Chapter 13

Mateo

Under the cover of darkness, I crept without making much noise down the hallway leading to Santiago's private office. It was in his house, not in mine, of course. I had to be careful when coming here.

My footsteps were muffled by the plush carpeting, allowing me to approach undetected. I paused outside the door, listening for any signs of occupancy. There should be no one, according to my own information. I wouldn't have come here otherwise.

Hearing nothing, I carefully picked the lock and slipped inside, closing the door behind me with a soft click. So far, so good.

Moonlight filtering through the curtains cast an ethereal glow across the room, illuminating the desk where Santiago spent countless hours scheming and manipulating. Maybe he'd been manipulating me too? I was going to find out soon enough.

I wasted no time setting up the bugging devices, placing miniature cameras and microphones in strategic locations to capture audio and visual data. Santiago wasn't stupid, but he would never suspect I would consider doing this.

As I worked, my mind raced with thoughts of Santiago's potential betrayal. The very idea that my most trusted advisor could turn against me and threaten the man I loved most filled me with a cocktail of anger and despair. How could someone I considered a friend for so long harbor such deceit? I wished I was questioning him right now about that.

With the devices in place, I began a meticulous search of the office, rifling through drawers and cabinets in search of anything incriminating. To my disappointment, I found nothing out of the ordinary — just mundane paperwork related to cartel business.

I was about to give up when a creak sounded from the direction of the door. Freezing, I held my breath, praying it was just the building settling. But then the handle began to turn, and I knew I had mere seconds before discovery.

I was counting on no one coming inside, but I knew I would be lucky if nobody came.

Heart pounding, I dove under the desk just as the door swung open. I looked ridiculous doing this, but brushed the thought aside for now.

Peeking through the gap between the legs of the chair, I spotted Santiago's shoes entering the room. He moved towards the desk, humming softly to himself. He was enjoying himself, most likely thinking he was untouchable.

This was it. If he noticed anything amiss, he would raise the alarm, and everything would be lost. Even then, though, I'd still have the upper hand. I just didn't want it to come to that.

Sweat beaded on my brow as I strained to hear his movements over the pounding of blood in my ears. I was nervous. Never in my life did I think I would have to do this. I didn't trust anyone else to handle it for me.

Santiago circled the desk, coming closer to my hiding spot with each step. I shrank back, praying the shadows would conceal me. Just as he reached to sit in his chair, a floorboard beneath my foot creaked in the silence. The noise was too loud.

Time seemed to slow as Santiago's head swiveled in my direction. Still, he didn't see me. Thank goodness he didn't. The shadows kept me hidden.

I released the breath I'd been holding, dizzy with the rush of adrenaline. That had been too close. One wrong move and everything would've been over. As he began flipping through papers on his desk, I silently vowed to redouble my efforts in uncovering his plots.

I remained motionless beneath the desk for what felt like an eternity, scarcely daring to breathe as I listened to the sounds of Santiago moving around the office. Was he not going to leave soon? I asked myself.

Papers rustled, drawers opened and closed — the everyday noises of someone settled into their work. It seemed he was going to stay there for longer than I thought — not a good sign at all.

Minutes ticked by with agonizing slowness. Each passing second stretched taut with tension, my muscles cramping from prolonged immobility. Sweat dampened my skin, stinging my eyes. The urge to shift position grew stronger with every passing moment, but I dared not risk giving away my hiding spot. After doing everything right, I couldn't let him see me.

Just when I began to fear Santiago might settle in for the night — would he really sleep in his own office? — his chair creaked as he rose to his feet. I tensed, heart hammering against my ribcage as I braced for discovery. With some luck, though, he wasn't going to find me.

Instead of moving towards my location, Santiago strode to the door."Damned back pain,"he muttered, voice laced with irritation."All this sitting around is killing me." In other circumstances, I would be sympathizing with him right now.

