Chapter 39: Betrayal in the Pack

Bella's heart stopped.

She turned sharply, her eyes locking onto Chase, who had gone completely still.

"What?" Dante's voice was dangerously low.

Chase slowly stood, his face unreadable. "That's a lie."

Sage frowned. "Why would they say it if it wasn't true?"

The warrior shifted uncomfortably.

"He was seen leaving the cell just before the body was found."

Dante's breath was slow, controlled—but Bella knew that meant he was barely restraining his rage.

"Tell me what the fuck is going on, Chase."

Chase exhaled sharply, raking a hand through his hair.

"I went to see him. But I didn't kill him."

Bella's mind raced.

This didn't make sense.

She had known Chase her whole life.

He was Dante's Beta, his best friend.

He would never—

But something felt wrong.

A sick, twisting feeling in her gut.

Chase met Dante's gaze, his jaw tightening.

"I swear to you, I didn't do this."

Dante studied him for a long, tense moment.

Then, he turned to Sage.

"Show me the body."

The Dead Man's Secret

The dungeon was cold, damp, thick with the stench of blood.

Bella barely flinched as she entered, but even she felt the weight of death hanging in the air.

Dante stood beside her, his expression dark, unreadable.

Chase was a few feet behind them, his hands clenched into fists.

Then, they saw him.

The rogue.

Slumped against the cell wall, his throat slit cleanly, his lifeless eyes staring at the ceiling.

Dante's lips curled back into a snarl.

"This wasn't an interrogation."

Bella exhaled slowly.

He was right.

Whoever had done this had wanted him silenced.

Before they could get answers.

Chase stepped forward. "This wasn't me."

Dante's gaze was ice.

"Then who the fuck was it?"

Bella knelt beside the body, scanning the cell.

And then—

Something caught her eye.

A slip of paper, crumpled near the rogue's hand.

She reached for it, her pulse quickening as she unfolded the note.

There was only one sentence.

One sentence that sent a chill through her entire body.

"The traitor walks among you."

Bella's stomach tightened.

She looked up—

And locked eyes with Dante.

Because this wasn't just a murder.

This was a warning.

And now?

They had no idea who to trust.