Chapter 92: Chapter 92 Her Wolf Already Claimed
Victoria
The pack hospital smelled of antiseptic and quiet misery. Every step echoed too loudly in the sterile corridor, reminding me how fragile even wolves could be when cut down in battle. Emma walked beside me, brushing her hand against mine from time to time—her silent way of saying I’m here, breathe.
"How is he?" I asked softly when I reached Enzo’s bed. Lilith was there, thinner than yesterday, her eyes ringed with exhaustion.
Her voice cracked. "He woke once last night, but only for a moment. The doctors say the bleeding has stopped, but his wolf is struggling to heal. Before he went under again, he called your name. He... he feels guilty for what he did."
A lump rose in my throat. Part of me wanted to believe that guilt meant redemption. Another part whispered he could break me again if I let him too close. "That’s why I’m giving him another chance," I said quietly. "He’s still my brother. Still our pack."
Lilith clung to me, her arms desperate and shaking. "When he wakes again, I’ll call you. I promise."
"Thank you," I whispered, hugging her back. But inside, it felt like carrying a stone too heavy for my chest.
Outside the room, Emma slid her arm around my shoulders. "You okay?"
"I have to be," I answered honestly. "The pack needs me to be."
Tiny cleared his throat behind us. "Luna, Beta Jackson requests your presence. The core members will gather in the hall at two."
I checked my watch—just over an hour. "Then let’s go."
The pack house’s main hall had been turned into a war room. Maps sprawled across the long table, pins and markers showing borders, supply lines, and danger zones. Warriors filed in, their footsteps heavy, their gazes sharp. Most were scarred men with wary eyes and thick shoulders, but a handful of women sat in the back, postures cautious, as if they knew their place was still questioned.
The moment I entered, silence fell. Dozens of eyes turned to me—not just Leo’s mate, but a leader they were measuring. I drew in a deep breath and let my voice ring steady.
"Thank you all for coming. As you know, we face three threats: Marcus Grimwood’s aggression, the Blood Moon approaching, and Alpha Enzo’s condition leaving us exposed."
I pointed to the map, my hand steady though my stomach twisted. "Alpha Leo is reinforcing the northern border himself. But we need more than patrols. We need full preparation."
Jackson leaned forward. "Preparation for what exactly?"
"For anything," I said firmly. "Grimwood didn’t lay this many traps just to retreat. He’s waiting for the Blood Moon to strike."
Garrett’s voice cut through the stillness, strong and certain. "She’s right. My scouts report more movement near the old mines."
I nodded in thanks. "Jackson, your assessment?"
"Our fighters are strong, but Grimwood has numbers. We need endurance drills and more work with silver blades."
"Do it," I ordered. "Take what resources you need."
Garrett rose to his feet, his tall frame brimming with energy. "There’s something else. We’re ignoring half our strength. The female wolves. They should be trained for direct combat, not just defense."
The hall rumbled with disapproval. An older warrior snorted. "Women lack the killer instinct. Their place is guarding pups and tending the wounded."
I felt heat crawl up my spine, not of shame but of anger. If Leo were here, he would have cut that man down with a single glare, let the weight of his Alpha aura crush the room into silence. But that wasn’t my way. If I was to be seen as more than Leo’s Luna, I needed to fight differently—through words, through choices.
So I lifted my chin, voice sharp as a blade. "Is that so? Care to test that theory against me?"
The silence that followed was absolute. Even Tiny’s eyes widened.
Garrett’s gaze blazed, admiration written all over his face. "She’s right. Tradition has chained us too long. In the wild, females fight just as fiercely. Sometimes fiercer."
"He’s right," I said, stepping into the role I once thought impossible. "From tomorrow, any woman who wants combat training will have it. Voluntary, not forced—but no one will be denied the choice."
Jackson’s brow furrowed. "Alpha Leo—"
"—will support whatever keeps us alive," I cut him off. My voice didn’t tremble. For a fleeting second, I imagined Leo beside me, his hand resting firm on my shoulder, silently backing every word I spoke. That image steadied me more than I wanted to admit.
And then I realized—that was how he’d always pushed me forward.
The shift in the room was palpable. A few of the younger women looked at me with tears bright in their eyes. Even the older warriors stayed silent. Respect—that rare, fragile thing—had begun to take root.
The meeting stretched on for another hour: patrols, evacuation routes, supply caches. My voice carried through each topic, and though I still felt the weight of every gaze, I also felt the growing certainty in their nods.
When we adjourned, warriors filtered out one by one, some offering brief words of support. But Garrett lingered. His eyes never left me, and the heat in them was no longer about strategy or loyalty. It was personal. Too personal.
"Alpha Victoria," he approached as I gathered my notes. "That was... inspiring. You’re exactly what Howlthorne needs."
"Thank you, Garrett," I replied carefully. "But this is a group effort. Your suggestion about training the females was brilliant."
His smile widened, eyes locked on mine with an intensity that felt suddenly uncomfortable. "I’ve always believed in breaking outdated traditions. Especially when they hold back exceptional wolves... like you."
Ava stirred uneasily at the undercurrent in his voice. This wasn’t just admiration for an Alpha—there was something more personal in his gaze, something that felt dangerously close to desire.
"I should check on preparations for tomorrow," I said, taking a step back.
Tiny materialized at my side, as if sensing my discomfort. "Luna, Leo called. He’ll be back within the hour."
Relief washed through me at the mention of my mate. Garrett’s expression darkened slightly at Leo’s name before he masked it with another smile.
"Of course," he said smoothly. "I’ll see you at the female training session tomorrow."