Chapter 158: Capture the Queen

The moment Dante moved, so did she.

He lunged.

Fast. Too fast.

But Bella had expected it.

Had spent three years preparing for it.

She dodged at the last second, spinning away from his grasp, her claws slicing through the air—aiming for his ribs.

Dante caught her wrist mid-strike.

Shit.

His grip tightened like iron, pulling her forward, their bodies colliding, heat slamming between them like a physical force.

Bella snarled, twisting, fighting, thrashing, but Dante was stronger.

He always had been.

"Still too damn reckless," he growled, yanking her against him.

Bella snapped her teeth at his throat.

Dante dodged at the last second, slamming her to the ground.

She hit the dirt with a sharp exhale, her chest heaving, her pulse roaring in her ears.

And before she could move—

Dante's weight pressed down on her, pinning her beneath him, his hands gripping her wrists, his breath hot against her ear.

"This is over."

Bella laughed.

Laughed.

Even as her lungs burned, even as her body trembled with exhaustion, even as his scent wrapped around her like a cage.

"You think this is over?"

Her lips curled.

"Poor Alpha."

Then—

She moved.

Fast.

Reckless.

Desperate.

She twisted her hips, shifting her weight just enough to throw him off balance, using every ounce of strength she had left to shove him back.

Dante grunted, his grip faltering just enough for her to escape.

Bella rolled to her feet, chest heaving, legs shaking.

She was losing.

She could feel it.

Dante was too strong.

Too fast.

Too fucking furious.

She wiped the blood from her mouth, smirking.

"You're getting slow, Dante."

His blue eyes flashed.

"And you're getting desperate."

Then—

He moved.

Too fast.

Bella had no time to react before he was on her again, his arms wrapping around her waist, dragging her back down to the dirt.

She fought.

Hard.

But it wasn't enough.

Dante's strength was too much, his weight pressing down on her, his scent suffocating, drowning her.

"I warned you, Bella," he murmured, voice low, deadly.

"You can run. You can fight. But you will never escape me."

Bella stilled.

Her chest heaved.

Because she knew.

It was over.

Dante had won.

And now?

Now she would pay the price.