Chapter 28

Isabella’s POV

The decision had been made.  

No more hiding. No more waiting.  

Romanio and Nadia had taken everything from me—my freedom, my choices, my belief in my own strength. But I had reclaimed all of that. And now, it was time to make sure they never had the chance to take anything from me again.  

Alessandro drove in silence, his hands gripping the wheel, his dark blue eyes fixed on the road ahead. I could feel the shift in him, the energy in the car charged with something dangerous. Determination.  

War.  

By the time we reached the estate, my body still ached from the fight, but my mind was sharper than ever. The fear I had once carried was gone, replaced by something fiercer.  

I was done running.  

Carlos was waiting at the entrance when we pulled in, his sharp eyes flicking between Alessandro and me.  

“You’re back early,” he noted, but there was no surprise in his tone.  Alessandro cut the engine and stepped out, his voice steady. 

“Call a meeting. Everyone. Now.”  

Carlos’s brow lifted slightly, but he didn’t question it. He nodded and disappeared into the house.  I followed Alessandro inside, my heart pounding. This was happening.  

Minutes later, we were gathered in the main war room. The walls were lined with maps and security feeds, weapons carefully stored but within reach. Alessandro stood at the head of the room, a storm brewing behind his eyes.  

Carlos, Marco, and a few of Alessandro’s most trusted men sat around the long table, their expressions unreadable.  

“This isn’t just about revenge,” Alessandro started, his voice calm but edged with steel. “It’s about sending a message. Romanio thought he could take what was mine. He thought he could challenge me and walk away unscathed. It’s time to remind him who the real king is.”  

A murmur of agreement spread through the room.  

Carlos leaned forward, hands clasped. 

“What’s the plan?”  Alessandro glanced at me before answering. 

“We hit them first. Hard.”  

A map was spread across the table, marking key locations under Romanio’s control. His warehouses. His men. His power.  Carlos pointed at one of the locations. 

“This is his biggest operation. Weapons and trafficking. He won’t expect an attack there.”  

Alessandro nodded. “Then that’s where we start.”  

The conversation turned into strategy—positions, weapons, the element of surprise. But as they spoke, I felt something growing inside me.  

I wasn’t just here to listen. I wasn’t just here to be protected. I was part of this now.  I straightened. 

“I want to be there.”  

Silence.  

All eyes turned to me.  

Alessandro’s jaw tensed. 

“No.”  I crossed my arms. 

“Yes.”  His voice was sharp. 

“You’re not ready.”  

“I just won my first fight tonight,” I countered. “I can do this.”  Marco smirked. 

“She’s got a point.” Alessandro shot him a glare. 

“Stay out of this.”  Marco held up his hands in surrender, clearly enjoying the tension.  

I took a step closer, my voice steady. 

“Alessandro, I’m not a helpless omega anymore. I need to do this.”  His eyes darkened, but there was something else there.

Carlos spoke up. 

“If she comes, she stays back. No front-line action.”  

Alessandro exhaled slowly, rubbing a hand over his jaw.  

I could see the war raging inside him. The instinct to protect me, to keep me away from danger. But also, the knowledge that keeping me caged wouldn’t work anymore.  

Finally, he looked at me. 

“Fine. But you listen to every order given to you. No heroics. 

Understood?”  I nodded. 

“Understood.”  

Carlos chuckled. 

“Well, this just got interesting.”  

Alessandro shot him another glare before turning back to the table. 

“We move at midnight.”  

The room buzzed with energy as final preparations were made. Weapons were checked, men were briefed, and plans were locked into place.  

By the time midnight arrived, I stood at the edge of something life-changing.  

This wasn’t just a fight.  

This was war.  

\---  

We moved in silence.  

Dressed in all black, we blended into the shadows as we approached Romanio’s warehouse. The air was thick with tension, every footstep calculated, every movement sharp.  

Alessandro led the way, his presence commanding. He was born for this—war, strategy, control.  

I stayed close to Carlos, my heart pounding as we neared the building.  

The warehouse loomed ahead, heavily guarded but unaware of what was coming.  

Alessandro gave the signal.  The first shot rang out.  

Chaos erupted.  

Gunfire split through the night, men shouting as Alessandro’s forces stormed the building. The scent of gunpowder filled the air as bodies hit the ground.  

I stayed back as instructed, my gun clutched tightly in 

my hands.  

Carlos was beside me, taking down enemies with brutal precision. 

“Stay close,” he warned.  I nodded, my fingers trembling slightly, but I held firm.  

A man rushed toward us, his gun raised.  

Instinct took over.  

I raised my own gun and fired.  

The bullet hit him square in the chest. He stumbled, eyes wide in shock before collapsing.  

My breath came in ragged gasps. 

My first kill.  

Carlos glanced at me, nodding in approval. 

“Not bad.”  I barely had time to process it before more men came.  

Everything blurred into a whirlwind of violence. Alessandro moved like a shadow, cutting through his enemies with terrifying efficiency.  

I lost track of time, lost track of everything except the fight.  

And then—  

An explosion rocked the building.  I stumbled, the ground shaking beneath my feet. Flames burst through one of the side walls, sending debris flying.  

Through the chaos, I saw him.  

Romanio.  

He was standing at the far end of the warehouse, watching everything unfold with a sneer. His dark eyes locked onto me, recognition flashing across his face.  

He didn’t hesitate.  

He ran.  

“Romanio!” Alessandro roared, already moving.  

I didn’t think.  

I ran too.  

Carlos shouted my name, but I ignored him.  I chased after Romanio, my heart hammering.  

He slipped through a side door, and I followed, my grip tightening on my gun.  

The corridor was dark, the only sound my own rapid breaths. 

Then, a hand grabbed me from behind.  I gasped, struggling as an arm wrapped around my throat.  

“Did you miss me, little omega?” a voice purred against my ear.  

Nadia.  

Ice shot through my veins.  I fought, kicking and thrashing, but her grip was strong.

“Alessandro took you from me,” she hissed. “But don’t worry, little wolf. I’ll be taking you back.”  

Before I could scream, darkness swallowed me whole.