Chapter 40: The Traitor Among Us

The cell was silent, but the tension thickened like a storm waiting to break.

Bella still knelt on the damp stone floor, the crumpled note clutched in her fingers.

"The traitor walks among you."

Her heart pounded loud in her ears as her eyes flickered from the dead rogue to Dante—whose expression was dark, unreadable.

Chase stood a few feet away, his body rigid, fists clenched, his golden-brown eyes narrowed.

"Someone inside the pack did this," Bella murmured, gripping the note tighter.

Dante's jaw ticked.

"We need to find out who." His voice was low, controlled—but she could hear the barely restrained fury beneath it.

Because this?

This wasn't just a betrayal.

This was a declaration of war from within.

And Dante Rodrigo?

He didn't forgive traitors.

Sage exhaled sharply, crossing her arms. "We don't even know if this is real. It could be a setup—Mikhail's way of making us turn on each other."

"Or it could be the truth," Chase countered, his gaze flickering to the dead rogue. "And if it is, then someone in White Moon is working for Indiana Park."

Bella's stomach twisted.

Because Chase was right.

If there was a traitor among them, that meant—

Mikhail already had eyes inside the pack.

He already knew their weaknesses.

And worst of all?

He could be watching them right now.

Dante's voice was sharp, deadly.

"Sage, lock down the packhouse. No one leaves, no one enters without my order."

Sage nodded immediately. "On it."

Dante turned to Bella, his blue eyes burning into hers.

"You stay close to me."

Bella frowned. *"Dante—"

"No arguing, Bella." His voice left no room for negotiation.

"If they want you, they're going to have to go through me first."

Bella's breath hitched.

Because the way he said it—low, possessive, final—

Sent a chill down her spine.

Not from fear.

From something far more dangerous.

Because Dante Rodrigo?

He would kill for her.

And he wouldn't think twice.