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STEFANO POV

I sat on the bed, watching my amazing Luna pack her clothes into a leather bag. My own bag was already packed, so I simply enjoyed the view as I spoke through the mind link with Antonio.

“He regained consciousness just a few hours ago, and now that fool insists on coming with us,” Antonio’s voice groaned in my head.

I exhaled slowly. “I didn’t tell Gianna that you found him a few days ago. No one could say for sure whether or not he’d wake up, so...”

“She’ll understand, Stefano,” Antonio reassured me.

“She’s still processing Maria’s betrayal and Chiara’s death. I figured you didn’t want her to worry about Davide too.”

I cursed softly, running my fingers through my hair. “So where is that fool now?”

“Most likely headed to your chambers. Corrado and Ennio tried to stop him, but he threatened to punch them if they blocked his way.”

I pinched the bridge of my nose in frustration. “Damn it... I’ll have to warn Gianna before this idiot shows up in our room.”

A rough chuckle filtered through the link. “Good luck with that.”

Taking a deep breath, I walked over to Gianna, wrapping my arms around her from behind, burying my face in her neck. “There’s something I need to tell you,” I murmured.

She continued packing, not looking up. “What is it?”

“I think it’d be better if you sat down,” I said, gently taking her hand and guiding her toward the bed.

Her lips curved in a nervous smile as she met my gaze. “Tell me, Stefano. What’s going on?”

“I didn’t want to tell you right away, but after I brought you here, I sent a group to Netsville to rescue those left behind,” I began, carefully watching her expression. “Thankfully, Alpha Matteo and Alvise were occupied elsewhere, so we managed to get more than thirty people out.”

She took a shaky breath, nodding. “That’s good. I’m glad.”

Sitting beside her, I took her hand in mine. “We also found Davide... He looked like he’d been tortured.”

Her breath caught in her throat, and her eyes filled with tears. “Oh Goddess... Is he...?”

I squeezed her hand gently. “He woke up just a few hours ago. We didn’t know if he’d make it, but... it seems like he’s damn hard to kill.”

She let out a small laugh, a few tears slipping down her cheeks.

“He never made it to my room that night in Netsville,” she murmured, her voice soft with sadness. “Alvise’s men must have gotten to him.”

I nodded grimly. “They tried to use him to get to you. When he refused, they beat him. And then they used Maria. They thought he was dead, so they just left him in the woods. That’s the only reason he survived.”

Her tears flowed freely now, but she quickly wiped them away. “Where is he now?”

I gave a wry smile. “Probably headed to our chambers. He insists on joining us for the trip to Alitos.”

She frowned, disbelief crossing her features. “Is he insane? He was nearly dead! He should be recovering, not riding into battle!”

I crossed my arms over my chest. “Then I suggest you tell him that.”

The knock at the door interrupted me before I could say anything more. Cursing under my breath, I opened it, gesturing for Davide to enter. He bowed with a respect I’d never seen from him before and limped in.

His movements were slow, deliberate. He had clearly been through hell. According to the healer, his left leg had been shattered, but somehow, he was still walking. His cheek and neck were marred by deep scars, but aside from that, he looked surprisingly well. I had clearly underestimated his wolf’s healing abilities.

“Luna Gianna,” he said hoarsely, bowing his head respectfully before her. “I assume Alpha Stefano is against my participation—”

“You assume correctly,” I cut in.

“—but I’m begging you to allow me to join you,” he continued, offering a faint, pleading smile.

Gianna sighed. “Davide... I’m glad you’re alive, but I’d rather you stay that way. You’re not fully recovered yet.”

“I can be useful,” he insisted. “Let’s face it. The resistance isn’t going to believe the Bloody General wants to help them.”

“I’ve been helping them from the start, you idiot,” I growled, not able to resist.

He gave me a brief, wry smile before turning back to Gianna. “They won’t trust the General’s mate either. You need me. You need someone who didn’t trust Alpha Stefano for years, someone who changed their mind.”

I clenched my jaw. As much as I hated admitting it, he had a point. I looked at Gianna, and I didn’t need to link with her to know what she was thinking.

She took a deep breath, glancing at Davide’s injured leg and the other visible signs of his recovery. “Are you sure you can handle long hours on horseback like this?”

He nodded and grinned. “I’m strong. I can handle almost anything.”

