Chapter 94: Chapter 94 Argue
Victoria
My breath caught. Gasps echoed through the hall. Garrett’s defiance was no longer private—it was public, a challenge that could shatter unity if I didn’t act.
Leo’s aura flared, crushing and suffocating. "Careful, boy," he growled. "You’re one word away from forgetting your place."
I stepped forward, forcing myself between them, my voice sharp as a blade. "Enough!"
The pressure eased slightly, though I could feel Leo’s fury vibrating at my back. I turned on Garrett first, my heart pounding.
"You will remember your role. You are acting Beta of Howlthorne, not its Alpha. If you truly respect me, you won’t tear this pack apart with your pride."
Then I swung my gaze to Leo. "And you. This is my pack. I value your counsel, but you cannot crush my warriors under your dominance every time they question. They need to respect me, not fear you."
Silence hung heavy. My wolf clawed at my chest, demanding I stand taller, louder.
"Listen well. Leo is my mate, and his voice will always matter when it comes to my safety. But I am the Alpha of Howlthorne. Every decision here begins and ends with me."
The hall stilled. My declaration cut through the tension like steel. Garrett’s face fell, shame flickering before stubbornness hardened his jaw. He bowed his head stiffly.
"Understood, Alpha."
Leo’s hand flexed at my waist, a silent warning that he saw it too. His voice was a low growl. "If anyone here doubts where Victoria stands, remember this—she is mine. And I will destroy anyone who forgets it."
The warriors bowed their heads quickly, murmurs of assent rippling through them. But the undercurrent remained, sharp and uneasy.
When the meeting finally broke, Jackson moved to handle the schedules, ushering warriors out. Garrett lingered for a moment, his eyes catching mine in one last flash of defiance before he left with Jackson’s firm hand on his shoulder.
Leo released me only once the hall emptied, but the heat of his touch lingered, equal parts comfort and chain.
"What the hell was that?" I demanded the moment we were alone, my voice trembling with barely contained anger. "You completely undermined my authority in front of my warriors."
Leo’s eyes narrowed, his stance rigid. "That boy was challenging more than your authority, Victoria. He wants you."
"So what if he does?" I threw back. "Do you think I’m so weak that I can’t handle an infatuated warrior without my big, strong mate marking his territory?"
"This isn’t about your strength," Leo growled, pacing like a caged predator. "It’s about respect. About boundaries that he’s deliberately crossing."
"And you think the solution is to storm in like some possessive caveman?" My fists clenched at my sides. "Those warriors need to see me as a leader, Leo. Not as your pretty little pet!"
Leo froze, his expression darkening. "Is that what you think? That I see you as a pet?"
"How else am I supposed to interpret your behavior?" I challenged. "You come in, flex your Alpha power, and announce to everyone that I’m ’yours’ like I’m property!"
"An Alpha needs strength to protect what’s hers," Leo said, his expression darkening. "Marcus Grimwood is out there planning his next move, and you’re worried about your warriors’ feelings"
"I’m worried about building a unified pack," I countered. "Something that won’t happen if you keep undermining my authority."
Leo’s jaw clenched. "Going to the hospital today was risky enough. I won’t apologize for protecting what’s mine."
"I had Tiny with me," I reminded him. "And Emma."
"A human and my Beta," Leo said dismissively. "If Marcus had decided to strike—"
"Then I would have fought," I finished for him. "I’m not helpless, Leo.I’m growing stronger every day."
Leo moved closer, towering over me. "You think I don’t know that?" His voice dropped to a whisper that somehow carried more power than his shouts. "You think I don’t see how extraordinary you are? How every day you become more than anyone expected?"
I blinked, thrown by the sudden shift in his tone.
"That’s exactly why I can’t lose you," he continued, reaching out to trace my cheekbone with his thumb.
The tenderness in his touch contrasted sharply with the possessiveness in his words. Ava purred at his proximity, even as my human side bristled at the implication.
