Chapter 157: The War Between Us

The battlefield smelled of blood and smoke.

Bodies lay scattered across the earth, some still twitching, still breathing, still clinging to the last threads of life.

Bella stood among them, her chest rising and falling in slow, measured breaths.

She had seen death before.

Had dealt it with her own hands, her own claws, her own fangs.

But never like this.

Never at his hands.

Dante Rodrigo stood at the top of the hill, his broad shoulders bathed in silver moonlight, his blue eyes a violent storm brewing on the horizon.

He had come for her.

For this.

And he had brought war with him.

Bella's stomach twisted violently.

Because three years ago, she had walked away.

Had left White Moon.

Had left him.

And now?

Now she was facing the consequences.

She lifted her gaze, locking onto his.

And the second their eyes met—

The bond that should have been dead and buried burned between them like an open wound.

Dante's jaw clenched.

Bella smirked.

"Miss me, Alpha?" she purred.

Dante's snarl shook the earth.

"I should rip your throat out."

Bella tilted her head, eyes flashing.

"Then do it."

Dante took a slow, calculated step forward.

"Not yet."

His voice was low, dark, dangerous.

"First, I want to watch you beg."

Bella's blood hummed.

With rage.

With hunger.

With something far worse.

She had never begged for anything.

And she wasn't starting now.