Chapter 54

• *Isabel*
• I nodded absently, my thoughts running wild. No, they couldn't, and not only because it would be insensitive on their part since their questions would neither bring back Stella or her unborn pup. Dante had also made himself practically unapproachable. My mind raced, turning over every moment I spent in his presence. I grimaced when I recalled my defiance and how stubborn I'd been. Still was. He definitely would have killed me if it wasn't for the mate bond and the fact that he needed my help. The signs had all been there. How had I even missed them? How many times had he pulled away when I got too close? How many times had I thought it was just him being a proud asshole or an arrogant beast?
• Suddenly, it all made sense, in a way I hadn't understood before. The wall he'd built around him, his reluctance to open up about his feelings. I'd thought he'd only been acting like a dick for the fun of it. I'd had no idea the poor mad had been through some fucked up shit. Losing his family all in one day... How had he managed to stay sane? I closed my eyes, leaning my head back against the chair. It was dumb to even think about it, but still a part of me wondered why he hadn't told me. He was still grieving her. He had to be. I might not have been able to do much, but maybe I wouldn't have been so stubborn. Maybe I would have realized he just wanted to keep the rest of his pack safe.