Chapter 17
Gali
The sun was warm on my back as I sat on the porch steps of our new home, Orion giggling and kicking his chubby legs in front of me. I tickled his tummy, making him laugh even harder, his little face scrunched up in joy. This was what life should be like — simple moments of happiness with the people we loved.
Most people thought that I couldn't enjoy having a simple life. They didn't understand me. This was what I'd always wanted.
All of a sudden, the sound of tires crunching on gravel reached my ears, pulling my attention away from my son. A sleek black car rolled up the driveway, coming to a halt beside the mailbox. My muscles tensed instantly, my hand going automatically to the gun tucked at my waistband under my shirt.
I thought that this moment would never come. I thought that I'd taken all the necessary precautions and that they were enough. But, they weren't.
The driver's door swung open and out stepped none other than El Lobo Negro himself. He was flanked by two of his men, their hands resting on the weapons holstered at their hips. My heart raced as I quickly scooped Orion up into my arms, turning my back to them to shield him from view.
I didn't want him to see them, or the other way around. I had to protect him, no matter what.
"Well, well, well,"El Lobo drawled, sauntering towards me with that infuriating smirk on his face."Look who decided to play house in the suburbs. Who would have thought?"
I stood up, my body rigid as I faced him, my son clutched tightly in my arms."What are you doing here?"I growled low in my throat."This isn't your territory."
El Lobo laughed, throwing back his head."You think you know everything, don't you? You think you can run off and hide from me, make deals behind my back, and I won't find out? You underestimated me."
My grip tightened around Orion, who whimpered softly at the sudden tension. I bounced him gently, trying to soothe him while keeping my eyes fixed on El Lobo. But, it wasn't enough.
"You're wrong,"I said coldly."I haven't made any deals behind your back. And this is not your territory. Not anymore."
El Lobo's smile faded, replaced by a dangerous glint in his eye."You're playing a dangerous game, Gali. You think you can just leave the Nightshade Wolves and start a new life? With my money?"
Marcus' money was actually his. Fuck.
I bristled at the accusation."Your money? That's rich coming from you. Besides, I earned every cent of that money. I did a job for Marcus, not for you."
I knew that was a lie, but it was all I had at the moment.
El Lobo took another step closer, his voice dropping to a low rumble."Marcus works for me. Everything he does is for me. And so do you."
I shook my head firmly."No. I'm done with all that. I have a family now. They're all that matters to me."
El Lobo sneered, leaning in close enough that I could smell the stale coffee on his breath."Family? Is that what you call it? Or is it more like a weakness? Something to use against you?"
I didn't take the bait, refusing to rise to his provocation."It doesn't matter what you call it. All that matters is that they're mine. And no one threatens my family. No one."
El Lobe chuckled darkly."Threaten? Oh, Gali, I'm not here to threaten your precious little family."He paused, letting the words sink in before continuing with relish."I'm here to destroy it."
Ice ran through my veins at the threat, but I kept my expression neutral, refusing to show him how much his words affected me."You'll never get near them,"I promised through gritted teeth.
El Lobo shrugged nonchalantly."We'll see about that. But first..."He leaned in closer, lowering his voice to a whisper."Let's talk about loyalty, sí? About what it really means to be part of the Nightshade Wolves."
I remained silent, waiting for him to continue.
He paced in front of me, his hands clasped behind his back like some sort of twisted tour guide."Loyalty means putting the pack above all else. It means being willing to make sacrifices for the good of the group. It means trusting those who lead you, following their orders without question."
I scoffed internally at that. Trust? After all the things El Lobo had done?
"Is that why you're here?"I asked bitterly."To lecture me on loyalty? To remind me of all the times I've been faithful to the Nightshade Wolves and it was all for nothing?"
El Lobo stopped pacing, turning to face me again. His expression turned serious, almost sad."No, Gali. I'm here because you betrayed us. Because you broke that sacred bond of trust between brothers in arms."
I opened my mouth to protest, but he cut me off with a sharp gesture.
"No,"he snapped."Don't bother denying it. I know what you did after escaping. You made a deal behind my back, with someone who has always been loyal to me. Someone who has bled for me, fought for me — just like you."He shook his head sadly."And then, when I needed you most, when our family needed you... you abandoned us for an omega worm."
His words hit home, striking something deep inside me. Guilt washed over me as I thought about all the times I had put myself before the cartel, before El Lobo. But I couldn't regret it — not when it meant keeping Norri and Orion safe.
