83

83
Gianna’s POV

A small smile tugged at the corner of my lips as I listened to Davide’s speech. I stood beside Stefano, my gaze shifting to him, and when our eyes met, he immediately reached for my hand, intertwining our fingers. My chest swelled with emotion, and I had to fight back the tears threatening to spill. Stefano, the man who had blood on his hands, had done terrible things—killed for Alpha Matteo—but he had also saved countless lives. He’d chosen the darker path, the one that forced him into villainy, because it seemed like the only way to win in this brutal war. For years, he’d carried the weight of hatred from others, all for the sake of survival. Now, it was time for them to hear the truth. His truth.

Alessandro rubbed his beard, processing Davide’s words, his gaze calm and calculating. I knew him to be a reasonable man, one who wouldn’t be swayed by public opinion, but the warriors around him were a different story. Hostility dripped from their every glance, and none of Davide’s words seemed to soften the anger written on their faces.

"For now, I believe you didn’t come here for bloodshed," Alessandro said, his eyes flicking from me to Stefano and back again. "But words alone won’t earn my trust, nor will they convince others. You’ll need more than that. I’ll call for an official meeting tonight. Then, you’ll explain everything, and we’ll vote on whether to join your cause."

A sharp breath escaped me as I looked at Alessandro. The deep frown etched across his face stung. I thought that even if he couldn’t fully trust Stefano, he’d at least trust me. He knew me, knew my heart, yet right now, he looked at me like a stranger. That hurt more than I cared to admit.

From that moment, I fell silent, letting Antonio and Davide shoulder the weight of the conversation. The awkwardness in the air was palpable as we tried to ignore the undercurrent of hostility around us. The warriors, trying to mask their hatred, wore forced smiles, but the tension was suffocating.

When Antonio mentioned the thirty warriors who had come with us, the unease among the people of Alitos only deepened. Finally, our men were allowed entry through the gates, given temporary quarters and food, but a small army of guards watched over them closely. The journey to form this alliance was going to be more painful than I had imagined.

Livia took charge of arranging rooms for Davide, Antonio, Stefano, and me. As soon as she finished, she pulled me aside, her gaze sharp with curiosity.

"You have his mark," she said, pointing to the marking on my neck.

"And he has mine," I replied, my voice steady.

Her eyes widened before a broad smile broke out across her face. "Your spirit has woken up!"

I chuckled, nodding. "Yes, but I wish it had happened under better circumstances."

Livia gripped my hands tightly, leading me to a small bower tucked behind Alessandro’s mansion. Once we were alone, she turned to me with anticipation. "Please, tell me everything."

And so I did. I recounted everything—how Marco and the others had planned to sell me to Alpha Matteo and then kill me to weaken Stefano. I spoke of how Stefano had saved me and brought me to Netsville, only for me to be betrayed and abducted. I told her everything that happened in Daeville.

When I finished, Livia’s eyes welled with tears. She pulled me into a tight hug, her body trembling.

"I’m so sorry, Gianna," she whispered, her voice thick with guilt. "It was so stupid of me… I almost got you killed because I was naïve."

I sighed, patting her back gently. "You wanted to trust those around you. I made the same mistake with Maria."

She wiped her tears away and looked up at me. "So… you really trust Alpha Stefano now?"

The mere mention of his name sent a jolt through me, but I knew the answer with certainty. "I do," I said, my voice firm. "I’ve learned to love him, accepting both the light and the darkness in him."

A wry smile played on her lips. "Are you sure that’s not just the mate bond convincing you?"

"No," I answered, shaking my head. "Our bond is real, Livia. It’s like our hearts are connected. He couldn’t hide anything from me. I see the true him, and I accept him."

Livia took a deep breath and nodded, her expression softening. "Okay then. I’m not sure I can trust the Bloody General yet, but I trust you." She smiled and placed a hand on my shoulder. "Tonight, at least two votes are on your side: mine and Niccolo’s."

"Thank you, Sis," I murmured, a smile tugging at my lips. Having her on my side meant everything, but the real battle was just beginning. We still needed at least fifty more votes to stand a chance.

