Victoria
My legs were still wobbly when we descended from the private jet hours later. Leo’s arm around my waist was both supportive and possessive as we made our way down the stairs to the sun-drenched tarmac of the private Greek airfield.
"I can’t believe we just did that," I whispered, my cheeks heating at the mory of our mid-flight activities.
"Believe it," Leo murmured, his lips brushing my ear. "That was just the appetizer, sweetheart."
The diterranean sun caressed my skin with gentle warmth as we walked toward the waiting luxury SUV. I breathed in deeply, savoring the unfamiliar scents of sea salt, olive groves, and distant wildflowers. After years of being trapped within the confines of Howlthorne territory, the freedom to travel with my mate felt almost surreal.
"It’s beautiful," I sighed, leaning into Leo’s embrace.
"Wait until you see the villa," he replied, his voice rich with satisfaction. "It’s right on the water, completely private. Just us and the Aegean Sea."
"You an we’re not staying in a hotel?" I asked, surprised.
His mouth curved smugly. "Why would I settle for a hotel when I own property here?"
I stopped short. "You bought a villa? When—"
"Correction," he cut in smoothly. "I’ve owned it for years. My retreat when the pack becos... overwhelming. But I’ve never shared it with anyone. Until you."
The significance of his words wasn’t lost on . For Leo to share sothing so personal, a sanctuary he’d kept private even from his closest pack mbers, spoke volus about his trust in our bond.
We were almost at the vehicle when I sensed a presence approaching from our left. Leo tensed beside , his posture shifting subtly to place his body between and the potential threat.
"Well, well, well," ca a mocking voice. "If it isn’t the great Alpha Moretti and his... unusual choice of mate."
I turned to see a tall, powerfully built man striding toward us, his expression a mixture of contempt and calculation. Though I’d never t him personally, I recognized him imdiately from pack council photos: Richard Kane, Alpha of Stone Lake Pack, a notorious purist who believed in keeping bloodlines "clean."
Leo’s jaw tightened, his voice dangerously calm when he spoke. "Alpha Kane. What an unpleasant surprise."
"The feeling is mutual, I assure you," Kane replied, his gaze raking over dismissively.
I felt Ava rise within , bristling at the insult. My fingers tingled with the energy of my forest spirit heritage, but I kept my expression neutral. "Alpha Kane, I presu? "
Kane’s lip curled. "No need for introductions. Your... reputation precedes you, Victoria Howlthorne. Or should I say Luna Moretti now? The hybrid who sohow managed to snag the most eligible Alpha in the northern territories."
Leo growled, the sound low and threatening. "Choose your next words very carefully, Kane. That’s my Luna you’re disrespecting."
Kane scoffed. "Luna? Please. A true Luna cos from proper bloodlines, not so forest spirit mongrel—"
"Is there a point to this charming ambush?" I cut in coldly, refusing to let him see how his words stung. "Or did you travel all this way just to demonstrate your stunning lack of manners?"
Kane’s eyes narrowed. "Always so direct. Very well. I’ll get to the point. I want the mining rights to the northern quadrant of Marcus Grimwood’s forr territory. Since Shadow Pack now controls those assets, you can sign them over to ."
I exchanged a quick glance with Leo. Marcus had been defeated just weeks ago, his territory divided among several packs for stability. The northern quadrant contained valuable iron deposits—clearly Kane was wasting no ti in making power grabs.
"The mining rights are being reviewed by the council," Leo stated flatly. "No decisions will be made without proper consideration of the environntal impact and the needs of the local pack mbers."
"Environntal impact?" Kane snorted. "Since when does the mighty Shadow Pack care about a few trees and streams?"
"Since my mate taught their value," Leo replied, pulling closer to his side. "Now, if you’ll excuse us, we’re on our honeymoon."
Kane stepped forward, blocking our path to the car. "I don’t think you understand, Moretti. I’m not asking. Those mines should have been mine when we defeated Marcus. I won’t let so half-breed witch’s influence deny what I deserve."
I felt sothing snap inside .
"You know what, Alpha Kane?" I said sweetly, feeling the forest energy respond to my emotions. "I think you need to cool down and reconsider your approach."
Kane laughed harshly. "And what are you going to do about it, little witch?"
I smiled, concentrating on the vegetation surrounding the airfield’s periter. Behind Kane, seemingly of their own accord, several olive tree branches began to move, slithering like serpents toward him.
"I’m going to give you a ti-out," I replied calmly.
Before Kane could respond, the branches whipped forward, one tapping him on the shoulder. When he turned in surprise, another branch delivered a stinging slap across his face, followed by several more in quick succession.
"What the—" he sputtered, but the branches were already wrapping around his limbs, efficiently binding him and dragging him toward a shaded alcove near the periter wall.
Leo watched with undisguised admiration as Kane was efficiently trussed up by my animated branches, his protests muffled as a leafy twig covered his mouth.
"You’ve been practicing," he observed, pride evident in his voice.
I flexed my fingers, feeling the connection to the plant life hum through my veins. "Emma’s been helping . We’ve had so... interesting sessions in her garden."
"Remind ," Leo murmured, his grin sharp, "never to piss you off."
I strode to Kane, crouching so my gaze t his."Let’s get sothing straight," I said softly, though my words carried enough venom to slice steel. "I don’t care what you think of . Bastard. Half-breed. Witch. Pick your poison. But if you ever threaten or mine again, the trees won’t stop at tying you up. They’ll bury you."
The vines tightened, punctuating my threat. Kane’s eyes flashed with fury, but there was a glimr of unease now.
Leo stepped up beside , towering over Kane. "And if you think I’ll ever hand you land, you’re more delusional than I thought. My Luna speaks. That’s law enough."
With a flick of my hand, the branches loosened and dropped him unceremoniously onto the ground. Kane stumbled, humiliated, his face blotched red from the slaps.
"You’ll regret this," he spat, gathering what dignity he could. "Neither of you understands the enemies you’re making."
Leo’s smirk was pure danger. "Then let them co. They’ll find out quickly enough that Shadow Pack doesn’t kneel. And neither does my mate."
Kane’s glare lingered on , promising future conflict, before he stord away toward a sleek black car waiting at the edge of the runway.
The second he was gone, Leo’s arm slid possessively around again, his lips brushing my temple. "You were magnificent."
I exhaled, the adrenaline finally ebbing. "You’re not mad I turned him into a garden ornant?"
"Mad?" His chuckle rumbled deep in his chest. "Sweetheart, watching you put him in his place might’ve been the highlight of my year."
Warmth blood through , stronger than the Greek sun.
"Co on," Leo said, guiding toward the SUV. "Let’s get to the villa."
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