Victoria
The grandfather clock in my father’s study chid eleven tis, each resonant tone echoing through the silent room. I’d been sitting at his massive oak desk for hours now, surrounded by stacks of docunts that demanded imdiate attention. The responsibility of being Howlthorne’s acting Alpha had descended upon with crushing weight, leaving little ti to process everything that had happened since my return.
My fingers traced the edge of a territory agreent that needed renewal by the end of the month. The neighboring Cedar Moon Pack had been allies with Howlthorne for generations, but would they honor the agreent with a half-blood at the helm? With a female? These questions plagued as I sorted through the mountain of paperwork.
"Father would be proud," I whispered to myself, trying to draw strength from the thought.
*He always believed in you,* Ava murmured within . *Even when you didn’t believe in yourself.*
Ava had been restless all evening, sensing my exhaustion but providing quiet support as I navigated my new responsibilities. The pendant around my neck felt heavier with each passing hour, a constant reminder of what I had taken on.
As I reached for another folder, my hand brushed against sothing that had been partially concealed beneath a stack of legal docunts—a leather-bound journal, worn at the edges from frequent handling. I recognized it imdiately as my father’s personal diary.
My heart quickened. This was private, ant for his eyes alone. Yet sothing compelled to open it, to seek guidance from the man who could no longer provide it in person.
The pages were filled with his bold, slanting handwriting—entries dating back years. I found myself turning to entries from around the ti of my mother’s death, my throat tightening as I began to read:
*May 18th*
*Victoria smiled today. First ti since the funeral. Found her in Elizabeth’s garden, talking to the roses as if they could hear her. She has her mother’s gentleness, but there’s strength there too—a quiet determination I recognize from looking in the mirror. Aurora says I coddle the child too much. Perhaps she’s right, but how can I not want to protect the last piece of Elizabeth I have left in this world?*
Tears pricked at my eyes. I flipped forward several years, landing on an entry from when I was twelve:
*December 3rd*
*Aurora’s hatred of Victoria grows more obvious each day. She claims it’s concern for pack purity, but I see the jealousy behind her words. Today she suggested sending Victoria away to a human school permanently. I refused. The girl belongs here, half-blood or not. She is my daughter, my blood. Soday, they will all see what I see in her.*
My hands trembled slightly as I turned to entries from the year before his death:
*July 15th*
*t with Marcus today. His proposal is insulting—a rger of packs with Enzo to marry his daughter. Claims it would strengthen both bloodlines, but I see his hunger for Howlthorne territory. Aurora seed too interested in his offer. I must watch her carefully. Sothing has shifted in her eyes when she looks at lately. After all these years, I fear her ambition still outweighs her loyalty.*
*September 8th*
*I’ve anded my will today. Should anything happen to before Victoria cos of age, Jackson will serve as her guardian and advisor. The pack must remain with my blood, and though Enzo is my son, I fear what Aurora has made of him. Victoria has her mother’s heart and my determination. When the ti cos, she will be ready. I’ve arranged for certain trusts to remain in her na alone—funds Enzo cannot touch. Aurora must never know.*
The final entry, dated just three days before his death, made my blood run cold:
*October 12th*
*Aurora disappeared for hours yesterday. When questioned, her excuses were flimsy. I followed her scent today—it led to the old hunting cabin at the northern border. Marcus’s scent was there too, fresh. No longer any doubt about her betrayal. I’ve contacted my lawyer to finalize the changes to my will and secure Victoria’s future. Tomorrow I’ll confront Aurora. Whatever happens, my daughter must be protected.*
"Oh, Daddy," I whispered, a tear falling onto the page. The truth I had suspected but never confird was there in black and white. Aurora had betrayed him. Had likely played a role in his death. And he had known—had tried to protect even in his final days.
The sudden sound of the study door opening made quickly close the journal. Leo stood in the doorway, his powerful fra silhouetted against the hallway light. "It’s nearly midnight, little wolf," he said, his deep voice softening as he approached the desk. "You should rest."
I hastily wiped away my tears, but of course he noticed—his heightened senses missing nothing. "Just reviewing so docunts," I said, attempting nonchalance.
Leo ca around the desk, his hand gentle as he tilted my chin up to et his gaze. His eyes, those intense eyes that could freeze enemies in their tracks, ward as they studied my face.
"You’ve been crying," he observed, his thumb brushing away a lingering tear. "What did you find?"
I hesitated, then handed him the journal. "My father’s diary. He knew, Leo. He knew Aurora was conspiring with Marcus before he died."
Leo took the journal, his expression darkening as he scanned the final entries. "This confirms what we suspected," he said, placing the journal carefully on the desk. "Marcus and Aurora have likely been planning this for years."
"If I had known sooner..." I began, the weight of guilt pressing down on .
"Don’t," Leo interrupted firmly. "You couldn’t have known. Your father was trying to shield you."
He moved behind , his strong hands coming to rest on my shoulders, kneading the tension that had gathered there. I leaned back against him, drawing comfort from his solid presence.
"The pack is restless," I confessed, gesturing to the reports I’d been reading. "Three families have already requested permission to relocate to allied territories until the ’leadership situation’ is resolved."
Leo’s hands stilled for a mont before continuing their soothing motion. "It’s expected. Change brings uncertainty, and uncertainty breeds fear."
"They don’t believe I can protect them," I said, voicing the thought that had been haunting all evening. "A hybrid with a newly awakened wolf—why would they?"
Leo turned my chair to face him, crouching down so we were at eye level. The intensity of his gaze made my breath catch.
"Because you are stronger than any of them know," he said, his voice low and certain. "Because you are mine, and I am yours, and together there is nothing we cannot face."
His words wrapped around like a shield, bolstering my flagging spirits.
"I found sothing else," I said, pulling another folder from beneath the stack. "Financial records showing substantial transfers to offshore accounts in Enzo’s na. He’s been siphoning pack funds for years, Leo."
Leo’s jaw tightened as he took the folder, flipping through the docunts with increasing tension in his shoulders. "This explains how he accumulated such significant debt to my organization so quickly. He wasn’t just gambling with his own money—he was gambling with the pack’s future."
A soft knock at the door interrupted us. Lilith stood in the doorway, her normally perfect appearance slightly disheveled after a long day of helping manage the sudden transition. Despite our complicated history, I had to admit she was proving herself valuable—her knowledge of pack politics and administration filling gaps in my own understanding.
"Sorry to interrupt," she said, her eyes darting between Leo and . "But we have a situation developing. Several of the younger pack mbers are gathering in the south field. There’s talk of challenging your authority, Victoria."
I felt a spike of alarm, but Leo’s steadying hand on my shoulder kept grounded.
"Who’s leading them?" he asked Lilith, his voice deceptively calm.
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