Mated to My Intended's Enemy novel Chapter 58

Chapter 58: Chapter 58 A Seat at the Table

Victoria

A month later.

The morning light filtered through the tall windows of my bedroom at Howlthorne Manor as I studied my reflection in the full-length mirror. The woman staring back at me was almost unrecognizable from the frightened girl who had once cowered under Enzo’s threats. My dark hair was swept up into an elegant twist, accentuating the clean lines of my charcoal gray power suit. At my throat gleamed two pendants—the Howlthorne Alpha emblem and, beneath it, hidden from casual view, my mother’s sylvan pendant. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

"You look every inch the Alpha," Rosa said, adjusting the lapel of my jacket with motherly pride. She had insisted on coming to Howlthorne Manor to help me prepare for today’s crucial meeting.

"I feel like I’m playing dress-up." I admitted, smoothing my hands over the tailored pants.

*They will only see what you allow them to see,* Ava reminded me. Since discovering my dual heritage, our communication had grown clearer, our bond stronger.

Rosa stepped back, giving me an appraising look. "The Northern Territory Council has seen many Alphas come and go, but none quite like you, Victoria. Use that to your advantage."

A knock at the door preceded Leo’s entrance. He paused in the doorway, his eyes darkening as they traveled slowly over my appearance.

"The car is ready," he said, his voice deeper than usual. "You look... formidable."

Rosa smiled knowingly and excused herself, leaving us alone. Leo crossed the room in three long strides, stopping just short of touching me.

"The last month has changed you," he observed, his gaze intense.

I met his eyes without flinching. "For better or worse?"

"Better. Definitely better." His hand reached up to touch my cheek. "You’ve always been strong, little wolf, but now you know it."

The pet name no longer felt diminishing—it had evolved into something intimate, an acknowledgment of both my werewolf nature and my sylvan heritage that seemed to harmonize with the wild places within me.

"Are you ready to face them?" he asked, his thumb brushing over my lower lip.

"As ready as I’ll ever be," I replied, leaning into his touch. "The Howlthorne Pack needs this alliance. We’ve worked too hard rebuilding to let Marcus’s scheming undo everything."

Leo’s expression hardened at the mention of Marcus Grimwood. In the month since discovering my mother’s study and my true heritage, we’d gathered substantial intelligence on the Crimson Claw Alpha. His connections to Aurora’s disappearance and my father’s death grew more apparent with each piece of evidence we uncovered.

"Remember the strategy," Leo said, his hand dropping to take mine. "You don’t need to convince all of them today. Just plant enough doubt about Marcus’s intentions to prevent any immediate alliances against us."

I nodded. "And you’ll be watching?"

His smile turned predatory. "From the shadows, where I’m most comfortable. No one will know Shadow Pack has any interest in this meeting."

"Good," I said, gathering my portfolio and phone. "Then let’s remind the Northern Territory exactly who the Howthornes are."

---

The Northern Territory Council Chamber was housed in a magnificent glass and stone building that reflected the surrounding pine forests. As befitting the neutral ground for werewolf diplomacy, it combined modern luxury with traditional pack symbols—massive timbers harvested during full moons, stone quarried from each pack’s territory, and glass that allowed the occupants to remain connected to the natural world while conducting their business.

When I entered the circular chamber, accompanied only by Garrett as my Beta, the conversations dimmed to curious whispers. Six massive chairs surrounded the ancient oak table—five occupied by the Northern Territory’s most powerful Alphas, with the sixth—my father’s former seat—standing conspicuously empty.

Elder Maxwell, the white-haired moderator who had known my father for decades, approached me first. His weathered face creased into a smile that didn’t quite reach his calculating eyes.

"Alpha Howlthorne," he greeted formally.

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