Mated to My Intended's Enemy novel Chapter 37

Chapter 37: Chapter 37 The Debt Is Paid in Blood

Victoria

"He loved me," I whispered between hiccupping breaths. "He really loved me, Leo. And my mother too."

Leo’s hand stroked my hair gently. "Of course he did, little wolf. How could he not?"

I pulled back slightly, wiping tears from my cheeks. "You don’t understand. I always thought... I always believed I was just a disappointment to him."

Leo took the letter from my hands, his eyes scanning the contents quickly. His expression darkened when he reached the parts about Enzo and Aurora, but softened again at my father’s words about my birthright.

"Your father was right about one thing," Leo said finally, setting the letter aside. "You do have Alpha blood in you. I’ve sensed it from the beginning—that strength in you that refuses to submit, even to me." His lips quirked in a half-smile. "It drives my wolf crazy in the best possible way."

A watery laugh escaped me. "And now I find out I’m technically the rightful Alpha of the Howlthorne pack. It’s too much to process."

Leo’s expression turned serious. "What do you want to do with this information, Victoria? With this inheritance?"

I stood up, moving to the window to gather my thoughts as I looked out over Leo’s—our—territory. The question weighed heavily. Did I want to reclaim my father’s pack? Challenge Enzo for leadership? The very thought was intimidating.

"I want to honor my father’s memory," I said finally, turning back to face Leo. "I want to accept my role as Alpha Howlthorne’s daughter. Not necessarily to take over the pack immediately, but to at least acknowledge my heritage and responsibility to those pack members who remained loyal to my father."

Leo nodded, his eyes reflecting approval. "Whatever you decide, I’ll support you. "

I moved back to him, allowing myself to be pulled onto his lap. "Thank you," I whispered, pressing my forehead against his. "For understanding."

His fingers traced my jawline tenderly. "We’re partners now, Victoria. Your battles are mine."

Later that afternoon, after I’d had time to compose myself, we met with Leo’s attorneys to finalize the merger of our assets. Sitting at the massive table in Leo’s home office, I watched as documents were spread before us—property deeds, business holdings, investment portfolios—all being legally divided to make me co-owner of everything Leo possessed.

"Just sign here, Luna," the attorney indicated, sliding a sleek fountain pen toward me.

As I signed my name next to Leo’s on document after document, I felt a profound shift inside me. This wasn’t just about money or property. This was Leo—feared Alpha, dangerous predator, ruthless businessman—voluntarily making himself vulnerable by sharing everything he’d built.

When we reached the final document, Leo paused, his hand covering mine before I could sign.

"Are you sure about this, Victoria?" he asked quietly, his eyes searching mine. "Once you sign, half of everything I own becomes yours. My businesses, my territories... everything."

"Enter," he called, making sure I was decently covered before Tiny stepped into the room.

"Sorry to disturb you, Alpha, Luna," Tiny said, his expression grim. "But we have a situation."

Leo sat up straighter, his arm still protectively around me. "What is it?"

"It’s about Enzo Howlthorne," Tiny reported, his eyes flicking briefly to me. "Our sources inside the Howlthorne territory report he’s gone missing. Disappeared sometime in the last twenty-four hours."

"Missing?" I repeated, a cold feeling settling in my stomach. "What do you mean, missing?"

"He didn’t show up for scheduled pack business this morning. His Beta went to his quarters and found signs of a struggle. Blood on the sheets, furniture overturned." Tiny hesitated. "And a message written on the mirror. In what appears to be blood."

Leo’s grip on me tightened. "What did the message say?"

Tiny’s expression darkened further. "It said, ’The debt is paid in blood.’"