CHAPTER 42: CHAPTER 42 ALPHA COUNCIL

Leo

The howls of protest from the Alpha Council chambers. I stood unmoving at the center of the storm, arms crossed as I faced down four of the most powerful Alphas in the Northern Territories. Aurora Howlthorne sat opposite me, the picture of maternal grief in her carefully selected black mourning dress, her eyes red-rimmed—though I’d bet my territory those tears were manufactured on demand.

"This is unprecedented!" Alpha Donovan slammed his fist on the ancient oak table, causing ripples in everyone’s water glasses. At eighty-three, he was the oldest member of the council, a traditionalist to his core. "A Luna cannot simply return from the dead and demand control of a territory!"

Aurora dabbed at her eyes with a lace handkerchief. "I never died, Elder. I was taken against my will, held captive for years by enemies of our kind. Would you punish me further for my suffering?"

Her performance was flawless—the trembling hands, the broken voice, the strategic pauses for composure. Had I not caught her earlier calculating glances and the too-convenient timing of her return, I might have believed her myself.

"The question isn’t about punishment," I interjected coldly. "It’s about legitimacy. You appear precisely when evidence implicating Shadow Pack in your son’s disappearance is discovered, evidence that forensic analysis already proves was staged."

Aurora’s eyes flashed with genuine anger before she could suppress it. "Are you accusing me of something, Alpha Moretti?"

"I’m stating facts," I replied, meeting her gaze steadily. "Facts that include you having no proof of this alleged captivity, no explanation for your convenient timing, and no legal standing to claim leadership of the Howlthorne Pack."

Alpha Helena Stone, the only female member of the council and a shrewd judge of character, leaned forward. "If I may, Luna Aurora—your return raises questions that must be addressed. Protocol demands a full investigation into both your reappearance and Alpha Enzo’s disappearance before any decisions about pack leadership can be made."

Aurora’s lips thinned. "While you investigate, who will lead the Howlthorne Pack? My son is missing, presumed dead. The pack needs stability now more than ever."

"Convenient how you’ve jumped straight to ’presumed dead,’" I noted, letting a dangerous edge enter my voice. "Most mothers would cling to hope rather than immediately angle for power."

Her mask slipped for just a second—long enough for everyone in the room to catch the flash of cold calculation in her eyes. "How dare you question a mother’s grief! You know nothing of maternal love, Alpha Moretti. All you know is conquering and taking what isn’t yours."

Alpha Marcus Grimwood, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke. His gravelly voice filled the chamber, commanding attention despite his measured tone. The eyepatch covering his right eye gave him a sinister appearance that had always made me wary.

"Perhaps there is a compromise to be found," he suggested. "Luna Aurora has a legitimate connection to the pack, yes, but no current legal standing. And Alpha Moretti, while you have no blood claim to Howlthorne territory, you do have a... personal interest in its welfare."

The way he emphasized "personal interest" made my wolf bristle. Victoria was not merely an interest—she was mine, my mate, my Luna.

"What are you suggesting, Alpha Grimwood?" I asked, keeping my tone neutral despite the growl building in my chest.

A calculating smile played at the corners of his mouth. "I believe Alpha Dominic Howlthorne left certain provisions in his will regarding his daughter, did he not? Provisions that would come into effect upon her maturity?"

I narrowed my eyes, wondering how Grimwood knew about those provisions. Victoria had only recently learned of them herself.

"He did," I confirmed cautiously. "Victoria Howlthorne is the rightful heir to half the Howlthorne holdings and has equal claim to pack leadership, pending her formal recognition as Luna."

Aurora made a sound of outrage. "That half-breed has no claim! Dominic was manipulated into that will by his human whore of a second wife!"

My control snapped. In an instant, I was across the table, one hand planted firmly on its surface as I leaned into Aurora’s space, my eyes burning amber as my wolf surged forward.

"You will not speak of my mate that way again," I growled, my voice dropping to the Alpha timbre that made lesser wolves submit. "The next insult from your mouth will be taken as a formal challenge between Shadow and what remains of Howlthorne leadership."

"Alpha Moretti!" Alpha Donovan’s shocked voice barely penetrated the red haze of my rage. "Control yourself!"

With supreme effort, I pulled back, straightening to my full height. "My apologies to the Council," I said formally, not sparing Aurora a glance. "But my point stands. Victoria Howlthorne is legitimate heir under pack law, and any disrespect toward her will be answered accordingly."

Alpha Helena cleared her throat. "Perhaps we should examine the exact terms of Alpha Dominic’s will before proceeding further."

I nodded, reaching into my inner jacket pocket for the document I’d brought precisely for this purpose. My lawyers had verified its authenticity multiple times—it was ironclad.

"According to these terms," Alpha Helena read aloud after examining the papers, "Victoria Howlthorne, upon reaching maturity at age eighteen, inherits fifty percent of all Howlthorne holdings and properties. Furthermore, she is granted equal claim to pack leadership alongside any blood heir of Alpha Dominic."

Aurora’s face contorted with fury. "This is absurd! A half-human cannot lead a werewolf pack! It goes against all our traditions!"

