Chapter 24
Isabella’s POV
Every muscle in my body ached.
By the time my training session with Alessandro ended, I was sore, exhausted, and drenched in sweat. I had never been in a fight before—never even thought about fighting—but Alessandro had made it clear that I had no choice. If I wanted to survive in this world, I had to learn how to defend myself.
I sat on the mat, trying to catch my breath as he paced in front of me, completely unfazed by our training. Of course, he was. Alessandro moved like a predator—calculated, precise, always in control. Meanwhile, I had barely managed to stay on my feet.
“You did well today,” he said, tossing me a towel.
I groaned, wiping the sweat from my face.
“Are you sure? Because it felt like I was just getting thrown around the entire time.”
His lips twitched in amusement.
“That’s part of the process. You won’t get stronger overnight, Isabella. But you’re learning.” I sighed, leaning back on my hands.
“You’re relentless.”
“I have to be.” He crouched down in front of me, his dark blue eyes locking onto mine. “Because the people after you won’t go easy on you either.”
His words sent a chill through me, reminding me of the danger that still lingered outside these walls. Romanio, the Hell’s Pit council, Nadia—none of them had given up on finding me. And now, knowing what I was—a dominant omega—they had even more reason to want me back.
I swallowed hard, gripping the towel in my hands.
“Do you think they’ll come for me?”
Alessandro’s expression darkened.
“ I know they will.”
The certainty in his voice sent a shiver down my spine.
I had spent so long fighting to escape Hell’s Pit, only to realize that the battle was far from over. If anything, it was just beginning.
Alessandro reached out, gently tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear. His touch was warm, grounding.
“That’s why I need you to be ready,” he said softly.
I nodded.
“I will be.” He studied me for a long moment before standing up.
“Come on. Let’s get you cleaned up.”
\---
After a much-needed shower, I changed into a comfortable sweater and leggings before heading downstairs. Alessandro had told me to meet him in his office after I was done, and though I wasn’t sure why, I had a feeling it wasn’t for another training session.
As I approached the door, I hesitated. I had never actually been inside his office before. The house itself was massive, filled with luxurious rooms and halls, but Alessandro’s office always felt… off-limits.
I took a deep breath before knocking.
“Come in Isabella,” his deep voice called from inside.
I pushed the door open and stepped in, my eyes immediately drawn to the massive bookshelf lining one of the walls. The room was sleek and minimalistic, decorated in dark tones, yet somehow still felt warm. A large desk sat in the center, stacks of documents neatly arranged on top.
Alessandro was seated behind it, flipping through a file. He looked up when I entered, his gaze sharp yet unreadable.
“You came,” he said, motioning for me to sit.
I walked over and settled into the chair across from him.
“What’s this about?” He slid a file toward me.
“Your uncle.” I stiffened at the mention of Draco, my fingers curling into fists. Just hearing his name sent a wave of anger and bitterness through me.
“What about him?” I asked, my voice colder than I intended. Alessandro leaned back in his chair, watching me carefully.
“He’s been trying to contact you.” I blinked, my heart skipping a beat.
“What?”
“He came to the estate two days ago,” Alessandro said. “Begging to see you.” I scoffed, shaking my head.
“Of course he did.”
Draco Rossi wasn’t a man who begged. He was a man who manipulated, who used people until they were nothing but husks of themselves. And now, after everything he had done to me, he had the audacity to show up at Alessandro’s estate?
I looked up at him.
“What did you say?”
“I didn’t let him in,” Alessandro replied. “But I had my men follow him.”
He tapped the file in front of me.
“This is everything we found on him. His financial records, his debts, his connections.” I hesitated before flipping open the file. My eyes skimmed over the reports, my stomach twisting at what I read. Draco was drowning in debt, owing money to several dangerous people.
“He’s desperate,” Alessandro said. “Which makes him unpredictable.” I swallowed hard, my mind racing. Draco had already sold me once to save himself. If he was desperate now, who knew what he was capable of?
I closed the file, my hands trembling slightly.
“What do we do?” Alessandro’s jaw tightened.
“That depends on you.” I frowned.
“What do you mean?” He leaned forward, his eyes dark and serious.
“You have a choice, Isabella. We can make him disappear. Or we can let him live.” I froze.
Make him disappear.
I knew exactly what that meant.
Alessandro was giving me the power to decide Draco’s fate. He was giving me the chance to end the man who had ruined my life.
For a long moment, I didn’t say anything. The weight of his words pressed down on me, suffocating. I had dreamed of this moment for years—dreamed of the day Draco would finally suffer the way I had suffered.
And yet…
I took a deep breath, my fingers tightening around the edges of the file.
“No,” I said finally. Alessandro’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“No?” I shook my head.
“I don’t want him dead.”
Alessandro studied me for a long moment before nodding.
“Then what do you want?” I exhaled slowly.
“I want him to suffer. But not like this. I want him to know that he can never hurt me again. That no matter how much he tries to crawl back into my life, he has no power over me anymore.”
Alessandro’s lips curled slightly, something dark flickering in his gaze.
“That can be arranged.”
A chill ran down my spine. I had no doubt that whatever Alessandro had planned for Draco, it wouldn’t be merciful.
But for the first time, I felt something other than fear when I thought of my uncle.
I felt… free.
\---
Later that night, I stood on the balcony, watching the moon rise. The air was cool, crisp, carrying the scent of jasmine from the garden below.
I heard footsteps behind me. A moment later,
Alessandro’s warmth pressed against my back as he stood beside me.
“You made the right choice,” he murmured. I turned to look at him.
“How do you know?” His gaze was steady.
“Because mercy is harder than vengeance.” I swallowed, his words settling deep in my chest.
For years, I had believed that power came from hurting those who hurt you. But now, as I stood here with Alessandro by my side, I realized that true power came from walking away.
From surviving.
And for the first time in my life, I truly felt like I had.