Chapter 49: The Choice
Bella's breath came in sharp, uneven bursts.
Her mind was racing, every instinct screaming at her to fight, to break free—
But her heart?
It ached.
Because this was Gavin.
Someone she had trusted.
Someone she had considered a brother.
"Why?" she whispered.
Gavin's grip tightened, his jaw clenching.
"Because White Moon was never meant to survive."
Bella's stomach twisted.
"What the hell does that mean?"
Gavin exhaled, his golden eyes flickering with something almost… regretful.
"Dante was never supposed to win, Bella." His voice was quiet, almost gentle.
"Viktor should've killed him years ago. Indiana Park should have ruled. But then you came along—"
He swallowed hard.
"And suddenly, everything changed."
Bella's pulse pounded.
"You were working with them all along?"
Gavin hesitated.
"Not at first."
Bella's chest tightened.
Because fuck, that was worse.
That meant there was a time when he had been loyal.
A time when he had been her friend.
And now?
Now, he was going to hand her over to Mikhail.
Or worse—kill her himself.