Chapter 213: Surrender

Bella had spent years fighting him.

Fighting the mate bond.

Fighting her past.

Fighting herself.

But Dante was done letting her fight alone.

And when he kissed her—slow, deep, devastating—

Bella shattered.

She let go.

Of the doubt.

Of the fear.

Of the ghosts that whispered she wasn't enough.

She sank into him, her hands fisting in his shirt, pulling him closer, deeper, needing him like she needed air.

"You are mine."

Dante's breath was fire against her skin.

"And I will remind you every day until you believe it."

Bella's throat tightened.

Because she did believe it.

She had just been too scared to admit it.

"Dante."

His name was barely a whisper.

Barely a breath.

But he heard it.

And when he laid her down, when he claimed her again, slowly, completely, with hands that refused to let her disappear—

Bella stopped fighting.

Stopped running.

Stopped hiding.

Because Dante had already proven he would chase her anywhere.

Even into the dark.

Even into hell itself.

And if that was true—

Then maybe it was time to stop being afraid.

Maybe it was time to finally come home.

For real.

For good.

For him.