Chapter 11
Gali
The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows across the rocky path leading towards the distant town nestled along the coast. Beside me, Norri trudged along wearily, his arm linked with mine for support. Despite our best efforts to conserve energy, exhaustion gnawed at the edges of my consciousness, threatening to drag me under its seductive embrace.
I was especially more tired now after fucking him twice, but still wouldn't have it any other way.
We'd been walking for hours, ever since leaving our makeshift shelter atop the cliffs. Each step took us further away from the relative safety of the abandoned shack and closer to...what? A new beginning perhaps? Or another dead end? I didn't know, but we couldn’t stay in the same place for long.
As we approached the outskirts of the town, I scanned the streets warily, taking note of every potential threat lurking in the shadows. Here, tucked away from the mainland, it appeared to be little more than a glorified fishing village, reeking of poverty and desperation. Still, beggars can't be choosers, and we needed supplies if we were going to survive on the run much longer. We were trapped here for now.
Norri glanced up at me, eyes coated with concern as he sensed my unease. "What is it?" He asked quietly, voice barely audible over the distant cry of seagulls wheeling overhead.
I shook my head, offering him a reassuring smile that I hoped didn't look as forced as it felt. "Nothing," I replied gruffly. "Just...keeping an eye out." For now, I couldn't say exactly what I was thinking. Just didn't to worry him any more than he already was.
His gaze darted nervously towards the ramshackle buildings lining the street, fingers tightening around mine reflexively. He understood; we both did. Even here, surrounded by strangers in this godforsaken place, we weren't safe. Not truly. Not until El Lobo was dealt with permanently. I should have killed him when I had the chance.
Together, we ventured deeper into the heart of the town, weaving our way through narrow alleyways choked with refuse and past dilapidated dwellings teeming with humanity's cast-offs. Everywhere we looked, signs of decay and despair loomed large, yet there was something undeniably resilient about these people too. Something that spoke of survival, of perseverance in the face of adversity. It was somewhat inspiring.
Still, I couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't quite right. An itch prickled at the back of my neck, urging me to be wary, to stay alert. But of what, I couldn't say. Just a gut feeling, honed sharp by years spent navigating the treacherous waters of cartel politics.
A sudden commotion up ahead drew our attention, a group of rough-looking individuals spilling out onto the street ahead of us, brandishing weapons and shouting threats. My hand went instantly to the gun tucked discreetly at my side, ready to draw should the situation escalate.
"What do we do?" Norri asked, his voice barely a whisper now, eyes wide with fear. "Are they...?"
"Not yet," I murmured, pushing him slightly behind me protectively. "Stay close, okay?"
He nodded, pressing himself against my back, trusting me completely. That faith weighed heavily upon my shoulders, driving me forward even as doubts gnawed at the corners of my mind. What if I led us straight into danger? What if my instincts failed us when we needed them most?
As we neared the confrontation, it became clear that these men weren't part of the Nightshade Wolves — thankfully. No, they were just your average thugs looking for easy prey to rob. Easy pickings, really. And we fit the bill perfectly.
"Hey there!" One of them called out, stepping into our path with a sneer. "Got any money on ya? Maybe some fancy trinkets for sale?"
I could practically hear Norri's heart pounding behind me, his breath coming fast and shallow. But I remained calm, steady, letting my size and presence intimidate rather than resorting to violence unless absolutely necessary. Not here, not now. Norri was safe as long as he was with me.
"Afraid not," I replied coolly, meeting the man's gaze unflinchingly. "We're just passing through."
The thug scoffed and spat on the ground at our feet. "Passing through, huh? Well, ain't nobody just passes through without paying their respects first."
I bristled internally at the implied threat, but before I could respond, Norri stepped forward, his small frame trembling slightly beneath the scrutiny of our would-be assailants. To my shock and dismay, he reached into his pocket, pulling out a few crumpled bills. It was money we couldn't waste on scum like them.
"We don't want any trouble," he said softly, holding the money out towards the man. "Please, just let us go."
The thief snatched the proffered bills greedily, counting them quickly before tucking them away with a satisfied nod. Yet still, he didn't move aside, blocking our path like an immovable obstacle.
"And what about him?" He demanded suddenly, eyes gleaming with renewed interest as they raked over Norri's slight form. My stomach turned, nausea rising at the implication behind those words.
Before I could intervene, Norri reacted swiftly, lashing out with a swift kick aimed squarely at the man's groin. The force behind it caught him off guard, sending him collapsing to the ground with a pained howl. His friends rushed forward then, enraged by their leader's humiliation, but I was already moving, drawing my weapon and firing two quick shots into the air above their heads.
They froze mid-stride, startled by the unexpected display of aggression, giving me the opening I needed to grab Norri's arm and drag him past their fallen comrade. We sprinted down the nearest alleyway, hearts pounding wildly, and breaths ragged from exertion and fear.
Once safely hidden within the labyrinthine maze of streets beyond, I pulled us both up short, leaning against the wall beside a rotting doorway while I scanned the area for signs of pursuit. Nothing yet, but that didn't mean they wouldn't follow soon enough.
"We need to keep moving," I muttered, pushing off from the wall and setting a brisk pace once more. "Fast as possible."
Norri nodded mutely, falling into step beside me, though his face had paled significantly following our brush with danger. I felt a swell of pride knowing he hadn't cowered or faltered under pressure — not much more than he did when giving those assholes our money. My omega was strong — stronger than perhaps even he realized.
After what felt like hours of wandering aimlessly, we finally stumbled upon a small market tucked away behind a weathered stone church. Here, amidst the stalls overflowing with produce and knickknacks alike, hope stirred within me. Hope that maybe, just maybe, we could find what we needed without attracting further unwanted attention.
