Chapter 62

Dante’s POV

Alright, let’s stop the pretense. That door didn’t just open, it screeched like a dying animal and slammed a flood of torchlight into my cell. I squinted up, blinking like some half-drowned rat yanked from the bottom of a well. No clue how long I’d been down there. Days? Weeks? Time melts in a hole like that. All I saw all day was stone and the smell of mold.

When the guards walked in, rattling chains, for a second I thought Dominic had finally gotten bored with letting me rot. Maybe the rumors had gotten too loud, and now it was time for the grand finale...Dante’s head on a pike.

But nope. Instead, the captain bowed in respect and said. “By order of the council, Beta Dante, you are to be released under guard.”

Just like that.

I glared at him, suspicion twisting in my gut. Released? Why bother now?

It didn’t matter.

The chains were slapped back on, digging into my wrists as they yanked me up. My legs were noodles. Absolute jelly. But I wasn't going to let them see me stumble. I gritted my teeth, straightened my back, and let pride sink in.

They escorted me out to the corridor. The air seemed fresh and breathable now. And then finally… Castle halls. Warmth. Light. The world is still spinning along just fine without me.

And there she was.

Elora.

Standing at the top of the stairs, stiff as a statue, eyes locked on me as a flicker of relief passed through her eyes. Part of me wanted to spit, remember every time she had picked Dominic, every time she had turned away. But all I saw was the girl who once whispered she couldn’t let me go.

“Dante,” she said, voice barely a breath.

I froze.

The guards tensed, as if waiting for us to get into a fight or something. Instead, I just stared at her. My mouth felt dry, and my heart was beating fast.

“You… fought for this?” My voice sounded unsure.

She nodded, swallowing hard. “The council didn’t want to. Some of them still don’t. But I told them you’re the only one who can lead the borders. That we need you.”

We.

That word hit harder than the shackles ever did.

I should have said thanks. Some part of me was grateful, I guess.

“You vouched for me,” I said, flat, searching her face. “Stuck your neck out. Risked everything.”

“Yeah.”

The silence between us was a living thing, sharp, choking. I wanted to reach for her. Maybe punch a wall. I did neither.

Finally, I let out this laugh, dry, ugly, no humor in it. “You never learn, Elora. You tie yourself to me again, and if I go down, you’re coming with me.”

Her jaw clenched. “Then I'll go down with you.”

For a second, I couldn’t breathe. Didn’t even get a chance to answer before the guards pulled gently on my chains, signalling we had to go. The moment was shattered. I let them drag me away, refusing to look back. The council chamber was crammed with all the usual sour faces. Elders sitting there, eyes sharp enough to cut. I took my seat, chains rattling, just in case I’d forgotten I was still a prisoner.

Elora sat on Dominic’s throne, shoulders squared, chin up. She looked every bit the Luna, untouchable, calm, cold as ice. But I’d seen her eyes out there. I knew the truth.

Elder Cavan jumped right in, practically snarling. “This is a mistake. We’re letting a wolf accused of treason back in. What if he turns on us?”

Elora didn’t flinch. “I already told you. If Dante betrays us, you can hold me responsible.”

Her calm rattled them more than if she’d screamed. I almost laughed.

Almost.

Harrod eyed me. “You’re under strict guard, Dante. No leaving the castle without an escort. No decisions without council say-so. Got that?”

“Yeah, I got it,” I muttered, voice low. “But let’s be real, your borders are bleeding out there. Warriors dying. While you all sit here arguing about trust, the rogues are sharpening their blades. You don’t trust me? Fine. But if you want this pack to survive, put me where I belong. On the front lines.”

That got their attention. The elders muttered, some pissed, some maybe thinking. Harrod stared at me for a long, heavy beat, then gave the barest nod.

He gave this little nod, super serious. “Fine. You’re back on border duty, don’t get cocky. One slip and boom, you’re dead. No trial, no speeches.”

“Wow, thanks,” I muttered under my breath. Relief flickered in my chest anyway. Guess I’d rather be useful and alive than rotting in a cell, even if it’s just to piss them off.

But then I glanced over at Elora. She was staring at me, eyes filled with something I couldn’t understand. Hope? Fear? Or just that connection between us, stubborn as ever, refusing to die no matter how hard we both tried to ignore it.

That bothered me more than the council threats.

After everyone left the room, I found myself alone with her in the hallway. The guards stayed back, pretending to be invisible but obviously eavesdropping.

“You really shouldn’t have done that,” I said, whispering.

She smirked. “Done what?”

“Stuck your neck out for me. The council’s gonna eat you alive for it. Mira’s already plotting, and Dominic...” My voice caught, stupid thing. I swallowed it down. “He will call it betrayal.”

Her hand moved, like she wanted to grab mine but decided against it. “Dominic’s gone, Dante. The pack needs you. I need you.”

I wanted to believe her, wanted it to mean something. But all the anger I had for Dominic still made me mad.

“Do you need me?” I shot back, voice sharp. “But do you even want me, Elora? Or am I just the sword you pull when Dominic can’t hold it anymore?”

She sucked in a breath. Didn’t answer.

That silence? Yeah, it said everything.

I turned away before she could see my face. I walked out the door.

But then, I shook my head and walked back in.