THE COLOMBIAN ALPHA

ALBERTO AND MARIANA

"Alberto, understand that what we have can't be."

"Mariana, I understand it, but I don't accept it. I love you, and nothing else matters to me."

"That's very romantic, but you're far from reality. It's not just the fact that you're a werewolf; it's everything else."

"I swear I'll find a solution to all those problems. I don't know how, but I will. All I know is that I can't live without your beautiful green eyes, your golden hair, and that lovely scent of yours."

"That's another thing. I also love your elegant bearing, your honey-colored eyes that I get lost in, your hairstyle that never gets messed up, that black hair of yours, your goatee that traps me, and your burly figure that makes me feel protected. Add to that your manners and attention, it was impossible not to fall in love with you."

"Then why don't you accept me? Let's run away together to a private island, away from everything. In that place, it'll just be the two of us, where we can fully give ourselves to love."

"Alberto, you know your enemies wouldn't leave us in peace, even in the farthest corner of the planet."

"Then, my beloved Mariana, we'll go to another world, where we can be happy forever."

"No, my dear Alberto, I've made my decision. I don't want to keep going through everything I've been through. It's a miracle I'm still alive after so many misfortunes. I've come to the conclusion that it's very dangerous to be the wife of a mobster, and even worse, of a werewolf."

"I'm telling you again, I'll do whatever it takes, and that includes leaving the mafia, even if it means being expelled from the pack. You are my moon, the love of my life."

"Alberto, please, snap out of it. Your father is the Alpha. He will never let us be together. Remember how he opposed it when he found out I was human, and even worse, poor. Please, leave me alone."

"No, remember what I promised you the day we met. Please, remember."

"That was a long time ago. I remember that day; we were in a situation similar to this. I was being chased by a pack of jaguars, and when they had me cornered, you appeared like a gift from heaven, saving me like a superhero. The events of that day made me question everything I believed to be reality, not just because of your transformation but theirs too. Plus, it never crossed my mind that mafias were controlled by supernatural beings."

"That's because our abilities give us an advantage in facing the dangers of this risky profession. Speaking of dangers, we're surrounded. There are twenty-two of them-I can smell them. I'll have to fight while you escape."

"None of that, sir. I'm no longer that frightened girl. I've learned to fight and face my fears. Likewise, I'll fight by your side. Furthermore, I will never again be the damsel in distress who needs her prince to save her. I did think hiding in this abandoned building wasn't a good idea."

"Then why, dear Mariana, did you agree to hide with me?"

"Because I needed to talk to you. I also wanted to clear my head and rest a bit. We've been running all night."

"As for you escaping, it's not because I doubt your ability to defend yourself. It's because I fear losing control and hurting you."

"Alberto, I can't run away knowing they might hurt or kill you."

"Don't worry. I've had tougher fights. Since I came to this country, fleeing European hunters, I've had to face many enemies. Especially when my father agreed to be the driver for that drug lord, and then took over when his enemies eliminated him. He became the head of the organization and gathered several werewolves without a pack, who chose him as the Alpha. Because of that, I was always a target for bullies who wanted to hurt my father by attacking me."

Just then, some men wearing wool ponchos entered the room where they were hiding behind a wall, and one of them shouted: "Freeze! Surrender, and I promise we'll spare your lives. Don't hide; we can smell your fear."

"We're not afraid of you. We just wanted to lure you here. You should be the ones afraid. You can still run before you regret it." Alberto stepped out of the hiding spot, puffing out his chest and looking at them with disdain and arrogance.

"Don't think you're invincible, mutt. There are only two of you, but there are many of us. You don't stand a chance," one of their pursuers replied, showing a hand that transformed into a yellow claw. Behind him, more men appeared.

"You may outnumber us, but we are more powerful." Alberto's body swelled as his size increased, gray fur sprouting all over his body, shredding his clothes. His jaw elongated, his ears became pointed, his teeth grew into fangs, his honey-colored eyes now seemed to spark, and his hands turned into powerful claws.

"Of course, wolf pup, we know you're strong, but not strong enough to fight all of us while protecting that human girl. We'll see how long you can last," the man said as he threw off his poncho and transformed into a jaguar, roaring and showing his powerful fangs.

"Enough talk; let's get to action. Remember, we have to take the girl alive. That's what the shaman ordered, and we don't have to hold back on the mutt. Let's hit him with all we've got." Another man transformed too, roaring, and was followed by the others who lunged at Alberto. He swatted them away with his claws like a baseball bat, though one managed to dodge and a bit down on his neck, latching on like a clothespin.

