Mated to My Intended's Enemy novel Chapter 45

Chapter 45: Chapter 45 Comeback

Victoria

The wind whipped through my hair as Leo’s sleek black SUV pulled up to the gates of Howlthorne territory. I gazed out at the familiar landscape—rolling hills dotted with pine trees, the sprawling Pack house visible in the distance—and felt a curious mixture of dread and determination settle in my stomach.

"You don’t have to do this alone," Leo said for what must have been the tenth time since we’d left Shadow Pack territory. His knuckles were white against the steering wheel, jaw clenched tight. "Let me come with you."

I reached across the console to place my hand over his, feeling the tension in his muscles. "We’ve been through this," I reminded him gently. "If you come, it’ll only reinforce Aurora’s claims that I’ve handed control of Howlthorne Pack to Shadow Pack."

"I don’t give a damn what that woman thinks," he growled, Ronan clearly close to the surface. The protectiveness radiating from him was almost a tangible force in the confined space of the vehicle.

"But I do," I countered, my voice stronger than I felt. "This is my Pack now, Leo. I need to establish myself as their Alpha without you standing behind me. They need to see I can handle Aurora on my own."

Leo turned to face me fully, his dark eyes searching mine. The intensity of his gaze still made my heart skip a beat, even after everything we’d shared. "Promise me you’ll call if anything—and I mean anything—feels wrong. I can be here in twenty minutes."

I couldn’t help the small smile that curved my lips. "Fifteen if you break the speed limit?"

"Ten," he corrected without a hint of humor, leaning across to cup my face. "I mean it, Victoria. Aurora is unpredictable."

"I know," I sighed, turning to press a kiss to his palm. "But I have Beta Jackson and the entire pack security team. And..." I hesitated before admitting, "Ava is stronger now. I can feel it."

This was true. Since our mating, my wolf had grown more confident, more present. Though I was still learning to access her strength and abilities, I no longer felt like the helpless half-human I’d been raised to believe I was.

Leo studied me for a long moment before nodding reluctantly. "I hate this," he admitted, his thumb tracing my bottom lip in a gesture that sent heat curling through my body. "Letting you walk into that viper’s nest without me."

"It’s my viper’s nest," I reminded him with a wry smile. "And it’s time I cleaned it out."

The kiss he pressed to my lips was both tender and fierce—a perfect encapsulation of the man himself. When we broke apart, both slightly breathless, I could see the war raging behind his eyes: the Alpha who demanded control versus the mate who respected my autonomy.

"Twenty-four hours," he finally said, the words clearly costing him. "If you’re not back or I haven’t heard from you in twenty-four hours, I’m coming for you—protocol be damned."

I nodded, knowing this was the best compromise I’d get. "Deal."

With one last lingering kiss, I forced myself to exit the vehicle, grabbing my overnight bag from the back seat. Leo watched me through the window, his expression darkening as I stepped through the Howlthorne Pack gates.

"I love you," I mouthed to him, my chest tightening as he replied in kind before reluctantly pulling away.

The moment his SUV disappeared around the bend, I squared my shoulders and turned to face the Pack house. Time to reclaim what was rightfully mine.

---

The Howlthorne Pack mansion came into view, its imposing stone facade a sight that once inspired dread in me. Now, I viewed it differently—as a responsibility, a legacy, and most importantly, as mine.

Beta Jackson was waiting for me at the entrance, his tall frame rigid with formality. As Uncle Parrasi’s son, he had always been kinder to me than most, though still bound by pack hierarchy and Enzo’s orders. Now, uncertainty clouded his features as he watched me exit the car.

"Alpha," he said formally, inclining his head in respect—a gesture that would have been unthinkable just weeks ago.

"Jackson," I acknowledged, noticing how his eyes widened slightly at my changed demeanor. Gone was the timid, submissive girl who used to scurry around the mansion avoiding notice. In her place stood a woman who had faced death, awakened her wolf, and claimed her birthright. "I understand there have been some... challenges in my absence."

His expression darkened. "That’s putting it mildly. Perhaps we should discuss this inside."

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