Chapter 3: The Storm Breaks

The echoes of gunfire rattled the grand estate, sending a chill of anticipation through Isabella’s spine. She had waited for this moment for years, prayed for the day she would be free of Moretti’s grasp. Now, as the battle raged outside her prison, she knew freedom was within reach.

Her fingers curled tightly around the hilt of the dagger she had taken from the drawer. The weight of it was unfamiliar, but determination coursed through her veins. She wouldn’t be a victim anymore.

The cold metal collar around her neck was a constant reminder of her captivity. Moretti had locked it on her the moment she was brought here, a symbol of his claim. She had tried countless times to break it, but it was reinforced with suppressants, designed to keep her Omega scent muted, her strength diminished. But none of that mattered now—she would fight, with or without her full strength.

The hallway beyond her door was filled with frantic shouting. Moretti’s men scrambled to hold off the attack, their boots pounding against the marble floors. Isabella’s pulse thrummed as she pressed herself against the wall, listening. She had to act fast—Luca was coming, but she couldn’t rely on him alone.

A flash of memory overtook her, a moment from her childhood when she and Luca had snuck into his father’s study.

Flashback: Childhood Memory

“Come on, Isa, we don’t have much time,” Luca whispered, his fingers curled around her wrist as they tiptoed across the vast office. The room smelled of cigars and leather, the bookshelves looming over them like silent guardians.

“Are you sure this is a good idea?” Isabella whispered back, eyes wide.

Luca grinned, mischief glinting in his golden eyes. “No. But if we want to be warriors one day, we have to learn how to fight.”

He led her to the large oak desk, pulling open a drawer with careful precision. Inside, a sleek knife gleamed under the dim light. He picked it up, testing the weight in his palm before handing it to her.

“Hold it like this,” he instructed, wrapping his hands around hers. “You don’t just use strength—you use precision. Know when to strike, and never hesitate.”

Isabella swallowed, nodding as she absorbed his words.

“I’ll always protect you,” he said seriously. “But if I’m not there, I need you to be able to protect yourself.”

Present Day

The memory ignited a fire within her. She was done waiting for someone to save her—she would fight for herself.

The door burst open, and one of Moretti’s guards stormed in, gun raised. His eyes landed on her, widening slightly before he sneered. “You’re not going anywhere.”

He took a step forward, but Isabella was faster. She lunged, driving the dagger deep into his side. He let out a strangled gasp, staggering back as blood bloomed through his shirt. With a pained groan, he collapsed to the floor.

Her breath came in sharp bursts as she stepped over his body, her hands trembling but her resolve stronger than ever. She snatched up his gun, checking the clip the way she had seen Luca do countless times before.

Outside, the fight raged on. The estate was in chaos, Moretti’s men desperately trying to fend off the intruders. She heard the unmistakable sound of Luca’s growl—deep, commanding, full of wrath. Her heart clenched.

She moved quickly, her bare feet silent against the marble floors as she slipped through the corridors, sticking to the shadows. She had spent years trapped in this estate; she knew its layout better than anyone. There was a secret passage behind the library that led straight to the back gardens. If she could make it there, she could escape into the woods, where Luca’s men were sure to be waiting.

She rounded a corner—only to come face to face with Emilio Moretti himself.

His lips curled into a wicked grin. “And where do you think you’re going, my sweet Omega?”

Fear clawed at her throat, but she forced herself to stand tall. “I’m not yours.”

He chuckled darkly. “You always say that. And yet, you’re still here.”

A gunshot rang out. Not from Moretti, not from her. From behind him.

His expression twisted in shock as he staggered forward, a bullet wound blooming in his shoulder. Behind him, golden eyes burned with fury.

Luca.

She had never seen him like this before—his usual cold, calculated demeanor was gone, replaced by something raw and feral. His suit was splattered with blood, his breathing heavy, muscles tense with rage.

Moretti tried to turn, but Luca was faster. He grabbed him by the throat, slamming him into the wall with enough force to crack the plaster. “You stole her from me.”

Moretti gasped, clawing at Luca’s iron grip. “She was never yours to begin with.”

Wrong answer.

With a vicious snarl, Luca tightened his hold, his claws extending slightly as his Alpha instincts took over. Moretti let out a strangled sound, his face turning red.

Isabella took a step forward, placing a hand on Luca’s arm. “Luca.”

His head snapped toward her, eyes dark with unrestrained fury. But at the sight of her—alive, strong, standing beside him—some of that rage melted away. His grip loosened just enough for Moretti to slump against the wall, unconscious but alive.

Isabella swallowed hard, suddenly aware of the weight around her throat. The collar. Her fingers trembled as she touched it.

Luca’s gaze dropped to the metal band, his jaw tightening. Without a word, he reached into his pocket, pulling out a small blade. His eyes met hers, silent understanding passing between them before he slid the blade into the lock. A sharp click echoed in the hallway.

The collar fell to the floor with a dull clang.

A shudder ran through Isabella as the suppressants faded, her Omega scent flooding the air. Luca inhaled sharply, his eyes darkening with emotion.

“Let’s go,” Isabella whispered. “I just want to leave.”

Luca exhaled sharply before nodding. Wrapping an arm around her, he guided her toward the exit, his touch firm yet gentle. The war wasn’t over, but at this moment, she was free.

And she was finally back where she belonged.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***