Chapter 22: Breaking the Alpha

The moment the words left Bella's lips—

"Make me."

Something inside Dante snapped.

Gone was the man who had spent weeks fighting the bond, resisting her, pretending he could control himself.

What was left?

A beast.

A predator.

A mate who had finally lost the last shred of restraint holding him back.

Bella barely had time to react before Dante moved, fast and lethal, flipping her onto her stomach, pressing her body into the mattress with his full weight.

She let out a sharp gasp, her breath catching as his teeth scraped over her mark again, hot and possessive.

"You think you can challenge me?" His voice was a low, rumbling growl, vibrating against her skin.

Bella grinned into the sheets, victorious.

"I don't think, Dante. I know."

Dante let out a harsh, ragged exhale, his fingers digging into her hips, keeping her locked beneath him.

"You really don't know when to stop, do you, little wolf?"

Bella let out a mocking hum, shifting beneath him just enough to make him feel the heat of her body pressing against his.

"What's the matter, Alpha?" she teased, her voice low and sweet, full of false innocence.

"Afraid you'll break before I do?"

A deep, guttural growl rumbled from Dante's chest.

"You think I'll break first?"

His lips skimmed her shoulder, slow, teasing, torturous.

Then—

His teeth sank into her skin again.

Hard. Possessive. Unrelenting.

Bella let out a sharp, helpless gasp, her body tensing, trembling, burning.

The mate bond roared through her, brutal and intoxicating, crashing over her in waves.

Dante felt it.

Felt the way her body betrayed her, felt the way the bond was already winning, already claiming her completely.

"You want to test me, Bella?" His voice was rough, dark, dripping with something dangerous.

"Then let's see how long you last before you're begging."

Bella's breath hitched.

Because she knew—

Dante Rodrigo was about to ruin her.

And this time, there would be no escaping him.