"Actually," Elder Maxwell interjected smoothly, "there is precedent. The Richardson Pack in the Western Territories was led by a half-blood Alpha for nearly two decades—quite successfully, I might add."

I shot him a surprised glance. Elder Maxwell was not known for progressive views on mixed bloodlines. His support was unexpected...

"The will further stipulates," Helena continued, "that until Victoria takes a mate of Alpha status or comes into her wolf, her interests in the pack are to be represented by a guardian of her choosing."

Aurora’s eyes gleamed triumphantly. "She has no wolf! Everyone knows that! She’s eighteen and hasn’t shifted once. By our laws, she’s practically human!"

I smiled coldly. "Which is why Alpha Dominic wisely included the guardian provision." I placed another document on the table. "This, filed yesterday with the Pack Registry, names me as Victoria’s chosen guardian and representative in all pack matters."

The room erupted again, voices overlapping as the Elders argued amongst themselves about precedent and protocol.

Alpha Donovan finally restored order by slamming his gavel on the table. "Enough! The documents appear legally binding. Until such time as Alpha Enzo Howlthorne is found—alive or dead—leadership of the Howlthorne Pack will be jointly administered by Luna Aurora as Enzo’s blood kin, and Alpha Leonard Moretti as the legal representative of Victoria Howlthorne’s interests."

Aurora surged to her feet. "This is outrageous! He’ll use this position to absorb our territory into Shadow Pack! Can’t you see what he’s doing?"

"What I see," Elder Helena said coolly, "is an Alpha acting within pack law to protect his mate’s inheritance. You would do well to remember, Luna Aurora, that joint administration means cooperation. Any unilateral decisions made without Alpha Moretti’s consent will be considered a violation of this ruling."

Aurora’s jaw worked as she fought for control, her eyes burning with hatred as she glared at me. "This isn’t over," she hissed, low enough that only I could hear. "You have no idea what forces you’re playing with, Alpha. By the time you realize, it will be too late for you and that half-breed bitch."

Ronan surged forward again, desperate to rip out her throat for the threat to Victoria. Only years of iron control kept me from transforming right there in the council chambers.

"Threats against my mate will end poorly for you," I murmured back, letting her see the predator beneath my civilized exterior. "Whatever game you’re playing, whoever you’re working with—remember that I didn’t become Alpha of Shadow Pack by showing mercy to those who cross me."

She stepped back, the first flicker of genuine fear crossing her features before her mask of indignation returned. With a dramatic swirl of her mourning dress, she stormed from the chambers, leaving the scent of rage and something else—anxiety—in her wake.

I exchanged meaningful glances with Tiny, who moved immediately to position security near all exits. Whatever Aurora was planning, we wouldn’t be caught unprepared.

"Thank you for your fair ruling," I addressed the Elders with practiced diplomacy, despite Ronan still snarling beneath my skin. "I assure the Council that Shadow Pack has no interest in absorbing Howlthorne territory. My only concern is protecting Victoria’s birthright and finding those responsible for Alpha Enzo’s disappearance."

Elder Helena’s shrewd eyes studied me carefully. "See that it remains so, Alpha Moretti. The Council will be watching this situation closely."

As the meeting adjourned, Beta Jackson approached with the latest security reports. "We’ve doubled patrols as ordered, Alpha. No unusual activity at the borders, but I’ve stationed trusted wolves near Aurora’s quarters. If she makes any suspicious moves..."

"Good." I nodded approvingly. "Keep me informed of everything, no matter how insignificant it seems."

The drive back to Shadow Pack territory felt interminable. Every mile that separated me from Victoria grated against my instincts. Since forming our mate bond, being apart physically pained me, especially with dangers circling so close. Ronan paced restlessly within, demanding to return to our mate, to ensure her safety with our own eyes.

*Soon,* I promised Ronan. *She’s safe. Carson has our best guards with her.*

Even so, my hands tightened on the steering wheel until my knuckles whitened. Aurora’s unexpected return, her threatening words, the mysterious circumstances of Enzo’s disappearance—all pointed to a calculated power play with Victoria caught in the crossfire.

When we finally crossed into Shadow territory, I felt something inside me ease slightly. Home. Territory. Mate. The primal part of my brain could focus on nothing else.

"Alpha," Tiny’s deep voice broke through my thoughts. "Victoria is waiting in your office. Carson reports everything quiet during our absence."

The moment I pushed open my office door, her scent enveloped me—wildflowers and honey. Victoria sat curled in the leather chair behind my desk, papers spread before her, brown hair cascading over her shoulders as she studied a document with intense concentration.

Everything else faded. The tension, the politics, the looming threats—all receded in importance compared to the woman before me.

She looked up, those intelligent brown eyes widening as she registered my presence. "Leo! I wasn’t expecting you back so soon. How did the council meeting—"

I crossed the room in three strides, pulling her to her feet and crushing her against me, burying my face in her neck to breathe in her scent. My wolf calmed immediately, the restless energy of our separation channeling into possessive need.

"I missed you," she whispered against my chest, her arms wrapping around my waist.