Chapter 169: Caught

Bella moved slowly, carefully, shifting out from beneath Dante's grip.

She barely breathed, barely made a sound, her feet hitting the cold floor as she reached for her clothes.

She didn't look back.

Couldn't.

Because if she did—

If she saw him sleeping there, bare, vulnerable, so painfully familiar—

She wouldn't leave at all.

Her fingers trembled as she fastened her boots.

Then—

"Going somewhere?"

Bella froze.

Her stomach tightened violently.

Because Dante's voice was low, rough with sleep, but still laced with sharp, deadly awareness.

She closed her eyes.

Shit.

"Bella."

She swallowed hard.

"I can't stay."

The bed creaked as he moved, his body shifting behind her, his presence wrapping around her like a noose.

"And why is that?"

Bella forced herself to stand.

Forced herself to turn.

Dante was sitting on the edge of the bed, elbows resting on his knees, watching her.

His blue eyes were sharp, piercing, too damn knowing.

His hair was tousled, his skin marked with the proof of what they'd done, what they'd given in to.

And yet—

He was calm.

Too calm.

Like he had already decided the outcome.

Bella's throat tightened.

"You know why."

Dante tilted his head.

"Say it."

Bella exhaled slowly.

"Because I am not your Luna anymore."

Silence.

Then—

Dante stood.

And fuck.

Bella felt it.

The heat.

The raw power of him, the way the air shifted under his presence.

He closed the distance between them in two slow steps.

Not touching her.

Not yet.

But close enough that she could feel him everywhere.

"You think that matters?"

Bella's chest ached.

"It should."

Dante's lips curled.

"It doesn't."

Then—

His hand curled around the back of her neck, tilting her face up, forcing her to meet his gaze.

"You are mine, Bella."

His voice was low, firm, unshakable.

"And I will never let you go again."

Bella shuddered.

Because she knew.

He meant it.

And for the first time in years—

She wasn't sure if she wanted him to.