Chapter 10 - THE QUEEN OF BLACKWOODSix months later, the sun shone brightly over the manicured lawns of the Philadelphia suburbs.
Natalie stood on the back patio of her new home, sipping coffee as she watched Liam chase a tennis ball with Goliath across the sprawling green grass. Her life of double shifts, sleepless nights, and crushing debt was nothing more than a distant, faded nightmare.
A pair of strong arms wrapped gently around her waist from behind, and a familiar chin rested softly on her shoulder.
“You’re staring off into space again,” Dante whispered, pressing a warm kiss to her temple.
“Just thinking about how crazy life is,” Natalie murmured, leaning back into his embrace, feeling safe, protected, and completely cherished. “If Goliath hadn't decided to dig in that exact spot in the Blackwood Forest... none of this would have happened.”
Dante smiled, turning her around to face him. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, elegant velvet box, opening it to reveal a stunning diamond ring centered around a custom-engraved gold band featuring a subtle, elegant wolf holding a dagger.
“Fate has a funny way of bringing the right pack together,” Dante said softly, looking deep into her eyes. “I’ve spent my whole life protecting an empire built on blood and shadows. But standing here with you and your boy... I finally know what it means to have a home.”
Natalie’s breath caught in her throat. She looked at the ring, then up at the man who had risked everything to keep her safe.
“Is this a mob proposal, Moretti?” she teased, a playful smirk touching her lips.
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“The kind you can’t refuse,” Dante replied, his eyes dancing with love and absolute devotion.
Natalie smiled, throwing her arms around his neck as Goliath bounded over, barking happily in approval, completing the pack once and for all.
