Chapter 70: The Devil Shows His Face

The air shifted.

A presence unfolded in the darkness, slow, deliberate.

Then—

A man stepped into the moonlight.

Bella's breath caught.

Because for the first time in years, she was looking into the eyes of a ghost.

Gabriel Santos.

Her birth Alpha.

The man who had once ruled her world with an iron fist.

The man who had tried to sell her, break her, own her.

And now?

Now, he stood before her, tall, broad, wrapped in the scent of power and cruelty.

His dark hair was shorter than she remembered, streaked with silver.

His gray eyes were sharp, calculating.

But worst of all?

He looked at her like she still belonged to him.

"Bella," he murmured, his lips curling into a slow, knowing smile.

"You've grown."

Bella's stomach twisted with revulsion.

"You should be dead." Her voice was calm, steady, but inside, her wolf growled.

Gabriel chuckled.

"Did you really think a few rebels could kill me, little one?" His gaze flickered over her, lingering on her throat—on Dante's mark.

His expression darkened.

"You let someone else claim you?"

Bella smirked.

"Not let. Chose."

Gabriel's jaw ticked.

"That was a mistake."

Dante stepped forward, his dominance pressing against the clearing like a storm ready to break.

"The only mistake is thinking you'll leave here alive."

Gabriel tilted his head, amused.

"Ah. The infamous Alpha Rodrigo." He chuckled. "I expected you to be more… intimidating."

Dante's blue eyes burned.

"Then allow me to correct your expectations."

The tension snapped.

Gabriel moved first, lunging toward Bella—

But she was faster.

She dodged, twisting out of his reach, slamming her dagger into his side.

Gabriel grunted, staggering back.

Then—

He laughed.

"Good, little wolf," he murmured, pressing a hand to his wound.

"You finally learned how to bite."

Bella's heart pounded.

Because Gabriel wasn't alone.

Wolves emerged from the shadows, their eyes glowing in the dark.

Dozens.

Maybe more.

A whole fucking army.

Gabriel smiled.

"You really thought I came alone?"

Dante's fists clenched.

"Kill them all."

Then—

Hell broke loose.