Page 38 of Chaos Claimed

“We’ll follow them,” Santiago assured Percy, aware that he would eventually have to face seeing his mom. But for now, Santiago wanted to shield him for as long as he could. He also felt a burning desire to hunt down Jacob and return the favor. He should’ve punched him harder that day on the porch. Knocked his head clean off his shoulders.

He still might get the chance once Jacob was found and brought to the tavern, though Santiago wasn’t so sure if it was Suero who found him first.

Chapter Eleven

For the past week, Santiago had been shuttling his mate back and forth to the hospital to visit his mom. On the first day, he asked Miguel and Tomas, two pack members, to clean the blood from Macey's living room, not wanting Percy to return to such a grim reminder.

By the second day, Percy was blaming himself for not being there for his mother.

Preoccupied with his mate returning to the tavern, Santiago had forgotten to arrange for someone to watch over her. If anyone was at fault, it was Jacob. So far, no one could locate him, which was strange considering wolves were excellent trackers.

Santiago lifted his gaze and observed his mate, who sat at his mother’s bedside, the rhythmic hum of machines accompanying their soft conversation. Macey had no memory of the attack or even calling Percy for help. The swelling had subsided, but her face was a canvas of bruises, each one a different hue in the harsh hospital light.

The door swung open, and Diablo poked his head inside. “Do you mind if I steal my boy over there?” he asked, smiling at Macey with warmth and sympathy in his eyes.

“Should I let him kidnap you, or should we call security?” Macey asked, a hint of mischief in her voice.

“I say let Santiago make a run for it and see if Diablo can catch him,” Percy added with a playful tone.

“Wow, thanks a lot,” Santiago grumbled, a smirk tugging at his lips. “I see how it is, cariño.”

He then left the room, stretching his limbs with a soft groan after sitting for so long and asked, “What’s up?”

They moved a little farther down the hallway, their footsteps echoing softly in the corridor, before Diablo spoke. “Found out why Jacob vanished like a ghost.”

He had Santiago’s full attention. “If you make me ask, I’ll be the one who’s after you.”

“Touchy,” Diablo muttered, a frown creasing his brow. “Miguel is the one who tracked his scent back to...” Diablo’s jaw tightened.

“That warehouse,” Santiago concluded. That was the only place that could evoke such a reaction from Diablo. The doctor still hadn’t figured out what was in that tranquilizer dart, leaving them uncertain if the effects were permanent. The uncertainty didn’t sit well with Diablo, who feared he might never be able to shift again.

“For a factory we knew nothing about, we’ve been dealing with it an awful lot lately,” Santiago remarked.

“Yeah.” Diablo’s nostrils flared. “Anyway, Miguel saw Jacob with a couple of hyenas. As soon as he called it in, Matias ordered him to fall back.”

Because Matias didn’t want Miguel out there without backup, risking being tranquilized himself.

“He’s sending Suero, Cesar, and Lucio out there to install cameras and sensors. Something’s happening at that location, and he wants to find out what it is.”

As badly as Santiago wanted to get his hands on Jacob, Matias was making the right decision. The only way to eliminate those pesky hyenas for good was to gather as much information as possible.

“I was thinking we could—”

“Absolutely not,” Santiago interrupted sharply. “Get that asinine idea out of your head right now. The last time we ‘investigated’ the place, we were ambushed. My ass is still sore from our alpha chewing on it.”

Diablo pressed his lips together, his eyes darting around.

Santiago exhaled heavily. “Look, I understand you want answers, but—”

“You don’t understand shit,” Diablo retorted. “Your beasts respond when called. You can’t begin to comprehend what it’s like to have them imprisoned inside you. It’s a helplessness you never want to endure. So, spare me your speech, Santiago.”

Diablo was determined to go, whether Santiago accompanied him or not. He either went with Diablo or…shit, Santiago wasn’t a snitch. “Don’t put me in this tight spot.”

Diablo dismissed him with a wave, pacing a step away. “If roles were reversed, I would be down for whatever you needed to unlock your fucking beasts, and you know it.” He jabbed a finger at Santiago. “Join me or stay put. Whatever. But I need to figure out what those cabróns did to me.”

“I can’t just leave Percy,” Santiago growled. “You’re asking me to choose between you and my mate.”

“You’re right.” Diablo admitted, raising his hands and sighing. “We’ll handle this Matias’s way.”

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