Gianna shot me a crooked smile before turning back to him. “Alright, Davide. Pack your things. We’re leaving in an hour.”



I spent the next half hour arguing with my stubborn mate before we were finally ready to go. She’d insisted on riding separately, but I refused. I knew she could ride on her own, but after nearly losing her, I wasn’t taking any chances. She called my demands ridiculous, but I remained firm.

Finally, when the rest of the group grew impatient, she relented, and I was relieved to have her close, riding by my side for the long journey to Cherry Mountain.

The group of thirty warriors that had traveled with us stayed behind as Gianna, Davide, Antonio, and I walked the final stretch of the road. Asena led the way, and we hoped that whoever stood at the warded gates of Alitos would recognize her. Thankfully, the wards were lowered, revealing a large iron gate and a sprawling estate behind it.

A silent guard led us through, but as soon as Antonio and I joined Gianna’s side, more warriors appeared to escort us to their leader.

“Gianna!” A red-haired woman ran toward us, arms wide. I recognized her immediately. Livia. Unfortunately, she recognized me and Antonio as well. When her eyes locked on mine, she froze, stumbling back.

“You... you’re General Alpha Stefano!” she stammered, her shock palpable.

Shit. This could go south quickly.

“Stop it!” Gianna growled, stepping forward protectively. “He’s my mate, and we didn’t come here to fight!”

I pulled her close, eyeing the surrounding warriors. I could take them down in seconds, but that wouldn’t convince them to help.

“What’s going on here?” A tall, broad-shouldered man strode toward us, his presence commanding. As his gaze fell on Gianna, his stern expression softened into a smile.

“Fates, I’m glad you’re alright!” he said, pulling Gianna into a tight hug.

My instinct was to pull him away, but he stepped back quickly, noticing the storm in my eyes. He shifted his attention to me.

“Alpha Stefano,” he acknowledged with a curt nod.

“Former Alpha Alessandro,” I replied, the corner of my mouth twitching into a smirk.

He chuckled and signaled for his warriors to stand down, his eyes softening as they lingered on Gianna. “I assume you’ve come to talk?”

“We have,” she answered firmly.

He raised a brow. “About what?”

“Uniting the resistance to fight against Alpha Matteo’s army,” I interjected, taking Gianna’s hand and threading my fingers with hers.

A gasp spread through the courtyard. Gianna’s sister stepped forward, her arms crossed, eyeing me with distrust. “And who is going to lead us to victory?” Her voice dripped with skepticism.

“We will,” I said, standing tall with Gianna beside me. “We have our own army, but we’re too small to take down the false king. We need more warriors.”

“So, you came here to lead us into battle and die for you?” one of the warriors sneered.

I locked eyes with him. “You’re welcome to stay here and wait for your inevitable death, but it’s only a matter of time before Alpha Matteo’s army takes you out one by one.”

Antonio’s voice came through the link, sounding worried. “I don’t think you’ll win them over like this.”

I gave him a dry smile. “I don’t care. They’re making me angry. Don’t they get it? They can either unite with us and fight, or they can die.”

Alessandro narrowed his eyes. “I think you underestimate our strength.”

Gianna stepped forward, her gaze meeting everyone’s with quiet determination.

“I know what you’re capable of,” she said, her voice steady. “But it’s not enough against the false king’s army. And whether you like it or not, Alpha Stefano is a great leader. He can lead us to victory.”

A grin spread across my face. I hated praise, but I could easily drown in it when it came from her.

Unfortunately, her words did little to sway the warriors.

Then, to my shock, Davide stepped forward, placing a hand on my shoulder.

“I know you don’t trust the Bloody General,” he began, speaking directly to the warriors. “I spent years hating this man, too.”

I nearly growled through the mind link. “What the hell are you doing?”

“Telling the truth,” he smirked. “Trust me.”

The tension in the air thickened as Davide addressed the group.

“I thought I was a spy, stealing information from Alpha Stefano’s camp,” he continued. “I thought I was working for the resistance. But in reality, I was working for him.” He pointed at me, and another murmur ran through the crowd. “Alpha Stefano left that information for me to find, to warn you all when his army was coming. He sacrificed his reputation and his soul to dismantle Alpha Matteo’s plans from within.” He looked at me and bowed his head, then turned back to the group. “Alpha Stefano is not your enemy. He’s the reason the resistance is still standing.”