Chapter 43: The Truth Comes Out

Lena's house was on the far side of the pack village, a small cabin nestled between the trees.

When Bella, Dante, and Sage arrived—

The door was already open.

Bella's breath hitched.

"Something's wrong."

Dante didn't hesitate.

He stepped inside first, his dominance flooding the room, his body tense, ready for an ambush.

Bella followed—

And stopped cold.

Because Lena was already dead.

Her body lay sprawled across the floor, a deep gash across her throat, blood pooling around her.

A warning.

A message.

Dante let out a low, furious growl.

"Fuck."

Bella swallowed hard, forcing herself to step closer.

And that's when she saw it.

A small piece of paper, clenched in Lena's lifeless fingers.

Her heart pounded as she knelt, carefully prying it free.

Then—

She read the words.

And her stomach dropped.

"You're getting closer, Alpha. But you won't find me before I take what's mine."

Bella's blood ran cold.

Because she knew exactly what that meant.

Mikhail wasn't just planning an attack.

He was planning to take her.

Again.

Dante's hand clenched around the note, his blue eyes burning with rage.

"Like hell you will."

Bella exhaled slowly, her pulse hammering.

Because this wasn't just about a traitor anymore.

This was a countdown.

And if they didn't stop Mikhail in time—

She was as good as dead.