Chapter 12

Elora’s POV

"I'd like to go to my chambers. It was a nice walk though," I said, raising my head and walking passed him

He moved swiftly and held my wrist."I'm sorry. That came out wrong," he signed.

"What do you mean?" I asked, my heart hammering fast

"I'm trying to be there for you. Please don't take it the wrong way," he said. 

Although I wanted to cry and punch him in the face, I knew Dante would never do something to hurt me.

"It's okay," I said and smiled.

"Still friends?" he asked, smirking

"Friends," I replied.

***********

Friendship, huh? Yeah, I thought it was supposed to be the safe option.

Turns out, that’s straight-up nonsense.

Because every single time Dante breezed in, right there with me, had my back like it was second nature, every proud glance he shot my way when I did something right? That little lie of safety just kept falling apart, bit by bit. And then, just to make everything worse, folks started talking.

Figures it began in the training yard.

There I am, trying to look put-together and all Luna-like, barking out orders. I hadn’t exactly been in charge for long, and honestly… not every warrior was thrilled about a Luna who could talk back instead of just hanging pretty on someone’s arm.

One cocky kid muttered, thinking he was all slick. My eyes narrow, I could smell sass a mile off. “Got something to share with the group?”

He opened his mouth, looked ready to run it, but Dante, cool as ever, just stepped in, not even making a show of it.

“You heard her. Don’t waste her time.”

The kid folded quickly. I mean, respect or just plain spooked, who knows? Either way, the energy in the yard jolts. And my nerves do too. You’d think I’d feel grateful, but nope. All I feel is a thousand eyes, flickering between me and Dante. Like we’re some new scandal.

After training, all these whispers circle me. Gossip’s basically the local sport.

“Did you see Beta Dante defend her?”

“They’re glued together lately, huh?”

“Maybe the Luna wishes the Alpha were him instead…”

Jaw clenched tight, I march away like it means nothing. Spoiler: it totally messes with me inside.

Didn’t stop there, shocker.

Out in the market, I’m checking rations with the omegas, just trying to keep things fair. Guess who pops up again? Dante, posted up like some bodyguard who can’t relax. Two families start bickering over who’s hoarding food, and right on cue, Dante’s at my shoulder.

“Enough,” he snaps, voice like he’s slicing the air in two. “The Luna’s word is law. Respect it.”

The whole crowd goes quiet.

I didn’t need him to jump in. I could fight my own battles. Still, when people looked at me differently, took my word just like that…I can’t pretend I hated it.

And there’s this annoying warmth in my chest every time he does it.

Later that night, I came home, and Dominic was nowhere around. Passing the kitchen, I caught the maids chatting while they tried not to chop off their own fingers.

“Luna Elora’s always with Beta Dante.”

“I know! They’re always walking off together, laughing.”

“Do you think maybe… he’s who she actually wants?”

I gripped the knife and damn near sliced my finger. I almost stormed in to tell them off, but I didn’t. Too busy fighting the awful truth, part of me wanted exactly what they’re gossiping about.

The next day, I try to put some space between us.

Dante offered to walk with me to the healer. “No thanks, I’m good.”

He comes by the council chamber... “I’m busy,” I snapped.

In the corridor, he caught my arm. I pulled away, hissing, “You’re making people talk.”

Dante lets go like he’s been burned but doesn't break eye contact.

“So let them,” he says, calm as ever. “You’ve done nothing wrong.”

I barked this dry laugh. “You think that matters? I almost rejected you, Dante. The bond’s still there. They’ll never think we’re just friends.”

His jaw tightened,  voice soft. “Then I’ll be quieter. I don’t want to make life harder for you. I just want to help, Elora.”

And there it is, the sincerity that just… ruins me. I hated how much I needed him.

Not that my withdrawal plan sticks, of course.

The next week, I was stuck refereeing two cranky old wolves, both yelling about trespassing or whatnot. I was running out of patience fast.

Suddenly, one of them sneers, “Why listen to her? Alpha doesn’t even notice her!”

I felt a shiver down my spine.

Before I could say a word, Dante was there, his voice like cold steel.

“Watch it.”

The old men freeze, and Dante practically fills the room. “You respect her, or you deal with me.”

Silence. 

Bows. 

Grumbling apologies.

As soon as they were gone, my hands wouldn’t stop shaking. “You can’t keep doing this,” I whispered. “You can’t keep saving me.”

He just looks at me, gentle for once. “I’m not saving you, Elora. Just reminding everyone who you are. You earned their respect. Don’t let anyone take that away.”

That was when tears almost hit. Because, for real, no one, not even Dominic, ever said that to me.

   That night, I stood there at my window, watching the yard in all that dramatic moonlight. I couldn’t stop thinking about Dante, his voice, steady as always, the way he’s got my back even when everyone else is throwing shade. He was just unshakable, it’s almost infuriating.

I should have been mad at him. Or angry at myself for falling into this mess, letting my heart start doing parkour over him.

But instead, I ended up muttering in the darkness like some lovesick idiot, “What am I gonna do with you, Dante?”

The pack? They weren’t subtle. Their whispers cranked up a notch, or ten.

Some folks, suddenly, had this look. Respect, maybe? As if Dante going to bat for me made me someone worth noticing. The rest, though… All side-eyes and fake grins. I could practically feel them measuring me up for trouble.

Then came that feast. God, the staring. Everyone is so painfully obvious. Dominic, parked at the table’s end, went all stoic and silent, pretending not to care. Me? Sitting up stiff as a lamppost beside him, trying to look serene. 

And of course, there’s Dante, sitting across from me. Met my eyes, just for a blink, but wow, there it was, that stupid flicker, all warmth and smoke, like he’s got secrets just for me. My heart did gymnastics.

I knew, right then, the rumors would just snowball. No hope of stopping that train.

Anyone who looked at us could read the truth. I was doing everything I could to bury these feelings, but deep down? Maybe I didn’t really want to let go. Not completely.