\---

The official meeting began after nightfall, the large hall buzzing with anticipation. A dais stood at the front, lined with more than a dozen rows of seats, all filled with members of the resistance. Stefano, Antonio, Davide, and I sat at the long table on the dais, positioned on the right side, while Alessandro, Edoardo, Roberto, Livia, and Niccolo took their seats across from us on the left.

I could hear the sharp mutterings and curses aimed at me and my mate. No matter how many times I told myself to ignore the venom, it still pricked at my heart. Stefano held my hand tightly, brushing his lips against my temple or forehead with each passing moment.

"I promised I’d behave, but if they keep talking shit about you, I might have to rip their tongues out," Stefano muttered through the bond, his words laced with tension.

I fought back a smile. "I don’t think tearing out their tongues will help our cause."

"It wouldn’t," he agreed, "but it would definitely silence them. You have no idea how hard it is for me not to slaughter every one of them who disrespects you. They’re alive only because you don’t want bloodshed."

I gently stroked his cheek, planting a quick kiss on his lips. "I know, and that makes me love you even more, my Alpha."

A low growl rumbled in his chest, sending a rush of heat through me. All kinds of inappropriate thoughts flashed in my mind, but at that moment, Alessandro’s cane hit the floor, signaling the start of the meeting.

Edoardo led the formal introductions, briefly explaining the purpose of our visit. Then it was Davide’s turn to speak. He told the gathered warriors about the resistance group he led, revealing his role as a spy within Alpha Stefano’s army. I could see the disbelief in some faces, and I hoped, desperately hoped, that this would lead to understanding. Maybe, just maybe, they’d agree to stand with us.

After Davide finished, Antonio rose. "There’s something else you need to know," he said, his voice steady as he surveyed the room. "The army that Alpha Stefano left in Netsville no longer exists. The warriors were told their General would be executed for treason, and most deserted or joined General Alvise’s forces in Daeville. But we’ve learned that General Emiliano is willing to side with us, especially since his sister has chosen to support the false king."

A wave of murmurs spread through the hall, but Antonio waited until the noise quieted before continuing. "There’s only one major pack territory still untouched—the Night Mist. It doesn’t technically belong to Alpha Matteo, but it’s just a matter of time before he moves in and claims it."

"But isn’t that General Emiliano’s territory?" Roberto asked.

"It is," I said, rising from my seat. "Years ago, General Emiliano made a deal with Alpha Matteo to save his pack. Alpha Matteo allowed him to rule over the Night Mist, but I believe it’s only a matter of time before he eliminates General Emiliano to take control."

At that moment, the door to the hall slammed open, and a man rushed in. Alessandro was on his feet in an instant, his cane dropping to the floor as he approached the newcomer.

"What’s happened, Quirino?" Alessandro demanded, his gaze sharp.

"Four resistance groups in the southeast… were butchered," the man gasped, struggling to catch his breath.

Alessandro’s expression darkened. "Who did this?"

"General Alvise," the man wheezed, his body trembling from exertion.

Edoardo frowned. "But those were the strongest groups in the area. They should have been able to defend themselves or at least buy enough time for reinforcements."

Quirino shook his head, his voice trembling. "They couldn’t… I don’t know how, but they said… General Alvise’s army was… too large."

Alessandro turned to us. "Is it possible that all of Alpha Stefano’s warriors joined Alvise?"

"Impossible," Stefano said, stepping forward to stand beside me. He held my hand tightly, drawing a deep breath. "But I know how Alvise’s army became so powerful."

Alessandro’s fists clenched. "How? Tell us."

Stefano met his gaze. "There can only be one reason: General Alvise’s army must have merged with Ornella Fontana’s forces. If that’s the case, it means that Alpha Matteo’s army now has more than fifteen hundred warriors."

A shocked silence filled the hall, broken only by Roberto’s panicked cry. "

Fucking Fates! We can’t face those numbers!"

"We can," Stefano said, a sly smirk tugging at his lips, "but only if you stand with us."