Mated to My Intended's Enemy novel Chapter 76

Chapter 76: Chapter 76 Final Hours

Victoria

The chaotic energy at Devil’s Lair gradually gave way to focused purpose as Leo and Carson finalized our assault plan. I should have been there with them, but Leo had insisted I take these final hours to put my affairs in order. "Just in case," he’d said, though neither of us wanted to acknowledge what that meant.

I drove back to Howlthorne estate with Tiny as my silent companion, my mind racing through contingency plans. If tonight went wrong—if I didn’t return—the pack needed leadership stability.

"You’re overthinking," Tiny rumbled from the driver’s seat, his eyes never leaving the road.

I glanced at him. "Is it that obvious?"

"Your scent changes when you worry. Gets sharper, like pine needles." He shrugged his massive shoulders. "Leo does the same thing."

The comparison made me smile despite everything. "How long have you served him?"

"Served?" Tiny’s laugh was a deep rumble. "I don’t serve Leo. I follow him. Big difference."

"Tell me," I said, genuinely curious.

Tiny was quiet for a moment. "Most Alphas demand loyalty. Leo earns it. When I was sixteen, my family was killed by a rival pack. I was the only survivor—a half-grown wolf with anger issues and nowhere to go. Other Alphas would’ve seen a liability. Leo saw potential."

I wasn’t surprised. Beneath Leo’s cold exterior beat the heart of a man who valued strength of character above all else.

"He’ll get your brother back," Tiny said confidently. "And he’ll keep you safe doing it."

"I don’t need protection," I replied automatically.

Tiny’s dark eyes flickered to me briefly. "Everyone needs protection sometimes, little Luna. Even Alphas."

We pulled through the gates of Howlthorne estate, where unusual activity caught my attention immediately. Cars lined the circular drive, and people moved purposefully between the main house and outbuildings.

"What’s going on?" I asked as Tiny parked.

"Pack business," he replied cryptically. "Rosa’s expecting you in the kitchen."

Curious and slightly alarmed, I made my way to the house. The moment I stepped through the door, delicious aromas enveloped me—roasting meat, baking bread, herbal undertones of rosemary and thyme. The kitchen was a hive of activity with Rosa at its center, directing a team of helpers with the precision of a battlefield commander.

She spotted me hovering in the doorway and waved me over. "Don’t just stand there, child. Come taste this sauce."

I navigated through the bustling kitchen. "Rosa, what is all this? We’re launching a rescue mission tonight, not hosting a dinner party."

She thrust a spoon toward my mouth. "Taste."

I obeyed, closing my eyes as rich flavor exploded across my taste buds—tomato, garlic, and herbs blended with something deeper I couldn’t identify. "It’s amazing, but—"

"Warriors need fuel," she interrupted firmly. "Your pack and Shadow Pack will fight better with proper food in their bellies."

My heart squeezed with sudden understanding. Rosa was doing the only thing she could to support our mission—providing nourishment and comfort before battle.

"Can I help?" I asked softly.

Rosa’s stern expression softened. "You could chop those herbs. Your mother always said you had a gift with plants."

I froze, knife poised above a bundle of fresh basil. "My mother?"

Rosa continued stirring her sauce. "Luna Elisabeth used to bring you to the kitchen when you were tiny. You’d sit right there," she nodded to a corner of the counter, "playing with herb bundles while we talked. Even then, whatever you touched would stay fresher longer."

My throat tightened. I had so few memories of my mother, each new revelation feeling like a precious gift. "Did she cook with you often?"

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