"Let go of his neck, you disgusting beast! Get out of here, you have overgrown cats!" Mariana shouted, delivering a flying kick to the jaguar biting Alberto's neck, forcing it to release him and crash to the floor, where Alberto finished it off with a stomp.

"Comrades, the shaman told us to take her alive, but that doesn't mean we have to take her unharmed." roared one of the jaguar men as he charged at Mariana, only to be blocked by Alberto, who, in defending her, let the guard down. His attackers then bit his legs and tail, causing him to lose his balance.

"Leave him alone!" Mariana exclaimed as she saw several of the small tigers piling on top of her beloved. In desperation, she shoved a few of them off, just enough for Alberto to get back up.

"Thank you, my love. We only have one option left: we have to run," Alberto growled, striking the nearest jaguars.

"No, my love, we have no options left. Only desperate measures." She pulled out a lighter from her pocket, climbed onto her werewolf's shoulders, and lit it under a fire sprinkler sensor, triggering the sprinklers and drenching the place in water, disorienting the jaguars.

"Hold on tight, my love," Alberto told Mariana as she clung to his back. He ran on all fours, dodging the other beasts, and leaped through an old window that led to the main street. The six-story fall didn't affect them due to the werewolf's sturdy body, and upon landing, he continued running.

"Love, please, wait. Stop for a moment, please, Alberto."

"Of course, love. I think we're safe now. What happened to you? Let me see that wound."

"Alberto, it's not just a wound-it's a bite. You know what that means."

"Don't worry, we'll find a way to fix it. You know, I always find a way."

"No, my beloved, this is the end. You know if this bite doesn't kill me, I'll transform into one of them, and that will be a powerful reason for your father to prevent us from being together. Now, our relationship has become even more impossible."

"Maybe there's a solution. I've heard of a priestess who has the power to cure curses and hybrids."

"Once again, you cling to hope, to rumors. You need to face reality. Stop chasing fantasies. Abandon your naïveté and, most importantly, abandon me. Forget me."

"I can't do that, Mariana, my heart, because I love you with all my being."

Mariana and Alberto

"Mariana, please don't fall asleep. If you do, you might never wake up again." Alberto was carrying her on his back, securing her with one arm as he tried to run through a deserted alley, but his injuries hindered him, and he was weakening from the blood loss.

"Love, I know, but if I stay awake, I'll turn into one of those beasts. I don't have many options, and my eyelids feel so heavy. When I close them, I feel a tickle run through my body, inviting me to sleep."

"Hold on, my moon, stay strong. We'll soon reach my father's doctor."

"Alberto, my beloved Alpha, please leave me here. We won't get far. You can't run fast carrying me on your back. It's better if you go and save yourself. You must be badly injured. Those jaguars bit you in several places. I can smell your blood, and I'm just a human... Well, for now."

"That's not going to happen, my adored mate. I won't abandon you again. I've sworn to always protect you, no matter if I lose my life doing it."

"That 'Mate' thing always reminds me of when we first met. I didn't understand what you meant, especially the part about me being your moon and the way you kept smelling me. It was very confusing."

"Please remember everything. I don't want you to fall asleep."

"Love, my beautiful wolf, you know I'm not good at telling stories. Please, I want you to tell me. I love how you describe everything from your animal perspective."

"Alright, Mariana, just promise me you'll pay attention so you don't fall asleep. I remember that day I was heading to the club to play polo, and right there, I saw Cacique Chancó attacking our employees, trying to take over our routes. He only had two bodyguards, and his bizarre personality stood out like a new rich guy, with that stench of burnt plants clinging to him. I didn't waste the opportunity and attacked him.

His bodyguards fought back, emptied their guns with no effect, and then they were forced to shift into jaguars. They gave me a good fight, which allowed their boss to escape.

After staining the club's grass with those overgrown cats' pelts, I followed the foul smell of the cacique down the main avenue. I caught up with him on the river bridge, about ten blocks away. I bit him with all my strength, tasting him like a rabbit. He clawed my back, breaking a few ribs, and I let him go from the pain, giving him a chance to jump into the water and escape.

His scent got lost in the water. I searched downstream until I spotted him in the distance. He was running, transformed into a jaguar. I chased him and was about to catch him again when the wind brought me a sweet aroma. It made every hair on my body stand on end and filled me with warmth that rushed through me, making my heart race. I couldn't help but change my path, letting the Cacique go to follow that trail that led me to a parking lot. I saw a woman from behind trying to open a car. Furthermore, I could tell she was trying to open it with a wire, which was odd. Did you lose your key?"