As we navigated the crowded aisles, I kept one eye trained warily on our surroundings, ever-vigilant for signs of danger lurking nearby. Meanwhile, Norri set about gathering whatever supplies he could lay his hands on — food, water, medical necessities — stacking them precariously in his arms as he went.
Once we'd acquired everything we deemed necessary, I steered us towards a quieter corner of the marketplace, where a lone woman sat selling homemade candles and trinkets alongside a handful of worn books. She looked up as we approached, her gaze flicking between us with curiosity.
"What can I do you fine young gentlemen for today?" She asked, smiling warmly despite the obvious hardship etched onto her weathered features.
I glanced around quickly, ensuring no one else was within earshot before speaking quietly. "We need information," I said, keeping my voice low. "About the Nightshade Wolves. Do you know anything about them?" I just wanted to know if she knew where they were.
Her expression changed instantly, eyes widening slightly as she took in my appearance more closely. I knew I ran the risk of revealing too much by asking outright, but desperate times called for desperate measures. Besides, we couldn't keep running forever; eventually, we'd have to face the music.
"I...I've heard rumors," she hedged cautiously, glancing around herself now. "But nothing concrete. Why do you ask?"
Norri shifted uncomfortably beside me, sensing the growing tension. He didn't want to know if the Nightshade Wolves were close or not.
"My business is my own," I snapped sharply, my patience wearing thin. Time was ticking, and we didn't have all day to waste playing cat-and-mouse games. "What I need from you is answers. Can you provide them?"
She hesitated briefly before sighing deeply, resignation filling her eyes. "Very well," she conceded, lowering her voice even further. "There are rumors among the locals about a powerful gang operating somewhere close by. Some say they deal in drugs, others weapons. All agree they aren't to be trifled with."
"Where are they right now?" I pressed, needing more than vague hints and innuendo.
Again, she hesitated, chewing her lip thoughtfully before finally relenting. "Rumor has it, there's an old building across the river. That's where they must be." Her gaze darted nervously towards something — someone — over my shoulder, eyes widening in alarm. "You should leave now," she urged. "T-They're coming."
My blood ran cold at the warning, instincts screaming at me to run, to get out while we still could. Spinning around, I spotted several heavily armed men approaching rapidly, led by none other than El Lobo himself. How he'd tracked us here, I didn't know, but it hardly mattered anymore. All that mattered was escape.
Grabbing Norri's hand, I dragged him away from the stall, breaking into a run as shouts rang out behind us. They'd seen us, recognized us. Our brief respite was over.
With every stride, we raced against time, dodging through crowded streets and alleys alike, hearts hammering wildly in our chests. Each step brought us closer to safety, closer to freedom. Yet each moment also carried with it the very real possibility of capture, of failure.
Suddenly, a shot rang out, echoing loudly through the narrow confines of the street, kicking up dirt mere inches from our heels. We ducked instinctively, nearly colliding with a passing pedestrian before righting ourselves and redoubling our efforts.
"Keep going!" I yelled over my shoulder, urging Norri on even as my heart shattered seeing the fear in his eyes. But there was no choice; we had to push forward, no matter the cost.
Another shot fired, striking true this time — not at us, thankfully, but at something else. Something metallic clattered loudly against the cobblestones ahead, skidding towards us ominously. A grenade. Fuck!
"Get down!" I screamed, throwing myself atop Norri just as the explosive device detonated, sending shrapnel flying in all directions. Debris pelted us mercilessly, cutting and burning as we huddled together beneath its deadly rain.
When the dust settled enough for me to peek out again, I found our pursuers closing fast, weapons drawn, faces twisted with rage. They weren't giving up anytime soon, that was clear. We needed a plan B, fast.
"We need to lose them," I growled, pulling Norri up roughly, and scanning frantically for some means of escape. Then, spotting an opening between two crumbling buildings up ahead, inspiration struck.
"Come on," I commanded, dragging him along after me once more. "Now!"
Darting down the alleyway, we burst forth onto another street, only to find ourselves staring straight down the barrels of yet more guns wielded by yet more enemies. Dammit! It seemed everywhere we turned, there they were, ready and waiting.
Except...there was something different this time. The men blocking our path wore uniforms unlike any we'd seen before. Coast Guard? Army maybe? Whoever they were, their presence threw a wrench into the works, forcing both sides to reevaluate their strategies. The Nightshade Wolves weren't alone.
As if on cue, a loudspeaker blared suddenly, ordering everyone present to stand down immediately or face severe consequences. Confusion reigned supreme as both parties exchanged wary glances, trying to decipher the sudden change in dynamics.
Seizing the opportunity presented, I grabbed hold of Norri, tugging him close as I slipped silently behind one of the uniformed men now standing between us and certain capture. He never saw it coming.
Inch by inch, we edged past unnoticed, using the chaos around us as cover. It was risky, reckless even, but desperation breeds courage.
Finally, after what felt like hours, we appeared to have gotten out of the danger, stumbling out onto the beach beyond where a small fishing boat bobbed gently on the waves. No one followed us, too preoccupied with their newfound adversaries.
Collapsing onto the sand, I pulled Norri close, wrapping him tightly in my arms as relief flooded through me like a tidal wave. We'd made it. For now, anyway.
But even as I held him close, I knew this reprieve wouldn't last forever. Eventually, El Lobo would catch wind of our daring escape, rally his forces, and come after us again with renewed vigor. Until then, however, we'd rest, gather our strength, prepare for whatever lay ahead.
For now, we had food, water, and each other. That would be enough. It had to be.