Dante

Alessia

I just fu*ked his off-limits rule. It wasn’t even in the contract. So, technically, I wasn’t bound to obey. I hoped Dante had seen me trespassing his oh-so-sacred office, which he had declared was strictly off-limits for me.

A little part of me was nervous, I won’t lie. I half-expected him to storm out of his office and shoot me with one of those icy glares of his. But instead, Ivan showed up, grinning like a kid who’d just caught his sibling stealing cookies from the jar. Why he reminded me of Drake, my infuriating brother, I had no idea. Maybe it was the cocky grin. I hated Drake, but a tiny part of me wondered how he was doing.

Anyway, Ivan had asked if I was looking for something. My brain scrambled for an excuse, and the best I could come up with was asking about the healers’ wing. It was perhaps because my brain was still stuck on the conversation with Kate earlier.

Ivan told me it was across the training ground and many legends worked there. I was aware of that. Villagers always admired Bloodmoon pack’s grandeurs whether it was about the palace or the people.

Ivan said he would show me the wing tomorrow. I was really eager to see how things work here. The healers here must be super cool, right? Maybe I could learn something from them.

Later, Dmitri joined us in for lunch. Even he had time but his Alpha didn't, for his own family. And what? He had the audacity to think we would fall in love after repeating his ridiculous tasks. As if.

After lunch, I found the library in the north wing on the second floor. The moment I stepped inside, I was enveloped by the scent of old parchment and leather. Rows upon rows of books lined the walls. A treasure trove, it was.

I ran my fingers on old books, searching for anything that could engage me. There were volumes on pack history, ancient texts, and even some on herbal medicine that caught my eye.

But then, one book titled The History of the Shadow Tomb, intrigued me. Shadow tomb’s history? The history that bound my bloodline to this pact, the one that thrust me into this marriage.

I barely knew about Shadow Tomb and its history. Only the members the moon Goddess chose could read it. And I wasn’t one of them. Bellina was the one, and maybe Dante too.

But this book… the history of it might have the answers I was looking for.

I settled into a cozy nook, flipping through the pages. But as I tried to read, confusion set in. It was a jumbled mess of words and symbols I couldn't even read.

“What the fuck is this.” I muttered, flipping through the pages, my frustration mounting. “I didn’t sign up for a language course.”

Salony chimed in, breaking through my irritation. “It’s handwritten with ancient words. Maybe you should stick to your romance novels.”

“Very funny, Salony. I need to understand my roots, not get lost in fairy tales,” I replied, flipping through the pages in frustration. The more I read, the more the words danced away from me.

Just then, I heard the soft sound of pages flipping nearby. I glanced up, and saw Zade.

“Ugh, him again?” Salony groaned. “Why does he have to show up like a bad penny.”

It was the second time I had seen him. He was sitting just a few feet away across the window, reading a book titled… healing potions? I tried to read the title clearly but then his dark hair fell into his eyes. I couldn’t help but admire the way he didn't care, immersed in the book.

“Of all the places to run into him, why here?” I groaned internally, trying to push the thought away.

His focus was solely on the pages in front of him. He hadn’t noticed me, or maybe he was pretending not to.

Before I could decide what to do… stay or slip out unnoticed, a maid appeared beside me. “Luna, you need to get ready.” she said softly.

I blinked, confused. “Get ready? For what?”

She only smiled politely. “I was only told that it’s important.”

As I stood with a nod, Zade finally looked up. His eyes locked onto mine.

I immediately looked away, focusing back on the maid. “Let’s go.”

The maid led me into a cozy dressing room and left with young woman the one I met on my wedding day. The stylist.

“Luna, you are to wear something comfortable for the walk.” She said as she laid out an outfit on the chaise. Dark leggings, a long-sleeved sweater, and boots—practical, but comfortable.

“A walk?” I raised an eyebrow.

Of course, this had Dante’s name written all over it. The infamous Wednesday task, it was. So, he would take me for a walk.

“Yeah.” The stylist didn’t say much, just smiled and handed me the clothes.

After changing, I glanced in the mirror. Simple. Too simple for someone married to an Alpha. Not that I minded; I wasn’t trying to impress anyone. Least of all Dante.

“I hope he is not dragging us through the mud.” Salony quipped. “Not with these cute boots.”

“Why do I think that’s what he is planning?” I thought.

When I stepped out of the dressing room, I nearly jumped out of my skin.

Dante was standing there, leaning against the wall, his arms crossed, his expression cold as ever. Pissed, was he?

“Shit,” I whispered under my breath. Well pissed or not, I hadn’t expected him to be standing right there, waiting like some shadowy executioner.

For a moment, he watched me with those ice-blue eyes and didn’t even bother to hide his annoyance.

“You are late.” he stated flatly.

Typical.

I narrowed my eyes. “No one told me we were on a strict schedule.” I shot back. He didn’t respond.

Instead, he pushed off the wall and in a blur of motion that barely registered, he grabbed my hand, yanking me forward with inhuman speed.

My feet barely touched the ground as he pulled me through the halls and out into the open air. Everything around me zoomed in, becoming a blur of colors and shapes.

He wouldn't kill me, would he?