection won't last, alpha. You might think that the Nightshade Wolves care about what you want, but they don't."

The alpha's eyes narrowed, and he pressed his knee harder against the man's chest, eliciting a pained grunt. "Who sent you?" He growled, his voice dangerous. I knew he wasn't going to give up. This would only stop after he got the information he wanted. "Was it the boss? Did he send you to collect from Rowan?" He inhaled. "But why would he do that, anyway?"

The man said nothing, his lips pressed into a defiant line. The alpha's eyes flicked to me, a silent command for me to wait outside. Given what was happening, I would do anything he wanted me to do.

With a nod, I backed away, my heart still pounding, and stepped out into the hallway, my ears straining to hear what was happening inside. I had to know. Even though I didn't want to think this, I wanted to make sure that the alpha was going to be okay.

A few moments later, the alpha emerged, his eyes dark and troubled. What happened? Did he kill the person who was trying to hurt me?

"That man works for the boss," he said, his voice grim. "It seems your debt has escalated, Rowan. Vincent wants his money now, and he's not willing to wait. There is not much I can do." He exhaled. "To be honest, I don't even know why I'm protecting you. I should kill you right now."

My heart sank as the reality of my situation hit me. "What do I do?" I whispered, my voice small. "I don't have the money, and now they're coming after me. I thought we had a deal."

The alpha's eyes softened, and he placed a gentle hand on my shoulder. "You'll come with me," he said, his voice firm. Uhh, what? Why would I go with him? But then, I remembered that there was nowhere else for me to go. Not even the condominium where I lived could keep me safe. You'll be safe with me, at least for a while. We'll figure out a way to buy you more time." He exhaled. "The boss can be a little dramatic sometimes. I just need to talk to him."

I didn't know why he was pretending that all this wasn't a big deal. It was. He just went against his boss's wish to kill me and he wasn't worried? For all we knew, his boss could deliver the order to kill him too.

I searched the alpha's eyes, my heart torn between fear and gratitude. This alpha, this stranger, was offering me protection, a chance to hide from the cartel until we could find another solution.

But I was going to hide from the cartel by being with a cartel member. Was that going to work? I didn't think so.

"Please," he said, his voice gentle but commanding. "Trust me, Rowan. I won't let anyone hurt you while you're under my protection."

Again, why was he protecting me? It really didn't make any sense.

I hesitated, my heart pounding in my chest. I knew nothing about this alpha, not even his name, yet I found myself placing my trust in him. With a shaky breath, I nodded, my eyes never leaving his.

After all, what else could I do? I couldn't think of anything good.

Not to mention, what about my sister? Was she even still alive?

He led me out of that wretched house, away from the darkness and toward the promise of safety. Or, as I was thinking, as safe as I could be.

As we drove into the city, the lights of downtown twinkling in the distance, I felt a sense of relief wash over me. For now, I was okay.

Perhaps this alpha, whoever he was, could protect me from the cartel and give me the time I needed to pay my debt. Maybe he was only interested in the money, but at least he was doing better than his boss.

Though, as we pulled up to a sleek, modern apartment building, my heart still raced with uncertainty. I knew nothing about this alpha, and now I was putting my life in his hands. So many things could go wrong and I didn't have any control over them.

"We're here," he said, his voice soft as he guided me out of the car. "No one will find you here, Rowan. You're safe now. As long as I'm around, you don't have anything to worry about."

Safe. The word echoed in my mind as we stepped into the lobby of his apartment building. It was a foreign concept after receiving the letter.

As we stepped into the elevator, the doors closing behind us, I turned to him, my eyes searching his intense gaze. "Thank you," I whispered. "For doing this. You didn't have to. In fact, it would have been easier to kill me, but you still decided to do the right thing "

He met my gaze, his eyes softening, and for a moment, something unspoken passed between us. What could it be? I didn't want to think it was something I should really know, but I was hopeful he was better than who I thought he was.

"You're welcome, Rowan, I suppose," he said, chuckling. Was he finding all of this funny? Because it sure as hell wasn't from my point of view. "But we're not out of the woods yet. For now, just know that you're safe here. Later, I'll do what needs to be done."

And I hoped he wasn't going to put himself in more danger than he already was. If he died, nobody would protect me.

Safe. The word echoed in my mind as the elevator doors slid open, revealing a spacious apartment with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the glittering cityscape.

What a breathtaking view.