The scent of blood and whiskey lingered in the dimly lit club, mixing with the heavy bass pounding through the speakers. Luca Valentino sat in his private booth, fingers curled around a glass of scotch, his sharp golden eyes scanning the room. He had spent years ruling the underworld, carving his place as the Alpha King of the Valentino mafia. Yet, the void in his chest remained—a hollow ache that no conquest or bloodshed could ever fill.

Isabella.

Her name was a whisper in his mind, a ghost that haunted him through sleepless nights and endless battles. It had been ten years since she was ripped from his life, stolen away, and sold like a piece of property. He had searched every dark alley, every underground auction, but she had vanished without a trace, until tonight.

Dante, his most trusted enforcer, slid into the booth across from him, his expression grim. "We found her."

Luca's entire body tensed, his grip on the glass tightening until it nearly shattered. "Where?"

Dante hesitated for the briefest moment before answering. "In Emilio Moretti’s estate."

Rage burned through Luca’s veins like wildfire. Moretti. The bastard who had been a thorn in his side for years, a rival Alpha who thrived on trafficking Omegas, bending them to his will. Luca had always despised him, but now, knowing he had her—it was a declaration of war.

"She's been there for years, Luca. Kept under heavy guard. They say Moretti claims her as his prize, his personal Omega."

The words sent a deep, primal growl rumbling in Luca’s chest. His wolf raged, demanding blood, demanding vengeance. No one had the right to claim what was his. No one.

His mind raced with memories of Isabella—the way her soft laughter had once filled the air, the way her scent had wrapped around him like the sweetest of temptations. He had sworn to protect her, and he had failed. But now, he would make things right.

Flashback: Ten Years Ago

A young Luca, barely sixteen, stood by the lake behind his family estate, watching as Isabella twirled barefoot in the grass. She laughed, the sound like music to his ears, her long dark curls bouncing with each spin. The moonlight made her hazel eyes glow like liquid gold.

“You’ll fall,” he warned, arms crossed but amusement tugging at his lips.

Isabella stuck her tongue out at him. “You always worry too much, Luca.”

With a sigh, he reached for her hand, pulling her toward him. “That’s because you’re my Omega. One day, I’m going to claim you, and no one will ever take you from me.”

Her smile softened as she gazed up at him. “Promise?”

He cupped her cheek, his thumb brushing against her soft skin. “I swear it.”

Present Day

Luca’s jaw clenched as he snapped back to the present. He had failed that promise, but he would not fail her again.

"Get the team ready," he ordered his voice like ice. "We're bringing her home."

Dante nodded and left without another word. Luca sat there for a moment longer, finishing his drink in one swift gulp before rising to his feet. The air around him crackled with unrestrained fury. Tonight, Moretti would pay for his sins. And Isabella would finally be his again.

Isabella sat near the grand window of her lavish prison, the moonlight casting a silver glow over her delicate features. She had long since stopped dreaming of escape—after so many years of failed attempts, of punishments that left both physical and emotional scars, she had accepted her fate.

The Omega in her had longed for freedom, but Moretti was a possessive Alpha, one who never let his prized possessions go. The collar around her neck was proof of that—a cruel reminder that she belonged to him. Or so he thought.

She still dreamed of Luca. Of his touch, his scent, the way he had once sworn to protect her. But dreams were cruel things, and reality had no place for fairy tales.

Flashback: Childhood Memory

Isabella sat on a wooden swing, gripping the rope tightly as Luca pushed her higher. The night air was crisp, the stars twinkling above them like scattered diamonds.

“Higher, Luca!” she giggled, kicking her feet.

Luca smirked. “If I push you any higher, you’ll fly away.”

She laughed, throwing her head back. “Then you’ll have to catch me!”

Luca caught the swing, stopping her abruptly. His expression turned serious as he knelt before her. “I will always catch you, Isabella. No matter where you go, I’ll find you.”

She beamed, believing him with all her heart.

Believing he will be always there for her, with her.

Present Day

A knock at the door startled her, and she turned just as Moretti stepped inside. His dark eyes gleamed with satisfaction as he approached. "You’ve been quiet tonight, my pet. Are you finally learning your place?"

She remained silent, knowing any response would only amuse him further. Her hands clenched into fists in her lap, the fire inside her dim but not completely extinguished.

Moretti smirked, reaching for her chin and tilting her face upward. "You're mine, Isabella. The sooner you accept that, the better."

A sudden explosion shook the walls, cutting off whatever smug words he had planned to say. The room trembled, the sound of gunfire piercing through the night.

Her heart pounded. Could it be—?

Moretti cursed, turning sharply. "Stay here."

As he stormed out, Isabella rushed to the window, pressing her hands against the glass. Her breath hitched as she spotted the dark figures moving through the courtyard. And there, leading the charge, was a man she thought she would never see again.

Luca.

Tears stung her eyes, but she didn’t dare blink, afraid he would disappear like a cruel mirage.

He had come for her.

And this time, she wouldn’t let him go.

She whirled around, scanning the room for something—anything—she could use. Her heartbeat drummed in her ears. If Luca was fighting his way to her, she would not sit idly by. Not anymore.

Grabbing a small dagger hidden in a drawer, she pressed her back against the door, waiting. When the moment came, she would fight for her freedom, too.

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.