Chapter 159: The Alpha’s Vengeance

The cell was cold.

Dark.

Damp.

Bella sat on the stone floor, her wrists bound behind her, her body aching, her breathing slow, steady.

She wasn't afraid.

Not of this.

Not of him.

Dante stood in the doorway, watching her, his blue eyes unreadable.

His shirt was ripped, his knuckles bruised, his jaw tight.

She had fought him hard.

Had left marks.

But he had still won.

Bella smirked.

"Was this your plan?"

Her voice was hoarse, mocking.

"Drag me back here like some prisoner? Like a rogue who needs to be put down?"

Dante's expression didn't change.

"You are worse than a rogue."

Bella's stomach twisted.

"Then kill me."

Dante exhaled slowly.

"Not yet."

He stepped into the cell, closing the door behind him, his movements slow, calculated.

"First, I want to know why."

Bella arched a brow.

"Why what?"

Dante's jaw ticked.

"Why you left."

Bella's smirk faltered.

Just for a second.

But Dante saw it.

Saw the way her fingers curled against her restraints, the way her breath hitched, the way something dark flickered behind her golden eyes.

She turned away.

"You already know why."

Dante moved.

Fast.

Too fast.

Before she could react, his hand was gripping her jaw, forcing her to look at him, his touch unrelenting.

"Say it."

Bella's pulse roared.

"Fuck you."

Dante tightened his grip.

"Say it, Bella."

Her heart pounded violently.

Because she couldn't.

Couldn't say the words.

Couldn't admit the truth.

That she had left not to save herself—

But to save him.

Because she had felt it even back then.

The darkness.

The hunger.

The thing inside her that would have ruined him.

And she had refused to let that happen.

So she had walked away.

Had become a monster alone.

Had let him hate her.

Because it was easier that way.

But now?

Now he was forcing her to face it.

And she didn't know if she could.

Dante's breath was hot against her skin.

"Tell me the truth, Bella."

Bella's throat burned.

She swallowed hard.

Then—

"The truth?" she whispered.

Her golden eyes locked onto his.

And then she smiled.

"I never loved you."

Dante stilled.

His fingers flexed.

His chest rose and fell with slow, dangerous breaths.

Then—

"Liar."

His lips crashed against hers.

And Bella?

Bella didn't stop him.

Because for the first time in three years—

She wasn't running anymore.

She was falling.

Straight into his fire.