Chapter 52: Chapter 52 Diary
Victoria
The grandfather clock in my father’s study chimed eleven times, each resonant tone echoing through the silent room. I’d been sitting at his massive oak desk for hours now, surrounded by stacks of documents that demanded immediate attention. The responsibility of being Howlthorne’s acting Alpha had descended upon me with crushing weight, leaving little time to process everything that had happened since my return.
My fingers traced the edge of a territory agreement that needed renewal by the end of the month. The neighboring Cedar Moon Pack had been allies with Howlthorne for generations, but would they honor the agreement with a half-blood at the helm? With a female? These questions plagued me as I sorted through the mountain of paperwork.
"Father would be proud," I whispered to myself, trying to draw strength from the thought.
*He always believed in you,* Ava murmured within me. *Even when you didn’t believe in yourself.*
Ava had been restless all evening, sensing my exhaustion but providing quiet support as I navigated my new responsibilities. The pendant around my neck felt heavier with each passing hour, a constant reminder of what I had taken on.
As I reached for another folder, my hand brushed against something that had been partially concealed beneath a stack of legal documents—a leather-bound journal, worn at the edges from frequent handling. I recognized it immediately as my father’s personal diary.
My heart quickened. This was private, meant for his eyes alone. Yet something compelled me to open it, to seek guidance from the man who could no longer provide it in person.
The pages were filled with his bold, slanting handwriting—entries dating back years. I found myself turning to entries from around the time of my mother’s death, my throat tightening as I began to read:
*May 18th*
*Victoria smiled today. First time since the funeral. Found her in Elizabeth’s garden, talking to the roses as if they could hear her. She has her mother’s gentleness, but there’s strength there too—a quiet determination I recognize from looking in the mirror. Aurora says I coddle the child too much. Perhaps she’s right, but how can I not want to protect the last piece of Elizabeth I have left in this world?*
Tears pricked at my eyes. I flipped forward several years, landing on an entry from when I was twelve:
*December 3rd*
*Aurora’s hatred of Victoria grows more obvious each day. She claims it’s concern for pack purity, but I see the jealousy behind her words. Today she suggested sending Victoria away to a human school permanently. I refused. The girl belongs here, half-blood or not. She is my daughter, my blood. Someday, they will all see what I see in her.*
My hands trembled slightly as I turned to entries from the year before his death:
*July 15th*
*Met with Marcus today. His proposal is insulting—a merger of packs with Enzo to marry his daughter. Claims it would strengthen both bloodlines, but I see his hunger for Howlthorne territory. Aurora seemed too interested in his offer. I must watch her carefully. Something has shifted in her eyes when she looks at me lately. After all these years, I fear her ambition still outweighs her loyalty.*
*September 8th*
*I’ve amended my will today. Should anything happen to me before Victoria comes of age, Jackson will serve as her guardian and advisor. The pack must remain with my blood, and though Enzo is my son, I fear what Aurora has made of him. Victoria has her mother’s heart and my determination. When the time comes, she will be ready. I’ve arranged for certain trusts to remain in her name alone—funds Enzo cannot touch. Aurora must never know.*
The final entry, dated just three days before his death, made my blood run cold:
*October 12th*
*Aurora disappeared for hours yesterday. When questioned, her excuses were flimsy. I followed her scent today—it led to the old hunting cabin at the northern border. Marcus’s scent was there too, fresh. No longer any doubt about her betrayal. I’ve contacted my lawyer to finalize the changes to my will and secure Victoria’s future. Tomorrow I’ll confront Aurora. Whatever happens, my daughter must be protected.*
"Oh, Daddy," I whispered, a tear falling onto the page. The truth I had suspected but never confirmed was there in black and white. Aurora had betrayed him. Had likely played a role in his death. And he had known—had tried to protect me even in his final days.
The sudden sound of the study door opening made me quickly close the journal. Leo stood in the doorway, his powerful frame silhouetted against the hallway light. "It’s nearly midnight, little wolf," he said, his deep voice softening as he approached the desk. "You should rest."
I hastily wiped away my tears, but of course he noticed—his heightened senses missing nothing. "Just reviewing some documents," I said, attempting nonchalance.
Leo came around the desk, his hand gentle as he tilted my chin up to meet his gaze. His eyes, those intense eyes that could freeze enemies in their tracks, warmed as they studied my face.
"You’ve been crying," he observed, his thumb brushing away a lingering tear. "What did you find?"
I hesitated, then handed him the journal. "My father’s diary. He knew, Leo. He knew Aurora was conspiring with Marcus before he died."
Leo took the journal, his expression darkening as he scanned the final entries. "This confirms what we suspected," he said, placing the journal carefully on the desk. "Marcus and Aurora have likely been planning this for years."
"If I had known sooner..." I began, the weight of guilt pressing down on me.
"Don’t," Leo interrupted firmly. "You couldn’t have known. Your father was trying to shield you."
He moved behind me, his strong hands coming to rest on my shoulders, kneading the tension that had gathered there. I leaned back against him, drawing comfort from his solid presence.
"The pack is restless," I confessed, gesturing to the reports I’d been reading. "Three families have already requested permission to relocate to allied territories until the ’leadership situation’ is resolved."
Leo’s hands stilled for a moment before continuing their soothing motion. "It’s expected. Change brings uncertainty, and uncertainty breeds fear."
"They don’t believe I can protect them," I said, voicing the thought that had been haunting me all evening. "A hybrid with a newly awakened wolf—why would they?"
Leo turned my chair to face him, crouching down so we were at eye level. The intensity of his gaze made my breath catch.
"Because you are stronger than any of them know," he said, his voice low and certain. "Because you are mine, and I am yours, and together there is nothing we cannot face."
His words wrapped around me like a shield, bolstering my flagging spirits.
"I found something else," I said, pulling another folder from beneath the stack. "Financial records showing substantial transfers to offshore accounts in Enzo’s name. He’s been siphoning pack funds for years, Leo."
Leo’s jaw tightened as he took the folder, flipping through the documents with increasing tension in his shoulders. "This explains how he accumulated such significant debt to my organization so quickly. He wasn’t just gambling with his own money—he was gambling with the pack’s future."
A soft knock at the door interrupted us. Lilith stood in the doorway, her normally perfect appearance slightly disheveled after a long day of helping manage the sudden transition. Despite our complicated history, I had to admit she was proving herself valuable—her knowledge of pack politics and administration filling gaps in my own understanding.
"Sorry to interrupt," she said, her eyes darting between Leo and me. "But we have a situation developing. Several of the younger pack members are gathering in the south field. There’s talk of challenging your authority, Victoria."
I felt a spike of alarm, but Leo’s steadying hand on my shoulder kept me grounded.
"Who’s leading them?" he asked Lilith, his voice deceptively calm.