Victoria
The gates of the Howlthorne compound lood before us."Are you ready for this?" Tiny asked, his massive hands steady on the steering wheel as we slowed at the security checkpoint.
I drew a deep breath, feeling the weight of responsibility settle around like a mantle. "As ready as I’ll ever be."
From the backseat, Lilith leaned forward. "Rember, first impressions matter. They need to see strength, not hesitation."
Our eyes t in the rearview mirror. The advice was sound, even coming from soone who had once been my torntor. I gave her a slight nod of acknowledgnt.
As the gates swung open, I noticed the increased security presence—Leo’s doing, no doubt. Shadow Pack enforcers were strategically positioned throughout the compound, their watchful eyes scanning for any sign of threat. My mate was taking no chances with Marcus Grimwood still at large.
"I’d like to see Jackson first," I told Tiny as we pulled up to the main house. "Before addressing everyone."
Tiny nodded. "He’s been asking for you. Leo had our pack doctor checking on him hourly."
The ntion of Leo’s attentiveness ward from within. Even when physically absent, his protection surrounded like an invisible shield.
*He’s made sure everyone knows you’re his,* Ava whispered in my mind.
The main house was buzzing with activity—pack mbers moving purposefully through halls that had once felt like a prison to . They paused as I entered, surprise registering on their faces before they lowered their eyes respectfully. Not all of them seed pleased, but none dared challenge openly.
We found Jackson in the east wing, where the pack’s dical facility was located. The Beta who had always shown kindness was propped up in bed, his torso wrapped in bandages, but his eyes brightened when I entered.
"Alpha Victoria," he said, his voice weaker than I rembered but his smile genuine.
I studied his face, noting the new lines of pain around his eyes. "You shouldn’t have gotten hurt protecting ."
"You are the acting Alpha of the Howlthorne Pack," he replied simply. "And I am your Beta. I need to ensure your safety when your mate is not by your side."
His loyalty made my chest tighten with emotion. This was what real pack bonds ant—not the forced submission Enzo had demanded, but the willing sacrifice of those who believed in sothing greater than themselves.
"Well, I’m here now," I assured him, straightening my shoulders. "And things are going to change."
Jackson’s eyes moved past to where Lilith stood in the doorway, her posture stiff but her expression carefully neutral. "I see they already have," he observed quietly.
I followed his gaze. "Lilith has agreed to help ease the transition. For the good of the pack."
Tiny cleared his throat from the doorway. "The pack has assembled in the great hall, Luna. They’re waiting for your address."
The mont had co sooner than I’d expected. I squeezed Jackson’s hand once more. "Rest. Heal. I’ll need your counsel in the days ahead."
He nodded, his eyes suddenly fierce with pride. "Show them who you are, Victoria. Show them the Alpha’s daughter."
* * *
The great hall of Howlthorne house had never felt so imposing.
And now there was .
As I walked toward the platform, Lilith slightly behind to my right and Tiny a reassuring presence to my left, I could feel the weight of hundreds of eyes upon . The hall was filled to capacity—every pack mber who could attend was present, their faces showing emotions ranging from curiosity to outright hostility.
Ava surged within , lending her strength. *We belong here. This is our birthright.*
I stepped onto the platform, turning to face my father’s pack—my pack now. For a mont, I simply let them look at , let them see the changes in the half-blood girl they had dismissed for so long.
"Thank you all for coming," I began, my voice carrying clearly through the hushed space. "I know many of you have questions about the future of Howlthorne territory in these uncertain tis."
Movent at the back of the hall caught my attention—a tall, muscular wolf pushing his way forward. I recognized him as Garrett, one of Enzo’s most loyal followers.
"Questions?" he called out, his voice thick with disdain. "The only question is why we’re being addressed by a half-breed instead of a proper Alpha."
Murmurs rippled through the crowd. This was the challenge I had expected, though perhaps sooner than anticipated.
"Careful, Garrett," Tiny growled, stepping forward, but I placed a restraining hand on his arm.
"It’s alright," I said, my gaze never leaving the challenger. "Garrett has every right to ask."
I addressed the entire assembly then, my voice steady. "My father, Alpha Dominic Howlthorne, left a will that was clear. In the absence of Enzo Howlthorne, leadership of this territory falls to until such ti as a formal challenge can be issued and resolved."
"A piece of paper doesn’t make you Alpha," Garrett sneered. "Where’s your wolf? Where’s your strength? How can you protect us from Grimwood when you’re barely even a wolf yourself?"