Relief crashed over me as I realized he meant to leave. Counting off the seconds in my head, I waited until the outer office door clicked shut before extricating myself from my hiding place.

Rising to my feet, I stretched my aching limbs, working out the kinks. My gaze fell upon the bugging equipment, satisfaction swelling in my chest. With any luck, those devices would yield invaluable intelligence on Santiago's machinations, if there were any.

I quickly checked to ensure everything was functioning properly before making my way to the window. Peering through a crack in the curtains, I spied Santiago's silhouette climbing into his waiting vehicle parked outside. It appeared he was going somewhere. I didn't know where, but wished I did.

Timing my exit, I slipped out the same door mere moments after he drove away. My own car was parked down the block, concealed by the night's darkness.

Hurrying forward, I slid behind the wheel and cranked the ignition. The engine roared to life, ready for action. I needed to get home posthaste to start monitoring the feed from the bugs.

As I pulled away from the curb, my thoughts raced ahead to the potential revelations to come. Was Santiago really hiding something from me? If he was, what could it be?

Lost in thought as I navigated the darkened streets, the sudden blare of a horn jolted me back to reality. Swerving sharply, I almost didn't avoid colliding with an oncoming vehicle. Heart pounding, I righted the wheel and glanced up to find none other than Santiago glaring at me from the driver's seat of his SUV. Did he do that on purpose?

Cursing under my breath, I rolled down my window as he brought his vehicle alongside mine.What did he want right now?

"Watch where you're going!"He snapped, scowling fiercely. His eyes narrowed as recognition dawned, but maybe he said that even after knowing that it was me."Mateo? What are you doing out so late?"

Think fast."Oh, hey Santi,"I replied, forcing a grin. I didn't think I was going to see him so soon."Just heading home from a meeting downtown. You know how it is."Inside, I couldn't help but feel a slight panic. Had he seen something suspicious? No, he probably didn't.

He studied me intently for a long moment, searching my face for any hint of deceit. When no such evidence presented itself, his expression softened somewhat."A meeting, huh? At this hour?"He arched a skeptical eyebrow."Must have been pretty important business."

"Nothing you need worry about,"I deflected."Just some routine cartel matters that couldn't wait."I hoped he wouldn't press further. The less said about my activities tonight, the better.

Fortunately, he seemed to accept my explanation, if reluctantly. Shrugging, he waved his hand."Whatever you say, boss. Guess I'll let you get back to your omega."A knowing smirk tugged at his lips."Wouldn't want to keep Kael waiting too long now, would we?"

I bristled inwardly at the jab aimed at my relationship with Kael. Did he know something I didn't? No, he probably didn't.

Forcing another smile, I raised my hand in a mock salute."You got it, Santi. Better get home before he sends out a search party."

Chuckling darkly, Santiago nodded."Catch you tomorrow, boss man."And with that, he gunned his engine and sped off into the night.

Watching him go, I exhaled, shoulders sagging with relief. That had been far too close for comfort. If he'd noticed anything amiss or put together the pieces, who knows what chaos could've ensued.

Over the following days, I kept a close eye on the surveillance footage and audio recordings from the bugs I'd planted in Santiago's office. The information gathered proved invaluable in exposing his true colors. The risk I took was worth it.

Transcripts of his conversations with unknown associates revealed detailed plans to undermine my authority and seize control of the Nightshade Wolves for himself. He even went so far as to discuss eliminating Kael as a threat to his ambitions, viewing my fated mate as a weakness to be exploited.

Each revelation struck like a dagger in my heart. The depth of Santiago's betrayal knew no bounds. To think I once considered him a loyal friend and confidant... It made me sick to my stomach.

But even worse were the incriminating emails recovered from his computer, detailing his collusion with Mr. Novak in plotting against the cartel. It turned out he was working with Santiago and Kael, though in Kael's case, he was likely being coerced into his actions.

