Chapter 14

Kael

The room spun as I slowly regained consciousness, my head throbbing with pain. Blinking against the harsh fluorescent lights overhead, my vision gradually cleared, revealing the stark concrete walls of an unfamiliar space. Where was I? I didn't know. Not yet.

Memories of my abduction came rushing back — the sudden appearance of masked men, the sting of a needle pricking my arm, the world fading to black. Mr. Novak's face loomed over me, sneering with triumph. He had me now even more than before, his prize in the ongoing game of cat and mouse.

Raising my head proved a monumental effort, muscles weak and unresponsive. I lay bound to a metal chair, arms wrenched behind my back, ankles secured to the legs. The cold bite of rope dug into my skin, chafing with every movement.

"Ah, the sleeping beauty awakens!"A familiar voice drawled from the shadows. My stomach clenched with dread as Mr. Novak stepped into the light, a wicked grin playing across his face.I thought I had been doing everything he wanted. I didn't know why he kidnapped me. "I was starting to think you might sleep through the whole show."

Fear coiled tightly around my throat, making it difficult to breathe. How had he found me? What did he want?

"Let me go,"I croaked, voice hoarse from disuse."This has nothing to do with me."

Mr. Novak threw back his head and laughed, the sound echoing off the bare walls."Oh, but it does, my dear boy. You see, your beloved Mateo has something I want. And you're going to help me get it."

Before I could question his meaning, the door burst open with a resounding crash. Armed figures swarmed into the room, weapons trained on Mr. Novak. In the lead stood none other than Mateo, eyes blazing with fury as they locked onto his captive. Him showing up here all of a sudden impressed me. I thought it was going to take him a lot more time.

"Kael!"He roared, surging forward only to be brought up short by the gun pressed to my temple. One wrong move and...

"Stop right there,"Mr. Novak warned, tightening his grip on me. He never expected Mateo to find him so soon."One more step and the boy dies."

Time seemed to slow as the two men faced off, tension crackling between them. Mateo's jaw clenched, hand flexing around his weapon. He was torn between saving me and taking out his enemy.

In that moment, I knew he would choose me. Always. No matter the cost.

"Let him go, Novak,"Mateo growled, low and dangerous."You won't walk out of here alive if you don't."

Mr. Novak scoffed, pressing the muzzle harder against my skull."You're in no position to make demands, wolf. I have all the cards here."

But even as he spoke, doubt flickered across his features. His gaze darted to the armed men surrounding us, assessing his chances. They were not good.

As Mr. Novak hesitated, uncertainty written plainly on his face, the door slammed open once again. Every head swiveled towards the intrusion, weapons raising.

To everyone's shock, Santiago strode into the room, hands held aloft in mock surrender. Despite what was happening, he still felt he was in control.

His eyes glittered with dark amusement as he surveyed the scene before him.

"What's all this commotion about?"He inquired, tone light despite the gravity of the situation."Can't a man get some peace around here?"

Mateo's expression darkened, finger tightening on his trigger."Santiago,"he spat."What the hell are you doing here?"

The traitorous advisor smirked, lowering his hands."Why, rescuing you from this predicament, of course."He gestured with his hand."Or hadn't you noticed?"

Confusion rippled through the assembled men. Rescue? More likely he was working with Mr. Novak against us all along. I knew he was.

"No more games,"I snapped, straining against my bonds."Tell us what you want."

Santiago tsked, shaking his head."So suspicious, little omega. I'm hurt."He turned his attention to Mr. Novak then, grin widening."As for what I want... Well, I've grown tired of playing second fiddle to Mateo's whims."

He began to circle the room like a shark scenting blood, each measured step bringing him closer to where I remained trapped.

"I've done everything for this cartel — bled, sacrificed, schemed. And for what?"Bitterness tinged his words."To be cast aside when a pretty young thing catches Mateo's eye? I think not!" Wait, was he jealous of me? It couldn't be.

Mr. Novak's brow furrowed, but he kept his gun trained steadily on its target."So, it really is that simple?"