"I did what I had to do,"I said finally, my voice steady despite the turmoil within me."I did what was necessary to protect my family."
El Lobo nodded slowly, as if expecting my response."Sí, yes, you did. But at what cost? You threw away your brotherhood, your heritage, all for some omega and his brat."
I bristled at his words, but before I could respond, he held up a hand, silencing me. I hated that.
"But let me tell you something, Gali,"he continued, his voice turning cold once more."Loyalty is a two-way street. It goes both ways. You might have broken yours, but so have I."
Confusion clouded my mind as I tried to decipher his meaning. What was he talking about?
"You see,"he explained, a cruel smile twisting his lips."When one breaks the bond of loyalty, it gives the other the right to do the same."
Realization dawned on me slowly, like a poison spreading through my veins. He was talking about Marcus. About the deal we had made.
"You hurt Marcus,"I whispered, anger boiling up inside me.
El Lobo laughed, clapping his hands together in mock applause."Bravo! You're catching on quickly today."
My hands clenched into fists, rage coursing through me. I wanted nothing more than to wrap my hands around his throat and squeeze until the life drained from his eyes.
But I couldn't. Not with Orion in my arms, not with El Lobo's men standing mere feet away, ready to intervene if necessary.
"So, you see,"El Lobo continued, his voice laced with malice."I can play this game too. I can break bonds just as easily as you can."
I struggled to maintain my composure, fighting to keep my emotions in check. If I lost control now, it would only make things worse.
"What do you want?"I growled low in my throat.
El Lobo smiled widely, like a predator scenting blood in the water."What do I want? Well, Gali, after everything you've put me through, I think it's only fair that I get something in return."
He reached out, placing a hand on my shoulder, squeezing hard enough to hurt. I stood frozen, unable to move with Orion in my arms.
"I want you to suffer,"he whispered, leaning in close."I want you to watch as everything you love is taken away from you. Just like you took everything from me."
Fear gripped my heart as I realized the true extent of his hatred towards me. This wasn't just about power or territory anymore — this was personal.
"And how exactly do you plan on doing that?"I challenged, my voice steadier than I felt.
El Lobo released his grip on my shoulder and stepped back, his gaze locked onto mine."Oh, Gali,"he said softly, almost sadly."You worked under me for a long time. You know what I'm capable of."
With that, he turned and strode back towards his car, his men falling into step beside him. As they climbed into the vehicle and drove away, I stood there, rooted to the spot, my heart pounding wildly in my chest.
This was far from over. El Lobo would stop at nothing to make me pay for my perceived betrayal. And now, with Marcus out of the picture, there was no one left to protect us. It fell to me to keep my family safe.
After El Lobo's car disappeared down the driveway, I let out a shaky breath, relief washing over me. That had been too close. Too fucking close.
Orion stirred in my arms, whimpering softly as if sensing my tension. I bounced him with gentleness, cooing soft nonsense words to calm him down.
"Shh, little man,"I murmured against his temple."It's okay. Daddy's got you."
Just as I was starting to relax, the sound of another car approaching caught my attention. My muscles tensed again, my hand instinctively reaching for my gun. But it was too late — the car was already pulling up the driveway.
The door swung open, and out stepped Norri, his face pale and drawn as he took in the scene before him. His eyes darted from me to the empty space where El Lobo's car had been parked moments ago.
"Gali?"He asked tentatively, uncertainty lacing his voice."Is... Is everything okay?"
I forced a reassuring smile onto my face, tucking my gun away behind my back so he wouldn't see it."Everything's fine,"I lied."Just an old friend stopping by."
Norri raised an eyebrow but didn't press the issue. Instead, he walked over to us, reaching out to take Orion from my arms."Here, let me take him,"he whispered.
As our son passed from my arms to his other father's, I watched their faces intently. The love between them was palpable, a tangible thing that warmed my heart despite the chill of fear still lingering within me.
"Are you sure you're alright?"Norri asked again, concern etched into the lines of his face as he studied me.
I nodded firmly."Positive,"I replied, forcing conviction into my voice."Nothing for you to worry about."
Norri hesitated for a moment before speaking again."Okay,"he said."If you say so."But his tone suggested that he wasn't entirely convinced.
I knew I had some explaining to do later. But for now, all I wanted was to forget about El Lobo, about Marcus' possible death, and about the looming threat hanging over our heads.
All I wanted was to be here with my family, safe and happy.