Chapter 128: The Ritual of Ashes

"There's only one way to sever the Hollow One's hold."

The Seer's voice echoed in Dante's mind, a ghost of a memory from the night before.

"You must force her to remember who she is."

"You must break the creature's hold before it consumes her completely."

Dante knew what he had to do.

But it would be hell.

Bella's body was still beneath his, her lips curled into that eerie smirk, her darkened gaze locked onto his.

This wasn't his mate.

Not yet.

But she was still in there.

Somewhere.

And Dante was going to drag her back.

"You want proof?" he growled.

Then—

He let go of her wrists.

Bella blinked, surprised.

Dante sat back, his piercing blue eyes never leaving her.

"Shift."

Bella's smirk faltered.

"What?"

Dante's voice was calm, absolute.

"If you're really gone, then shift into your wolf."

Bella laughed.

"Oh, Alpha."

She leaned forward, her blackened eyes gleaming.

"She's not coming back."

Dante held her gaze.

"Then prove it."

Bella's smirk twitched.

For the first time since she woke up—she hesitated.

Dante leaned in, his voice dark, taunting.

"Shift, little wolf."

Bella's breath hitched.

Because she couldn't.

The Hollow One had taken her—but not fully.

Her wolf was still there, buried beneath the darkness.

And if her wolf was still there—

Then so was she.

Dante saw the panic flicker in her expression, the crack in the monster's mask.

And he knew.

"I'm going to pull you out of this," he whispered.

"Even if I have to break you to do it."

Then—

The ritual began.