"Believe what you will,"Santiago shrugged."But the fact remains — Mateo has grown soft, distracted. The Nightshade Wolves need a strong hand at the helm, one willing to do whatever it takes to secure our future."

His gaze flicked to me."And that man is not your boyfriend."

Anger ignited in Mateo's eyes, a snarl tearing from his throat. In one fluid motion, he raised his weapon, finger tightening on the trigger. He might be making a mistake.

"Traitor!"He roared."After everything I've done for you!" I had never seen him so angry.

But before he could fire, Mr. Novak shoved me bodily away, putting me between them like a human shield. Santiago took advantage of the distraction, whipping out his pistol.

Chaos erupted as shots rang out, bullets ricocheting off the concrete. I threw myself to the side, trying to clear a path to safety. Pain lanced through my shoulder, hot and searing. I'd been hit!

Through the haze of agony, I glimpsed Mateo leaping over cover, bearing down on Santiago. The traitor swung with his stolen gun, buying himself precious seconds.

"Foolish boy!"He taunted, dodging another swipe."Did you really think it was going to be so easy to kill me?"

He lashed out with a wicked grin, catching Mateo across the jaw with the butt of his pistol. Blood spurted from Mateo's split lip, but he barely seemed to notice.

With a roar of fury, Mateo charged forward, grappling for control of the weapon. They crashed together in a tangle of limbs, struggling for dominance.

Mr. Novak used the diversion to slip away, vanishing into the shadows. I tried to call out a warning, but my throat closed up, choking on a groan of pain. We would have to get him later.

The two men rolled across the floor, trading blows with ruthless efficiency. Even wounded, they were evenly matched, neither able to gain a decisive advantage.

Desperation clawed at my insides as I watched from where I was. I had to do something! But what?

Santiago managed to reverse their positions, pinning Mateo beneath him. He raised his gun hand high, finger tightening on the trigger...

BANG!

A single shot rang out, punching a hole through Santiago's chest. His eyes widened in shock even as life fled his body in a rush. He slumped forward, collapsing across Mateo's torso.

I looked up to see Javier standing nearby, smoking gun still raised. He'd taken the shot. Saved us all.

My heart raced as I watched the scene unfold before me, scarcely daring to breathe. The sight of Javier's gunshot ripping through Santiago's flesh filled me with both relief and horror. I wished he had never betrayed us.

Mateo shoved the traitor's corpse aside, surging to his feet with a disgusted grunt. Spitting on the fallen body, he glared down at his former advisor with unmasked contempt.

"You deserved far worse than that, you snake,"he growled, voice dripping with loathing."I trusted you, believed in you. And this is how you repaid my faith?"

I ached to go to him, offer comfort in the wake of such profound betrayal. But my injuries held me fast, the bullet wound in my shoulder throbbing in time with my racing pulse.

Javier approached with cautious steps, his weapon still drawn as he scanned the room for any further threats. "Boss, we need to get moving. Novak won't stay gone for long." During Santiago's confrontation with my alpha, his men had dealt with Mr. Novak's crew. They were all dead.

You're right," Mateo agreed, shaking off his anger with visible effort.

As Mateo cut away my restraints, I sagged forward, muscles quivering with relief. He caught me easily, supporting my weight against his solid frame.

"Are you alright?"He murmured, brushing a strand of hair from my face with surprising gentleness."Other than the wound?"

I managed a shaky nod, wincing at the movement. The injury throbbed insistently, but it wasn't life-threatening. Nothing compared to the overwhelming gratitude swelling in my chest at being rescued, safe in Mateo's arms once more.

"I'll live,"I replied, managing a weak smile."Thanks to you and Javier. I never thought that Javier would rescue me one day."

Mateo's expression softened, eyes roaming over me with concern."Let's get you checked out. We'll talk more when we're somewhere secure."

He helped me to my feet, keeping an arm wrapped tightly around my waist to steady me. My legs wobbled, still numb from the ropes binding them earlier. Together, we limped towards the door, each drawing strength from the other's presence.