"No, love, the truth is I was broke, and when I passed by, I saw a suitcase full of jewels inside that car, so I was trying to open it. I was terrified when you silently appeared. I almost fainted. Likewise, I thought the police had arrived. I even imagined myself in jail."

"When I startled you, your feminine scent mixed with your fear, and that made me even more agitated. I remember grabbing you by the shoulders, sniffing your neck, trying to figure out which clan you belonged to, and..."

"And you were disappointed to discover that I was just a human."

"Yes, love, it was frustrating. I found out your nature, but don't take it the wrong way. I had always assumed I'd imprint on an Alpha she-wolf from another clan, just like my father and grandfather did."

"I remember you squeezed me. I felt like I couldn't breathe. You were holding me so tight, sniffing me, licking my ears. Then you exhaled steam that blew my hair back and said, 'GR, it can't be, you're just a human.' You filled me with fear. I almost fainted."

"Yes, love, I felt like my world was collapsing. I didn't know it was possible for a Mate to be human."

"Alberto, that's what you said when you spun me around so roughly, putting us face to face, and I could see your handsome face, those eyes, and that goatee totally struck me. And you were naked, with that body, those well-toned muscles. It made me blush. For a moment, my mind flew to some steamy scenes, until you growled, saying, 'You must be a witch who's enchanting me.' That's when I thought you were crazy, though I didn't rule out the idea you might take advantage of me. But then you threw me against the car, and I managed to see when you punched it and broke the door. That was incredible."

"I remember that. Your amazement didn't stop you from running and grabbing the bag from the car. I thought it was yours, and you were fleeing in terror. You didn't realize I followed you all the way to your pack."

"I lived with my mother and brothers, not in a pack. I thought I saw a huge dog following me, but I figured it was just my nerves. I convinced myself it was all a lie, probably due to stress or something in the air. Though things turned out well, I sold those jewels, bought groceries for my family, paid the rent for our place, and I felt like I had met a handsome man."

"I suppose you mean me, because the guy who bought the jewels was too old for you. I tracked you for days, feeling like I couldn't tear myself away from your presence. I was also curious to know what you really were, and when I discovered you were just a normal person, it shook my existence. Likewise, I couldn't fathom it, especially since my father was making arrangements to betroth me to the daughter of an Italian Alpha."

"She must be a very beautiful she-wolf, like the Mona Lisa."

"She's very beautiful, but don't get jealous. She doesn't compare to you. Speaking of jealousy, I had never felt such a feeling until I saw you with that boyfriend of yours, Miguel. It felt like my head was about to explode. It was as if every pore in my body was releasing steam, like a pressure cooker. I had to fight the urge to devour him, especially when I saw him with another girl near your place. I despised him so much. Furthermore, I couldn't understand how a guy with such a beautiful girlfriend would cheat with women who couldn't even compare to you."

"It's kind of funny now that I think about it."

"Mariana, my moon, what's funny?"

"That you followed me everywhere and the people I hung out with, plus the fact that everyone in the neighborhood knew Miguel was cheating on me, and I was the last to find out. I was so naive. I suspect you had something to do with that."

"Mariana, love, my Mate, please don't fall asleep. We're almost there."

"I thought 'Mate' was a herbal tea or a chess move, but don't change the subject. I demand you tell me if you had anything to do with me finding out about Miguel's infidelity and his disappearance."

ALBERTO THE FUTURE ALPHA

"Mariana, we're almost there. I knew we'd make it. Soon, Dr. Gallo will treat you; he's a genius."

"Don't lie to me. Even I can hear those jaguars catching up to us. And, by the way, you still haven't answered whether you were the one who drove my boyfriend Miguel away."

"Love, that doesn't matter. Let's just say I saw an opportunity and took it. That *#%&* was cheating on you right under your nose. I never understood how he got away with it. I remember one night I was on the rooftops, transformed into a wolf. Furthermore, I saw that guy with his other girlfriend, kissing on the next corner. You were heading there, and just as you were about to catch them, you turned back because you'd forgotten your phone. That same phone saved him another time too. You were so engrossed in social media, you didn't even see him kissing her right in front of you."

"That's nothing. If you knew, I even stopped talking to a friend who told me my boyfriend was cheating. I thought she was gossip, trying to steal him from me. Later, I apologized, but she didn't accept it because she was so hurt. And with good reason-she was the only one who tried to open my eyes. It turns out almost the whole neighborhood knew, but didn't tell me to spare my feelings. In the end, I was the last to find out."

