Bound by Fate, Torn by war(THE LUNA’S WAR)

Bella could still feel him.

Her lips tingled where his mouth had devoured hers. Her skin burned from the way his hands had gripped her like he was starving for her—like he wanted to consume her whole.

And now?

Now, he was walking away.

The bastard was walking away after igniting a fire inside her that she couldn't put out.

Bella's chest heaved, her nails digging into the rough bark of the tree behind her. Every part of her body screamed for him to come back, to finish what he started.

But her pride?

Her pride wouldn't allow it.

"You will not be my mate."

His words sliced through her like a blade, and Bella felt something inside her snap.

"Fucking coward," she spat.

Dante froze, his broad back going rigid.

Good.

If he thought he could take what he wanted and then leave her standing there like she was nothing, he was dead wrong.

"You think this is my choice?" Dante turned back to her, his voice rough and sharp. His blue eyes burned with a fury that matched her own. "You think I want this?"

Bella let out a sharp, humorless laugh. "I don't give a shit what you want, Dante. What I do give a shit about is you acting like a weak, spineless Alpha who can't handle what the Moon Goddess gave him."

His nostrils flared, and she could see the muscles in his jaw clenching.

"Watch yourself, Bella," he warned, voice dropping to a dangerous growl.

She took a step forward, challenging him. "Or what? You'll pin me against another tree? Kiss me again, touch me again, make me fall apart under your hands—just so you can run away like a coward?"

Dante's chest rose and fell heavily, his hands twitching at his sides like he was on the verge of losing control.

But then, he did the worst thing he could possibly do.

He smirked.

That cruel, arrogant smirk that made her want to punch him and rip his clothes off at the same time.

"You think you can handle me, little wolf?" he taunted, his voice low and dark as sin. "You think you're ready for what it would mean to be mine?"

Bella's breath hitched at the promise in his tone.

But she wasn't about to let him win.

She took another step forward, forcing herself to ignore the pull between them, the way her body betrayed her every time he got too close.

"I think you're too much of a coward to try," she said, her voice like a blade.

Dante's smirk disappeared instantly. His eyes darkened, and for a second, she thought he might kiss her again—might rip her apart and claim her like his wolf so clearly wanted him to.

But instead…

He stepped back.

And that hurt more than any rejection ever could.

"You don't know what you're asking for," Dante said, his voice eerily calm. "You don't know what kind of monster I am."

And then, before she could say another word, he shifted into his massive black wolf and disappeared into the night.

Leaving her alone. Again.

The Separation: Three Weeks Later

Bella had never felt emptier in her life.

The pain was constant. A slow, dull ache that sat in her chest and refused to leave.

The bond was torturing her, keeping her awake at night, making her crave a man who didn't want her.

And the worst part?

Dante had been avoiding her.

For three weeks, he had kept his distance. No heated arguments, no storming into the healer's lodge, no showing up in the middle of the night like he couldn't help himself.

Nothing.

It was driving her insane.

Her wolf, Luna, was suffering. She prowled in Bella's mind, restless and frustrated, howling for their mate.

"He's ignoring us," Luna growled. "He's trying to break the bond."

Bella clenched her fists. Good.

Let him break it.

She refused to be another one of his mistakes.

But deep down, she knew the truth.

If Dante truly rejected her, it would destroy them both.

And he knew it, too.

The Breaking Point

Bella was in the training grounds, furiously throwing punches at the sandbag in front of her. Her body was aching, burning, but she didn't stop.

She needed to hit something. She needed to feel something other than him.

"Bella."

Her father's voice made her pause, but she didn't turn around.

"Not now, Dad," she muttered, slamming her fist into the bag again.

Marco sighed, stepping closer. "You need to stop pretending you're fine."

Bella's hands tightened around the sandbag. "I am fine."

"Really?" Marco's voice held a hint of amusement. "Then why is your mate standing behind you, looking like he's about to murder someone?"

Bella's breath caught.

Slowly, she turned.

Dante stood a few feet away, his arms crossed over his chest, his piercing blue eyes locked onto her like a predator stalking its prey.

His dark hair was slightly damp from training, his muscular frame tense, like he was holding back something dangerous.

And God help her, he looked so fucking good.

Like he had been made to ruin her.

Bella swallowed hard, her pulse pounding in her ears.

She hadn't seen him in weeks.

Hadn't heard his voice.

But now that he was here…

The anger hit her like a damn hurricane.

Without thinking, she marched up to him, shoving him hard in the chest.

"Three weeks," she hissed.

Dante didn't even flinch.

"You ignored me for three fucking weeks," she snapped, shoving him again. "You left me to suffer through this bond alone, like some—"

Dante moved so fast she barely had time to react.

One second, she was shoving him.

The next, her back was pressed against the nearest wall, his massive body caging her in.

Bella gasped, her pulse skyrocketing as he leaned in, so close she could feel his breath on her lips.

"You think I don't feel it too?" Dante growled, his voice dangerously low. "You think I haven't been losing my fucking mind every second I've been away from you?"

Bella's breath hitched.

Then why did you leave? She wanted to scream the words, wanted to punch him, wanted to pull him closer.

His fingers brushed against her hip, setting her skin on fire.

"You drive me insane, Bella," he whispered, his lips grazing her jaw, sending a shudder through her entire body.

Her eyes fluttered closed, her chest rising and falling rapidly.

"Dante…" she whispered.

He pulled back just enough to meet her gaze, his expression dark.

"You should run," he murmured. "Because if you don't, I'm not going to stop this time."

Bella's heart slammed against her ribs.

She should run.

She should tell him to go to hell.

But instead…

She grabbed the back of his neck and pulled him down to her mouth.

And the war between them began all over again.