Chapter 60: Chapter 60 Magic
Leo
Devil’s Lair
"Alpha, we have confirmation." Carson’s voice cut through my concentration as he approached with a tablet in hand. His normally composed features were tense with urgency. "Marcus has been mobilizing forces along the northern border of Howlthorne territory. At least thirty fighters, all combat-trained."
Ronan growled deep within me. *This threatens our mate.*
I took the tablet, examining the satellite imagery with narrowed eyes. "When were these taken?"
"Less than three hours ago. Our operative managed to intercept communications suggesting they’re preparing for some kind of operation within the next forty-eight hours."
I swiped through the images, my jaw clenching. "And what about the other intelligence?"
Carson lowered his voice. "There’s been movement at an abandoned hunting lodge near the eastern ridge of Howlthorne territory. It matches the pattern we’ve been tracking."
"Enzo and Aurora," I murmured, the pieces clicking into place.
"It appears so, Alpha. The energy signatures our trackers detected suggest two werewolves being held there. One male, one female."
I set the tablet down, my mind racing through scenarios and countermoves. Marcus was playing a dangerous game—holding Enzo and Aurora hostage while simultaneously moving forces into position. But for what? A direct attack would violate pack law and bring the wrath of the Northern Territory Council down on him. No, Marcus was too calculating for something so crude.
*He wants Victoria,* Ronan snarled within me. *Our mate. Our Luna.*
The possessiveness that flooded my system at that thought was almost overwhelming.
My phone vibrated with an incoming call from Tiny. "What is it?" I answered sharply.
"Alpha, urgent news," Tiny’s deep voice rumbled through the speaker. "Marcus Grimwood just arrived at the Northern Territory Council Chamber. He’s participating in today’s Alpha meeting."
Ice flooded my veins. "Victoria is there."
"Don’t worry, Alpha. Luna Victoria’s holding her own from what our sources say, but Alpha Marcus is clearly making moves to undermine her authority."
I was already moving toward the exit, signaling to Carson to continue monitoring the situation. "I’m heading there now. Keep surveillance on those troops at the border and the hunting lodge. No one moves without my direct order."
"Understood, Alpha."
As I slid behind the wheel of my Aston Martin, Ronan’s agitation mirrored my own. Victoria was intelligent and capable, but she was still new to pack politics. Marcus had been playing this game for decades, manipulating alliances and eliminating obstacles with ruthless precision.
*She is stronger than you give her credit for,* Ronan reminded me. *Our Luna has claws.*
The thought brought a grim smile to my face as I accelerated toward the council building. Victoria did indeed have claws, and in the past month, she’d learned to use them effectively. The transformation from the frightened, uncertain girl I’d first encountered to the confident leader who now commanded respect had been remarkable to witness.
By the time I arrived at the imposing glass and stone structure that housed the council chambers, the afternoon session was well underway. I slipped in through a side entrance, using my considerable influence to gain access without formal announcement. From the shadows of an observation alcove, I watched Victoria face down the council with a poise that stirred both pride and desire within me.
She sat in her father’s seat as if born to it, her elegant gray suit accentuating the natural authority she now wielded. When Richard Kane attempted to seize portions of Howlthorne territory, I tensed, prepared to intervene if necessary. But Victoria countered with a brilliant strategic proposal—our joint security initiative—that effectively neutralized Kane’s power play.
*She doesn’t need our protection here,* Ronan observed with satisfaction. *She is magnificent.*
I had to agree. Watching Victoria outmaneuver seasoned Alphas with grace and intelligence awakened something primal in me. My wolf preened at the thought that this exceptional woman would be our mate—our Luna.
As the session concluded, I approached Elder Maxwell in the corridor, making my presence known.
"Alpha Moretti," the white-haired elder greeted me with cautious respect. "An unexpected pleasure. The council wasn’t informed you would be attending today."
"I’m not here in an official capacity, Elder," I replied smoothly. "Merely as an interested observer."
His eyes crinkled knowingly. "Interested in our proceedings... or in a particular participant?"
Before I could respond, Victoria emerged from the chamber with her Beta, Garrett, at her side. The momentary flash of surprise in her eyes quickly gave way to composed recognition.
"Alpha Moretti," she greeted formally, maintaining our public façade of professional distance.
"Alpha Howlthorne," I returned with equal formality, though my wolf strained toward her. "Your proposal was impressive. The Northern Territory will benefit from such forward-thinking security measures."
"Thank you," she replied, her eyes communicating much more than her words. "Elder Maxwell, if you’ll excuse us, I believe Alpha Moretti and I have some business matters to discuss before my return to Howlthorne territory."
The elder nodded, his expression suggesting he understood perfectly well what kind of "business" might exist between us. "Of course, Victoria. You’ve done your father proud today."
Once we were alone in the privacy of my car, the professional masks slipped away. I pulled her to me, inhaling the intoxicating mixture of her natural scent and the adrenaline still coursing through her system.
"You were remarkable in there," I murmured against her hair. "Even Helena Stone was impressed, and that old she-wolf is notoriously difficult to please."
Victoria pulled back to look at me, her brown eyes bright with lingering excitement from her triumph. "I felt like I was playing a part at first, but then something clicked. This is who I am now—who I was always meant to be."
I traced the line of her jaw with my thumb, desire pooling low in my abdomen. "Yes, it is. You’re a natural Alpha, little wolf."
Her lips curved into a smile at the pet name before sobering. "Marcus knows something, Leo. The way he watched me, the things he insinuated about us..."
"We have new intelligence," I told her, shifting gears as I drove us toward the secure location we’d established for sensitive conversations. "Marcus is mobilizing forces near your northern border. And we’ve located what we believe is Enzo and Aurora’s holding site."
Victoria stiffened beside me, her scent sharpening with alarm. "Where?"
"An abandoned hunting lodge on the eastern ridge of Howlthorne land. My team has been tracking energy signatures consistent with two werewolves being held there."
"That’s barely five miles from where my father was killed," she breathed, connections forming behind her eyes. "Marcus is planning something big, isn’t he? Today’s council meeting, the troops, holding Enzo and Aurora so close to Howlthorne territory... it’s all connected."
I nodded grimly. "I believe he’s setting the stage for something. Trying to isolate you politically while positioning for a physical takeover of Howlthorne lands."
"We can’t just wait for him to make his move," Victoria said firmly, determination hardening her features into something fierce and beautiful. "We need to act first."
As she began outlining potential countermoves, her mind working with impressive tactical clarity, I found myself increasingly distracted by her presence. The confidence she exuded, the sharp intelligence in her eyes, the subtle power in her movements—all of it called to me. Desire coursed through my veins, hot and demanding.
*Take her,* Ronan urged. *Claim our Luna properly.*
Victoria must have sensed the change in me, because she paused mid-sentence, her eyes darkening as they met mine. "Leo? What is it?"
I pulled the car into the private garage of our safe house, killing the engine before turning to her. "Do you have any idea how irresistible you are right now?" I growled, my control slipping. "Watching you command that room of Alphas, outthinking Marcus at his own game... it makes me want to claim you all over again."
Her breath hitched as my lips brushed against her earlobe. "We should be focusing on the crisis," she protested weakly.
"We will," I assured her, my hand sliding up her thigh. "But first, I need to taste my Luna."