"I’m not going anywhere," I promised, leaning into his touch despite myself. "But you have to trust me to handle my own pack members. Including Garrett."
Leo’s jaw tightened. "I trust you. It’s him I don’t trust."
"Then trust my judgment," I countered. "I know what I’m doing."
Leo’s eyes searched mine for a long moment before he nodded reluctantly. "Fine. But if he steps out of line again—"
"He won’t," I said firmly, though I wasn’t entirely convinced myself.
The tension between us still crackled like electricity. I could feel the weight of everything unsaid—his fear, my frustration, the growing pressure of leading a pack while Marcus lurked in the shadows.
"I need some air," I said, stepping back from his touch. "I need to think."
Leo’s hand shot out, grasping my arm gently but firmly. "Victoria, we’re not done talking about this."
The touch that usually brought me comfort now felt like a shackle. All the anger and frustration I’d been holding back exploded to the surface.
"Let go of me," I said quietly, my voice deadly calm.
"Not until we—"
"I said let go!" I jerked my arm away with more force than necessary, surprising us both. Leo’s hand fell to his side, his expression shifting from concern to shock.
"You want to protect me?" I continued, my voice rising. "Then support me! Don’t undermine me in front of my warriors because you’re feeling territorial!"
"Territorial?" Leo’s voice was incredulous. "Victoria, that boy was openly challenging me for you. In front of your entire pack!"
"So what?" I threw my hands up in exasperation. "Do you think I’m so weak, so easily swayed, that I’ll just fall into the arms of the first man who shows interest?"
"That’s not what I—"
"Isn’t it?" I stepped closer, my eyes blazing. "Because that’s exactly how you’re acting. Like I’m some fragile little flower who can’t handle a young warrior’s crush without her big, strong Alpha swooping in to save her."
Leo’s jaw clenched. "You’re twisting my words."
"Am I?" I laughed bitterly. "Leo, I’ve survived years of abuse from Enzo. I’ve awakened powers I never knew I had. I’ve taken control of a fractured pack and begun rebuilding it from the ground up. But somehow, you think I can’t handle one lovesick Beta?"
"This isn’t about your strength," Leo growled, his own temper finally showing. "It’s about respect. About making sure everyone knows—"
"That I belong to you?" I finished. "Like a possession? Like property to be claimed and defended?"
The words hung between us like a blade. Leo’s face went very still, and for a moment, I saw hurt flash across his features before his walls slammed back up.
"Is that really what you think of me?" His voice was quiet now, dangerous in its calm. "After everything we’ve been through?"
Part of me wanted to take it back, to smooth over the jagged edges of this fight. But I was too angry, too frustrated by the impossible position I found myself in.
"I think you’re so used to controlling everything and everyone around you that you can’t see when you’re hurting the person you claim to love," I said, my voice trembling with emotion.
Leo flinched as if I’d struck him. "Victoria—"
"No," I held up a hand, backing toward the door. "I need space, Leo. I need to think without you hovering over me, making decisions for me, or treating me like I’m made of glass."
"Where are you going?" His voice was carefully controlled, but I could hear the underlying panic.
"Somewhere I can breathe," I said, not turning around. "Somewhere I can remember who I am without someone else’s expectations weighing me down."
I reached for the door handle, but Leo’s voice stopped me.
"Victoria, please. Marcus is still out there. It’s not safe for you to be alone."
I turned back to face him, and the raw vulnerability in his eyes almost broke my resolve. Almost.
"Then maybe," I said softly, "you should have thought about that before you decided to treat me like a child who can’t make her own decisions."
With that, I walked out, leaving Leo standing alone in the empty hall. But even as I walked away, I could feel the mate bond stretching between us, pulling at my heart with every step.
My wolf whined in distress, wanting to go back to our mate. But my human side was too hurt, too angry at being reduced to something that needed constant protection rather than a partner worthy of respect.
I needed to prove—to Leo, to my pack, and to myself—that I was more than just someone to be protected. I was an Alpha in my own right, and it was time everyone started treating me like one.