Instead of responding imdiately, I closed my eyes, reaching deep within to where Ava waited. When I opened them again, I knew they had changed—burning with the amber glow of my wolf.
"My wolf is right here," I said, my voice taking on the dual timbre that marked the near-surface presence of Ava. "And as for strength—"
In a movent faster than most could follow, I leaped from the platform, landing directly in front of Garrett. Before he could react, my hand was at his throat, not squeezing but demonstrating I could if I chose to.
"Strength cos in many forms," I continued, holding him immobile with surprising ease. "Including knowing when not to use it."
I released him, stepping back. "I don’t want your submission through fear, Garrett. I want your loyalty through respect. And I intend to earn it."
Turning to address the wider audience again, I continued, "My father believed this pack could be more than what it has beco. He believed in tradition but also in progress. In strength tempered with compassion."
"And what about Alpha Enzo?" ca another voice from the crowd—a female this ti. "He is still Alpha by blood!"
At this, Lilith stepped forward, her ice-blue eyes scanning the crowd. "My mate is currently being held by Marcus Grimwood,Alpha from the Crimson Claw Pack. " she announced, her voice clear and controlled despite the emotion I knew she must be feeling. "And while we will do everything in our power to bring him ho safely, Howlthorne cannot stand without leadership in the anti."
Her support, public and unwavering, created a visible impact. If Enzo’s chosen mate accepted , how could others justify their resistance?
"I stand before you not to replace my brother," I clarified, "but to fulfill my duty to this pack until he returns. And in that capacity, I make you these promises."
I moved back to the platform, feeling the energy in the room shift as attention focused fully on .
"I promise to protect our territory from Marcus Grimwood and any other threats that may arise. I promise to uphold the honor and traditions of Howlthorne, while also bringing the changes needed for our survival. And I promise that every decision I make will be for the good of the pack—all of the pack, regardless of status or bloodline."
From a side entrance, an elderly female wolf approached—Agnes, the keeper of pack artifacts and historian since before I was born. In her gnarled hands, she carried a small wooden box inlaid with silver.
"The Alpha’s pendant," she announced, her ancient voice carrying surprising strength. "Passed down through generations of Howlthorne leaders."
She opened the box, revealing a heavy silver pendant bearing the Howlthorne crest—a wolf howling beneath a full moon, surrounded by thorned branches.
"By pack law and the will of Alpha Dominic," Agnes continued, "I present this to his daughter, Victoria Howlthorne, to wear until such ti as permanent leadership is determined."
Gasps and whispers filled the hall. The pendant was more than jewelry—it was a symbol of authority recognized by every wolf in the territory. For Agnes to present it to was a powerful endorsent.
With trembling fingers, I lifted the pendant from its velvet nest. The silver felt warm against my skin, almost alive with the power of those who had worn it before .
"I accept this responsibility," I said, my voice strong as I placed the chain around my neck. "And I swear by the Moon Goddess that I will honor it with every breath I take."
The pendant settled against my chest, surprisingly heavy yet sohow right.
A mont of silence followed—then, from the back of the hall, a lone howl rose. Jackson had made his way from his sickbed, leaning heavily on a younger wolf for support, but his voice was strong as he gave the traditional acknowledgnt of a new Alpha.
One by one, other howls joined his. Tiny. Lilith. Agnes. The kitchen staff who had always snuck extra food. The groundskeepers who had taught to identify plants. The guards who had nodded respectfully even when Enzo wasn’t looking.
Not everyone joined—Garrett and his closest allies remained stubbornly silent—but they were the minority. The wave of sound washed over , acceptance and hope mingling with the ancient call that had bound wolves together since ti immorial.
*This is just the beginning,* Ava whispered in my mind as the howls gradually subsided. *Our beginning.*
Looking out over the faces of my pack—my pack—I allowed myself a smile. "Thank you for your trust," I said. "Now, let’s get to work. We have a territory to protect and a family mber to bring ho."
As the assembly began to disperse, Lilith moved to stand beside , her expression thoughtful. "Not bad for your first pack address," she murmured. "Even my father would have been impressed."
Coming from her, it was high praise indeed. "This alliance might work after all," I replied quietly.
She touched the pendant at my throat, her fingertips light against the silver. "Just rember—borrowed power must eventually be returned."
"Or earned permanently," I countered, eting her gaze steadily.
A small smile curved her lips. "We shall see, Victoria. We shall see."
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