Mated to My Intended's Enemy novel Chapter 62

Chapter 62: Chapter 62 Threat or Promise

Victoria

I couldn’t believe what Leo and I had just done in the backseat of the car—wild, reckless, nothing like the version of me who had always kept her composure. Even after we’d hastily cleaned up, I could feel his gaze still clinging to me, heavy and burning, making my skin prickle as though we hadn’t just given in to desire.

No, Victoria. Don’t lose focus now. I shoved lightly against Leo’s chest when he leaned in for another kiss, forcing my tone to sharpen. "Enough. We need to talk strategy, not... this."

He only smirked, the kind of slow, predatory smile that made my stomach flip and my wolf stir.

"What would you do if you were in my position?" I asked, trusting his strategic mind.

"I’d stop waiting for Marcus to corner you," Leo said smoothly, his voice low and edged with danger. "He expects you to cower. So instead, we move first."

"A preemptive strike?" I frowned, my arms crossing instinctively. "That could blow everything open before we’re ready."

Leo’s lips curved into that infuriatingly confident smile. "Not an attack. A maneuver. We put troops near the mining complex, under the cover of your shiny new security initiative. Just enough to make Marcus sweat, not enough to reveal how much we really know."

His words slid into place like pieces on a chessboard, and for a moment I simply watched him—this man who thrived on the game itself, always several moves ahead.

"And while he’s busy panicking over the obvious," I murmured, catching on, "we send in a smaller team. Quiet. Surgical. They confirm Enzo and Aurora’s whereabouts."

Leo’s eyes gleamed, approval flashing in their midnight depths. "Exactly. That’s an Alpha move."

The praise hit me harder than I expected, sparking warmth low in my chest. Ava stirred inside, her voice sharp and proud. He doesn’t just want us—he respects us. He sees us.

By the time the car rolled through the iron gates of Howlthorne Manor, the sun was sinking, bleeding orange and crimson across the mountains. Shadows stretched long across the manicured lawns. Guards stood like statues at the edge of the drive, rifles slung but eyes sharp. Every detail whispered readiness for war.

In my suite, I stripped off the council suit and tugged on black tactical pants, a fitted long-sleeve shirt, boots laced tight. The reflection staring back from the mirror startled me. Not the trembling woman from weeks ago, but someone carved from resolve and fire. Someone who could stand shoulder to shoulder with an Alpha.

A knock, then Leo entered—also changed, his tactical gear hugging his broad shoulders and lean waist. He was pure, lethal power, and my pulse betrayed me at the sight.

"Ready?" His gaze dragged slowly down my frame, sparking heat that clashed with the cool steel of the mission ahead.

"As I’ll ever be." I forced my tone steady, ignoring the way his look unraveled me. Now was not the time.

But then his hands found my hips, grounding me, pulling me close. Our lips crashed together, hungry, claiming, until breathless air was the only thing keeping us apart.

When we finally broke apart, his forehead pressed to mine, his voice a dark growl. "When this is over, I’m going to take my time with you. Hours, Victoria. I want every single second."

A shiver raced down my spine, heat curling low in my belly. Ava purred with feral anticipation.

I tilted my head, daring to smirk. "Is that a threat or a promise, Alpha?"

His grin was wicked, dangerous. "Both."

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