Together — Santiago and Mr. Novak — schemed to orchestrate a series of attacks designed to weaken our operations and pave the way for a hostile takeover. It wasn't going to happen anymore, though.

The sheer audacity of their plan left me reeling. For Santiago to work with my enemy behind my back, to jeopardize everything I'd built... It defied belief. And yet, the evidence was irrefutable. I couldn't help but wonder how he could even look at himself in the mirror. Perhaps, he hadn't been doing that much recently.

As I pored over the evidence, one question dominated my thoughts: How could I have been so blind? So naive in trusting someone who clearly harbored such malicious intent?

The answers eluded me. Maybe I had simply allowed myself to see what I wanted to see, refusing to acknowledge the warning signs until it was too late. Or perhaps Santiago had become a master manipulator over the years, concealing his true nature behind a mask of loyalty and friendship.

Regardless of the reasons, one thing became crystal clear — Santiago posed an existential threat to the Nightshade Wolves and everything we stood for. His actions could not go unanswered. They weren't going to.

I had to act swiftly and decisively to neutralize the danger he represented. But I also needed to protect Kael at all costs. With Santiago gunning for my fated mate, I couldn't afford to let my guard down for even a moment.

It was time to put an end to this treachery once and for all. Santiago would pay dearly for his treachery, and I would stop at nothing to ensure Kael's safety. My love for him demanded nothing less.

A few days later, just as I was putting the finishing touches on my plan to eliminate Santiago and rescue Kael from Mr. Novak's clutches, my phone rang. Glancing at the caller ID, I tensed when I saw it was Javier calling. Something must be wrong for him to contact me like this.

"Javier,"I answered sharply, putting the device on speaker."What is it?"

"Boss," he began, his voice tight with urgency. "Kael has been taken. We just received word that Mr. Novak and a group of armed men abducted him while he was out shopping."

Ice-cold fear gripped my heart at his words."Taken? With whose help?"I demanded, even though I already knew the answer.

"Santiago, boss,"Javier confirmed."They're working together against us. What do you want us to do? Santiago is a traitor."

My mind raced, piecing together the implications of this new development. Santiago's involvement changed everything. I already knew he was a traitor, but I never thought he would expose himself like that. Maybe he already realized I knew.

He had been working with Mr. Novak all along, likely using his position within the cartel to facilitate Kael's abduction.

"I'm on my way,"I barked, already moving towards the door."Rally the men. We'll meet at the warehouse to discuss our next move."

Ending the call, I grabbed my weapon and sprinted for the garage, heart pounding with dread and rage. They had Kael. My fated mate, the man I loved more than life itself, was in the hands of my enemies because of Santiago's treachery.

As I sped through the night-shrouded streets, my thoughts swirled with dark possibilities. What did they want with Kael? Was he simply a pawn in their game, or did they intend to use him as leverage against me?

I couldn't bear the thought of anything happening to him. The very idea of losing him was unthinkable. I had to get him back safely, no matter the cost.

When I arrived at the rendezvous point, I found Javier and the others already assembled, weapons drawn and faces grim. This was going to be dangerous. It was likely going to draw the attention of the authorities, but I didn't care.

My men looked to me for guidance, for a plan of action. And I was going to give them one.

"We're going to war,"I declared, voice ringing with steely resolve."Santiago and Mr. Novak have declared themselves enemies of the Nightshade Wolves. They will pay dearly for their mistake."

Turning to Javier, I fixed him with a hard stare."Contact our informants. Find out where they're holding Kael. I want locations, numbers — everything we need to mount a successful rescue mission."

He nodded sharply, already reaching for his phone."I'm on it, boss."

As the men dispersed to carry out their assignments, I sank heavily into a chair, exhaling. The weight of responsibility pressed down upon me like a physical burden. I had failed Kael. I should have seen Santiago's betrayal coming, should have protected him better. Should have acted sooner.

But I would make things right. I would bring him home safely. No matter what it took, I would save my fated mate.