"I noticed. A couple of times, some guys warned him you were coming, so he'd leave his other girlfriend or vice versa. She was just as innocent and deceived as you."

"But my dear Alberto, you're stalling. You still haven't confirmed if you were behind Miguel's disappearance."

"I guess we're close enough to be honest about some things. Let me tell you, I didn't do anything wrong. One afternoon, while I was watching you, I also saw him with his other lover. A couple of his friends ran to warn him. I transformed into a werewolf right in front of those accomplices, scaring them half to death, so they couldn't tip him off. That's why, that time, you finally caught them, though you almost turned back for something. I tried to chase after you to make sure you saw them, and luckily, you didn't change your mind."

"That was tough for me, not because I loved him so much, but because I trusted him. It hurt to feel so betrayed and like an idiot for not believing my friend. Plus, I was used to his presence; we had been together for almost two years, and I even considered giving him my purity."

"I know. That night, I heard you cry almost until morning. I nearly went into your room to comfort you, though I suppose that would've made things worse. Hearing your sobs broke my heart. I only calmed down after beating up Miguel, which made him leave the country."

"I remember the next morning, I got a bouquet of roses, signed by an admirer. I imagine that was you, right?"

"I hate to break it to you, but that wasn't me. It was one of Miguel's friends who, upon learning about your breakup, wanted to take advantage and woo you. What's worse is that he was a decent guy, very polite. I had to scare him off without a reason. I nearly ate him... or maybe I did... I don't remember well; just kidding, I didn't."

"That's too bad, about the roses. I was sure it was you."

"Not that time, but the roses you got after that? Those were from me. I noticed you liked them, and it made me so happy to see you smile as you smelled those flowers."

"Of course, those little gestures helped brighten my life. Even now, remembering that you were the one who sent them brings me joy, even in death."

"Mariana, please hold on. We're only a block away from the hospital."

"Alberto, it's too late. I can't hold on any longer, and they've already caught up to us."

"I know, but I still hope one of my men will come to help us."

"That won't happen. No one's coming to save you, GR." A massive jaguar roared as it blocked their path.

"Get out of here, Cacique Chancó. Take advantage of this chance while you can. We're in my territory, and my reinforcements will be here soon." Alberto finished his sentence with a howl, calling for help.

"Your tricks won't work. We'll finish you off before any of those mangy dogs can rescue you. Though... that girl has a familiar scent." The shaman observed her, his pupils dilating as he tried to see her aura.

"Don't you dare touch her. I swear if you do, you'll regret it for the rest of your life because she is my beloved mate."

"What nonsense you're spouting, mutt. A human can't be your mate unless you turn her, and even then, she'd have to survive the process. But someone on the verge of death doesn't get to make threats."

"Hold on, Shaman. You seem to know how we convert humans; I imagine your process is similar."

"Not at all. Not just anyone can become a jaguar man. They must be descendants of the gods. A mere human isn't blessed, and if they somehow survive a bite or something, they wouldn't withstand the transformation."

"Please, Shaman, let us go. I'll give you anything you want. Name your price. I've lost already, but let us go. I swear I'll give you whatever we agree upon."

"That might have been a deal I couldn't refuse if it weren't for all the soldiers I lost because of yours. That won't be possible. I live by the law of an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a fang. I'll enjoy hearing your father's howls of grief when he finds your remains hanging in the Central Park, just like the conquistadors did. Now, I order my men: Attack! Finish them off, boys!"

A group of jaguars lunged, claws ready to tear them to pieces. Alberto's only option was to throw his beloved into a corner to defend himself. He charged at them, biting their throats, trying to finish them with one blow, but they outnumbered him, inflicting more wounds.

"It's true, you're the future Alpha, which is why you're so strong. I have no choice but to join the fight. I can't just stand here and watch in case one of those mangy wolves shows up to save you," purred the great jaguar, leaping at Alberto, tearing into his back and slamming him against a wall. The other jaguars sank their teeth and claws into him as Mariana screamed in despair, seeing her beloved being massacred.

She couldn't take it anymore and hurled herself onto the shaman's back, trying to choke him. The shaman bucked like a bull, shaking her off to tear her apart.

"Foolish girl, I promise I'll devour you and savor every bite." With that declaration, the shaman flipped her over, pinning her beneath him. Feeling the weight of the massive beast and the blow from the ground, she freed her hands, now at the mercy of her opponent. He prepared his claws, licking his lips as he got ready to feast on her.