Mated to My Intended's Enemy novel Chapter 14

Chapter 14: Chapter 14 Morning

Victoria

Rosa’s expression softens with understanding. She reaches across the island and pats my hand, her touch motherly and comforting. "Of course, Victoria. Whatever makes you comfortable."

She turns back to her cooking, and soon places a plate in front of me loaded with fluffy scrambled eggs, bacon, and fresh fruit.

"Thank you," I say, suddenly realizing how hungry I am. "It looks amazing."

"Eat up," she encourages. "You’ll need your strength in this house."

Something in her tone makes me pause with my fork halfway to my mouth. "What do you mean by that?"

Rosa sighs, leaning against the counter. "Being an Alpha’s mate isn’t easy, Victoria. Especially not Leo’s. He’s powerful, stubborn, and used to getting his own way. But he’s also fiercely loyal and protective of what’s his." She emphasizes the last word meaningfully.

"I’m not sure I know how to be what he needs," I admit, the confession slipping out before I can stop it.

Rosa’s face softens. "Oh, honey. You don’t need to be anything but yourself. That’s who he chose."

"He didn’t choose me," I say bitterly, stabbing at my eggs. "My stepbrother sold me to him to pay a debt."

The kitchen falls silent. Even Tiny shifts uncomfortably by the door.

Rosa’s expression darkens momentarily before she comes around the island and, without warning, pulls me into a hug. She smells like vanilla and cinnamon, and her embrace is so unexpected and motherly that tears spring to my eyes.

"Listen to me," she says firmly, pulling back to look into my face. "Whatever brought you here, you’re here now. And in this house, you’re not property—you’re the Luna. Even Alpha Moretti answers to the Moon Goddess in matters of mates."

I blink back tears, not entirely understanding but somehow comforted by her conviction. "I don’t even have my wolf yet," I whisper. "I’m only half what I should be."

"Your wolf will come," Rosa assures me, patting my cheek. "Sometimes she waits until you’re truly safe to emerge."

Safe. What a foreign concept.

"Now eat," she commands, returning to her cooking. "A growing she-wolf needs her strength. And afterwards, if you’d like, I can show you around the house properly."

I take a bite of the eggs, which are perfectly seasoned and delicious. "I’d like that," I say, feeling the smallest spark of hope ignite in my chest.

Maybe I can survive this after all.

"Rosa," I ask hesitantly after a few more bites, "what’s Alpha Moretti like? I mean, when he’s not..." I trail off, unsure how to phrase it.

"When he’s not being the terrifying Alpha?" she finishes with a knowing smile. "He’s complicated, like most powerful men. But he’s fair. Loyal to his pack. And he’s been alone for a very long time."

Before I can ask more questions, the kitchen door swings open, and Tiny straightens to attention.

My heart leaps into my throat, expecting Leo, but instead, a different man enters—just as imposing but leaner, with sharp features and calculating eyes. He pauses when he sees me, surprise briefly flashing across his face before he schools his expression.

"Carson," Tiny acknowledges with a nod.

Carson, Leo’s Gamma—gives a curt nod in return before his eyes settle on me again. "So you’re the human who has our Alpha tied in knots," he says, his voice neither friendly nor hostile. "Interesting."

I feel my spine stiffen at his tone. "Half-human," I correct, surprising myself with my boldness. "And I have a name. It’s Victoria."

A smile ghosts across his lips. "I know who you are, Luna Victoria Howlthorne. Everyone in the territory does by now."

My stomach drops. "Everyone?"

"News travels fast in wolf circles," Carson replies, helping himself to coffee. "Especially when an Alpha who’s avoided taking a mate for a decade suddenly claims one."

Rosa shoots him a warning look. "That’s enough, Carson. She doesn’t need pack politics with her breakfast."

He shrugs, but his eyes remain on me, assessing. "Just making conversation. Better she hears it from us than others."

"Hears what?" I ask, suddenly feeling like I’m missing something important.

Carson leans against the counter, coffee mug in hand. "That some in the pack are... curious about Leo’s choice. A half-blood with no awakened wolf is an unusual selection for an Alpha of his standing."

"Carson!" Rosa hisses.

"It’s fine," I say, though it’s not. "I’m aware I’m not what people would expect."

"Expectations," Carson says thoughtfully, "are rarely what matter to an Alpha. Instinct is everything. And Leonard’s instincts are never wrong."

With that cryptic statement, he nods to Rosa, gives Tiny a meaningful look I can’t interpret, and exits as suddenly as he appeared.

I stare after him, my breakfast forgotten. "What did he mean by that?"

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