In the parking lot outside, Mateo bundled me into the passenger seat of his car, careful not to jar my injured shoulder. I watched as he rounded the hood, movements stiff with tension and barely restrained rage. The loss of trust, the violation of our bond with someone so close — it would take time to heal from that wound.

As he slid behind the wheel, Javier approached from the direction of the building."No sign of Novak,"he reported grimly."But I doubt he'll stay hidden for long. Not after this."

"No,"Mateo agreed darkly, starting the engine."He'll be back, and next time, he won't have the element of surprise on his side."

They exchanged a meaningful look, communicating volumes without words. They would be ready for him.

While Mateo drove us to safety, his men set about cleaning up the scene of the confrontation. They worked quickly and efficiently, honed by years of experience handling delicate situations.

First, they dragged the bodies of Mr. Novak's fallen soldiers into a waiting van, stacking them like cordwood. Their faces were impassive, devoid of emotion. To them, these men were just obstacles to be disposed of, collateral damage in the now ongoing conflict against the Nightshade Wolves.

Next, they turned their attention to the growing pool of blood spreading across the concrete floor. Armed with mops and buckets, they scrubbed the stain until the only evidence of the violence that transpired was the lingering coppery scent tingeing the air. It wasn't going to stay there long.

As a final touch, they sprayed the walls down with industrial cleaner, erasing any trace of gunshot residue or other telltale signs of struggle. By the time they finished, the room looked as sterile as a hospital operating theater, devoid of character or history.

Only the faint odor of bleach remained, a pungent reminder of the gruesome task recently completed. Satisfied with their handiwork, the men gathered their supplies and exited the way they came, leaving the space pristine and empty.

Later, as we entered Mateo's mansion, I swayed on my feet, exhaustion and pain catching up to me. Mateo kept a supportive hand beneath my elbow, guiding me towards the bedroom.

Once inside, he gently eased me onto the edge of the bed, concern etched across his handsome features."I need to check your wound,"he murmured, reaching for a medical kit.

I nodded without saying anything, wincing as he carefully examined the bullet graze marring my shoulder. Though not life-threatening, it still hurt like hell. Any wound would.

As Mateo cleaned and bandaged the injury, his gaze strayed to my swollen abdomen. Realization dawned in his eyes, wonder mingling with trepidation.

"Look at you,"he breathed, splaying his hands over the slight dome of my belly."Still protecting our son."His voice cracked with emotion.

Pride swelled within me, even as worry clouded his expression. I knew he had doubts about his suitability as a father, given his lifestyle and the dangerous world he inhabited. But I believed in him, in us.

"You don't have to do this alone,"I reminded softly, covering his hands with mine."We're a team now, you and I. Whatever comes, we face it together."

He searched my face, searching for any hint of doubt. Finding none, he exhaled heavily, pressing a tender kiss to the curve of my stomach.

"I want to believe that,"he admitted."Want to be the man you deserve, the father our child deserves."Determination hardened his jaw."But first, I have to finish what I started. Make sure Novak pays for what he has done."

I shook my head vehemently, meeting his gaze dead-on."No, Mateo. You don't have to wait. You can leave now, today, if that's truly what you want."

He reared back as if slapped, incredulity widening his eyes."Just like that? Abandon everything I've built, all the people counting on me? It's just not possible."

"Yes!"I insisted, rising to my feet despite the pain lancing through my body."Because you're more than your title, your role. You're the man I love, the father of my child. That should be enough."

He stared at me for a long moment, emotions flickering rapidly across his face. Frustration, uncertainty, yearning...

We stood locked in a tense standoff, the weight of unspoken thoughts hanging heavily between us. As much as I wanted to keep pushing, to make him see reason, I knew it would accomplish little. This was an issue that required careful consideration, not impulsive decision-making in the heat of the moment.

Sighing, I reached out to take his hand in mine, giving it a gentle squeeze."We need rest,"I murmured, exhaustion weighing down my limbs."This conversation can wait until later."

Mateo hesitated briefly before nodding, allowing himself to be guided towards the bed. Together, we settled beneath the covers, bodies pressed close as if seeking reassurance in contact.