CHAPTER 33: CHAPTER 33 RETURN

Victoria

I stepped out of Tiny’s sleek black SUV, the cool autumn air biting at my cheeks as we approached the small bakery that had been my refuge for years. The familiar scent of fresh bread and cinnamon wrapped around me like a comforting blanket.

"Emma’s going to be thrilled to see me," I told Tiny, who towered beside me like a protective shadow. "She always saves the cinnamon rolls with extra frosting for me."

The bell above the door jingled as we entered, and Emma’s head snapped up from behind the counter. Her eyes widened comically, a delighted smile spreading across her face.

"Victoria Howlthorne!" she exclaimed, rushing around the counter to envelop me in a hug that smelled of vanilla and flour. "Look at you! Absolutely glowing!" She held me at arm’s length, examining my face with knowing eyes. "I haven’t seen you looking this healthy in years. Someone’s finally being treated right."

Heat rushed to my cheeks. "Emma," I warned, but couldn’t help smiling.

"What?" she asked innocently, though her eyes sparkled with mischief. "That Shadow Alpha of yours must be feeding you properly. Your curves have filled out, and that haunted look is finally gone from your eyes." She lowered her voice to a conspiratorial whisper. "Alpha Moretti must be quite... attentive."

"Emma!" I hissed, my face burning hotter. "Please..."

Tiny cleared his throat behind me, and Emma’s attention shifted. Her normal chatty demeanor faltered as she took in his imposing presence.

"This is Tiny," I said, gesturing to the massive Beta wolf. "He’s Leo’s—I mean, Alpha Moretti’s Beta and my security detail for today."

Emma’s eyes traveled up Tiny’s impressive height, her mouth slightly agape. "Tiny?" she repeated, a smile twitching at her lips. "That’s... ironic."

For once, Emma seemed at a loss for words, her usual confidence replaced by an almost shy demeanor that I’d never witnessed before. Tiny gave her a small nod of acknowledgment, his stoic expression softening almost imperceptibly.

"We need to pick up the order for Omega House," I said, breaking the charged silence.

"Right, of course," Emma said, snapping back to business mode though her eyes kept darting to Tiny. "I added some extra pastries, on the house. Figured those omegas could use something sweet."

After loading several boxes of baked goods into Tiny’s SUV, we made our way to Omega House. I’d arranged for pizza and other takeout to be delivered directly there, but Emma’s pastries were a special touch I wanted to bring personally.

Uncle Alessio was waiting at the door when we arrived, his weathered face lighting up at the sight of me."Victoria!" he called out, arms open wide. "My favorite girl has returned!"

I hugged him tightly, feeling the slight tremor in his aging frame. "I’ve brought food and some of Emma’s pastries," I said, gesturing to Tiny who was already unloading boxes.

"Bless you, child," Uncle Alessio said, his eyes crinkling with genuine happiness. "The young ones have been asking about you."

We carried everything into the kitchen, where several omega wolves were already setting up plates and cutlery. Their eyes widened at the amount of food, some of the younger ones practically vibrating with excitement at the sight of Emma’s pastry boxes.

Uncle Alessio and I sat in his small office while the omegas enjoyed their meal, Tiny standing guard outside to give us privacy.

"How are you really doing, Victoria?" Uncle Alessio asked, concern evident in his voice. "The rumors about your mating to Alpha Moretti spread quickly."

"I’m... adapting," I said honestly. "Leo isn’t what I expected. He’s demanding and intense, but also... protective. His wolf has recognized mine, even though Ava is still awakening."

Uncle Alessio nodded sagely. "The Moon Goddess works in mysterious ways. Sometimes the most unexpected pairings create the strongest bonds."

Our conversation drifted to the house and its inhabitants until Uncle Alessio’s expression grew troubled.

"Victoria, there’s something I need to discuss with you," he said, his voice lowering. "Several of our young omegas have had to discontinue their studies. The educational funds have... stopped coming."

I felt as though I’d been doused with ice water. "What do you mean, stopped? My father established a permanent trust for omega education before he died. It should be generating more than enough income to support everyone here."

Uncle Alessio looked down at his weathered hands. "The last three quarterly payments never arrived. When I inquired with Alpha Enzo, he said pack finances were... strained."

My blood began to boil, Ava stirring restlessly within me. "Strained? The only thing strained is my brother’s ability to stay away from gambling tables!" I stood up abruptly, pacing the small office. "Those funds were specifically designated for education. They’re not part of the general pack finances—they can’t legally be touched!"

"Victoria," Uncle Alessio said softly, "please don’t confront him on my account. I’m worried about what he might do."

I took a deep breath, forcing myself to calm down. "This isn’t right, Uncle Alessio. My father wanted to ensure that every omega in our territory had access to education. It was his legacy."

A soft knock interrupted us, and Tiny’s massive frame filled the doorway.

"Everything okay?" he asked, his eyes immediately finding mine.

"No," I said bluntly. "My brother has been embezzling funds meant for omega education."

Tiny’s expression hardened slightly. "Educational trust funds?"

"Yes," I confirmed. "Set up specifically to be untouchable by pack leadership for any other purpose."

Tiny was quiet for a moment, then said, "If you’d allow me, I could arrange personal funding for the omegas’ education. No strings attached, no pack politics involved—just a private citizen supporting education."

Uncle Alessio looked shocked at the offer, but I felt a wave of gratitude wash over me.

"Tiny, that’s incredibly generous," I said, touched by his willingness to help.

He shrugged his massive shoulders. "Pack betas are well-compensated. Money sitting in accounts does no good. Knowledge and education benefit us all."

Uncle Alessio’s eyes glistened with unshed tears. "We would be eternally grateful for any assistance, but I wouldn’t want to create problems between packs..."

"This would be entirely personal," Tiny assured him. "Alpha Moretti values education highly. He would approve."

As we said our goodbyes, with Emma promising to check in on the omegas regularly, my mind was racing. Enzo had gone too far this time. Stealing from omegas—the most vulnerable members of wolf society—was beyond despicable.

"I need to do something about Enzo," I told Tiny as we drove away from Omega House. "He’s systematically destroying everything my father built. The Howlthorne pack will be nothing but a shell if this continues."

Tiny glanced at me, his expression carefully neutral. "What are you thinking?"

"I don’t know yet," I admitted, watching the familiar landscape roll by. "But I can’t stand by and watch him destroy my father’s legacy. Those omegas deserve better. Our pack deserves better."