Chapter 131: Tearing Her Apart
Bella was drowning.
Not in water.
Not in darkness.
In herself.
Flashes of her past slammed into her, sharp, relentless, unforgiving.
She saw herself as a child, curled in a corner while Gabriel's wolves circled her like vultures.
She saw herself running through the woods, lost, starving, bleeding, searching for something—anything—that would make her feel real.
She saw Dante.
His eyes burning into hers the first time he claimed her as his.
The rage in his snarl when he fought for her.
The way he kissed her like she was the only thing that mattered in the world.
The way he looked at her now, broken but unyielding, desperate but ruthless.
"You are Bella Santos," Dante snarled, his grip tightening on her throat, his body pressed against hers, his heartbeat a war drum against her skin.
"You are my Luna."
Bella's chest heaved.
Her mind fractured.
The Hollow One laughed inside her head.
"She was weak."
"She was nothing."
"She belongs to me now."
Bella screamed.
Fighting.
Tearing.
Burning.
Dante leaned in, his breath hot against her ear.
"Then fight, Bella."
"Fight for me."
"Fight for yourself."
Bella's fingers curled into his arms.
The Hollow One was ripping at her from the inside, tearing at every memory, every emotion, every part of her that was real.
And for a terrifying second—
She didn't know if she would win.