Mateo Santiago Romane & Geschichten

My tears flow on ceaselessly, and I get on my knees, wrapping my hands around his ankles. “You are my mate,” I whisper. “Why are you doing this to me?” He kicks me out of the way, just as Selene takes in a sharp breath. “She’s already bleeding, Aiden.” “I don’t care,” he murmurs, then wraps a hand around her waist. “The only person I care about is you.” And then, his eyes fall once again on my crumpled form. “Just in case what happened in there wasn’t clear, this is me, Aiden, the son of Alpha Kael of the Mystic Hollows Pack, rejecting you.”

“And she had no hand in the death of your, mind I add, her mother too. The woman died by the man that we all deem an enemy, and unfortunately…” “His son is her mate,” I said, stopping the man. “Do not think me a fool. Bartolomeo has worked with his mate’s murderer, knowing that he has killed her. He chose his profit over my mother’s death, the woman that he called a lover, and rather than doing everything that YOU can to avenge your daughter, you both held me back.”

Then a hand went up. “It’s y equals mx plus b.” I turned toward the voice. The guy sitting next to me was Hispanic. Sharp jawline. Curly hair. Blue eyes. Arms like tree trunks. “That’s correct,” Mrs. Payne said. “And your name?” “Marcelo,” he replied. “My name is Marcelo.”

“At least you’re safe here. There are guards outside too. Mom and Uncle Jaime feel better knowing you’re here. It’s dangerous in Manila right now if you go back too soon.” Andres stayed quiet, eating his soup. But after a moment, he spoke softly, “Santino… tell me about Mateo.” Santino paused, spoon in hand. “Mateo? Well… he’s been trying to pursue my sister. He visited the island once, and since then, he’s been courting her. I don’t know. But honestly, it doesn’t seem like she’s interested.” Andres looked at him, his tone still cold. “He’s trying to pursue her?”

His fingers trembled slightly, and the tips were an unnatural gray. The elder sat to one side, watching me with heavy eyes. Two women stood nearby, relatives of the elder who had been assigned to "look after" the Alpha. One was named Lira. The other was Sera. "This is the one from the Vex Pack?" Lira looked me up and down. "She does not look like much." Sera said nothing. She just stared at me with cold eyes. The elder spoke. "Athena Vex. You have arrived. You will be told what to do in due time."

“Come, sit. We’ve saved a place for you.” The seat was between Dante and a young, handsome man with Dante’s stormy eyes but none of their calm. This was Mateo, Dante’s younger brother. His smile was a flash of white teeth, but his eyes held a restless, hungry energy that scanned her like a piece of new tech. “So you’re the one who messed up Krilov’s face,” Mateo said, leaning in as soup was served. “I like that. We need more fighters, not just talkers.” His knee brushed against hers under the table. It wasn’t an accident.

I finally gave in to my emotions and started crying hysterically. It's only a matter of time until Mateo comes looking for me himself. How will I protect her from him then? Mateo is ten times better than me at everything. I won't be able to win against him, él es el Salvador de la mafia (he's the savior of the mafia). Mateo Delacruz. He knows how I fight because we used to train together, he knows how I think that's how he always manages to find me. He's never lost a fight and he sure as hell won't lose one against me. He's the Don of the Salvador mafia clan. He's the don of the most feared and most dangerous mafia family in all of Spain.

He collapsed onto a designer leather sofa, his fingers hovering gingerly over his mangled lip. Santiago didn't sit. He stood in the center of the room, framed by the skyline of San Antonio, and stripped away the armor he’d worn for five years. "You have a pup, Derek." Derek froze. The air in the room seemed to vanish. "What?" "His name is Mateo. He’s four years old. And because the universe has a sick sense of humor, he’s already obsessed with the ice."

Only Marcus had him beat for gossiping, instigation, and the most punch-able face. Mateo was as fake as the snow on the ski slopes in southern California. He talked with a Jamaican accent though he dressed like Tarzan, even while he was off duty. His real name was Anthony and he grew up in fucking Brooklyn, had never set one Italian leather sandaled foot in Jamaica or the damn rainforest. His ass wouldn’t last an hour in the jungle, the man was afraid of bugs, wrinkles, and incapable of telling the truth. He fit right in here for sure.

Aaron has always been careful about our meetings, but tonight, I want to surprise him. No matter how many times I see Aaron, I always feel like this—nervous and excited all at once. He’s everything I’ve ever wanted, and I can hardly wait to see him again. As I walk down the road, it’s impossible to miss the posters plastered on every surface of the street. An announcement of the Mate Games happening soon. As I read the words on the posters,I can’t help but roll my eyes. The Mate Game is one of the most barbaric tradition we follow here. The very process is not only dangerous, but life threatening. The royal family here, rose to their status today because of their strength and resilience. By