CHAPTER 120: CHAPTER 120 SAMANTHA

Leo

The Mediterranean sun was just beginning to rise over the horizon as I stepped onto the terrace, watching Victoria’s sleeping form through the open doorway. Even in slumber, she captivated me—her chestnut hair splayed across the pillow, her lips slightly parted, her scent a bewitching mix of wildflowers and something uniquely hers that called to my wolf.

Ronan stirred restlessly within me. *She should not wander alone.*

*She’s not a prisoner,* I reminded my wolf, though I shared his protective instincts.

Yesterday had been torture. Every minute Victoria was away from the villa, Ronan had paced inside me, demanding we track her, ensure her safety. It had taken every ounce of my considerable self-control to give her the freedom she so desperately craved.

I ran a hand through my hair, the tension in my shoulders refusing to ease. Before Victoria had returned yesterday, I’d spent hours ensuring the island was secure. Every café she might visit, every beach she might explore—I’d had my security team assess them all, removing any potential threats.

Three rogue wolves with connections to the Crimson Claw Pack had been quietly escorted off the island. A human paparazzo who specialized in supernatural celebrity gossip had been persuaded to seek other targets. I’d even paid handsomely to have certain establishments closed for "private events" if they seemed too risky.

If Victoria knew the extent of my interference, she would be furious.

"Just let her enjoy this honeymoon," I muttered to myself, watching the sun cast golden light across the whitewashed buildings of the town below. "Without looking over her shoulder for once."

My phone vibrated in my pocket. Tiny’s name flashed on the screen.

"Report," I answered quietly, moving further from the bedroom.

"Everything’s clear, Alpha," my Beta’s deep voice rumbled. "The painter has been vetted. Former art professor, human, no connections to any packs or supernatural factions."

I stiffened. "What painter?"

There was a pause on the line. "The one your Luna sat for yesterday. On the south beach. I assumed you knew."

A growl built in my chest before I could suppress it. Victoria had sat for a portrait? With a strange man? And she hadn’t mentioned it?

"Continue surveillance," I ordered, my voice cold even to my own ears. "I want hourly updates on his movements."

"Yes, Alpha." Tiny hesitated. "He seems harmless, Leo. Just an artist who—"

"I’ll be the judge of that." I ended the call, my wolf clawing at my insides.

*She kept secrets,* Ronan snarled. *Our mate hides things.*

I closed my eyes, forcing my breathing to slow. This was exactly what I didn’t want—this possessiveness that threatened to suffocate what we were building together. Victoria deserved trust. She deserved to make her own choices without my surveillance or interference.

Even as these rational thoughts filled my mind, my wolf plotted ways to find this artist and make it clear that Victoria was claimed—that she was mine.

"Leo?"

Victoria’s sleepy voice pulled me from my darkening thoughts. I turned to find her standing in the doorway, wearing nothing but one of my shirts, her hair tousled from sleep and our lovemaking.

"Good morning, little wolf," I managed, keeping my tone light as I crossed to her. I pressed a kiss to her forehead, inhaling her scent to calm myself. "Sleep well?"

She nodded, leaning into me with a trust that made my chest ache. "Like the dead. Someone thoroughly wore me out last night."

I smiled despite my inner turmoil, remembering how she’d looked beneath me on the terrace lounger, moonlight silvering her skin as she came apart in my arms.

"No regrets, I hope?" I murmured against her hair.

"Never." She pulled back slightly to study my face. "Is everything okay? You seem tense."

Before I could answer, a familiar voice called from the path leading to our villa.

"Leonard? Leonard Moretti, is that really you?"

Victoria’s head turned toward the unexpected visitor, and I suppressed a groan as I recognized Samantha Keller striding toward us, her blonde hair gleaming in the morning sun, her mate Bella following close behind.

"Friends of yours?" Victoria asked, her grip on my arm tightening slightly.

I sighed. "An old... acquaintance. Wait here."

As I moved to intercept Samantha before she could reach the terrace, my mind raced. The last person I expected to see in Greece was a former fling from nearly five years ago. Our brief affair had been memorable only for how spectacularly incompatible we’d been—like trying to mate a shark with a hummingbird.

"Samantha," I greeted her coolly when we met at the garden gate. "This is unexpected."

She grinned, unfazed by my chilly reception. "Imagine my surprise when Bella and I checked into our hotel and the manager mentioned that the notorious Alpha Moretti was honeymooning nearby." Her eyes moved past me to where Victoria stood watching. "That must be your Luna. She’s lovely, Leonard. Congratulations."

I glanced at Bella, who gave me an apologetic smile. "Sorry for the intrusion. Sam insisted on saying hello when she heard you were here."

"We’re on our honeymoon," I said pointedly.

"Oh, we won’t stay long," Samantha assured me. "I just had to see for myself if the rumors were true—that the most eligible Alpha bachelor had finally been claimed."

I felt Victoria approach before I heard her, her scent wrapping around me like a calming balm. She had slipped back inside to dress, now wearing a simple sundress that made her look both innocent and irresistible.

"I’m Victoria," she said, extending her hand to Samantha with a grace that made my chest swell with pride. "Leo’s Luna."

Samantha’s smile widened as she clasped Victoria’s hand. "Samantha Keller, event planner extraordinaire. And this is my mate, Bella."

As the women exchanged pleasantries, an idea began to form in my mind. Samantha might have been a disaster as a bedmate, but she was renowned for her ability to create memorable experiences. The anniversary of the day Victoria and I had first met was approaching—a perfect opportunity to give her something special.

"Samantha," I interrupted their conversation. "I might have a proposition for you."

Her eyebrows rose in interest. "Business? On your honeymoon?"

"A surprise for my Luna," I clarified, glancing at Victoria who was deep in conversation with Bella. "Something memorable."

Understanding dawned in Samantha’s eyes. "I’d be delighted to help. Why don’t you walk me to the gate and we can discuss details while our better halves get acquainted?"

As we moved away from Victoria and Bella, Samantha’s professional demeanor emerged. "What did you have in mind, Alpha?"

"Something intimate but spectacular," I explained, describing my vision for an anniversary celebration that would show Victoria how much she meant to me. "Price is no object."

Samantha nodded, her mind clearly already spinning with possibilities. "Your Luna’s story has reached even here, Leo. The half-fae wolf who captured the heart of America’s most powerful Alpha? It’s the romance of the decade."

I stiffened slightly. "How much do you know?"

She shrugged. "Rumors mostly. That she has extraordinary gifts. That you fought a war to claim her." Her expression softened. "That you’d burn the world for her."

"I would," I admitted quietly.

Samantha touched my arm lightly. "I’ll create something worthy of that love, Leo. You have my word."

As we finalized arrangements and I transferred a substantial deposit to her account, I found myself actually grateful for this unexpected encounter. Victoria deserved to be celebrated—to know that our meeting, as turbulent as it had been, was the most significant moment of my existence.

"Until then," I said, my eyes narrowing slightly, "I expect you and Bella to keep this surprise completely confidential. If anything requires my attention—or additional payment—you’ll contact me directly." My tone carried a warning edge; Samantha’s reliability was not something I took for granted.

She blinked once, then smiled with professional ease. "I do have standards, Mr. Moretti. For the next two days, I’ll need your full cooperation to confirm details of the plan. Handle your end—keep the secret from your mate. I’ll handle the rest."