CHAPTER 37: CHAPTER 37 THE DEBT IS PAID IN BLOOD

Victoria

"He loved me," I whispered between hiccupping breaths. "He really loved me, Leo. And my mother too."

Leo’s hand stroked my hair gently. "Of course he did, little wolf. How could he not?"

I pulled back slightly, wiping tears from my cheeks. "You don’t understand. I always thought... I always believed I was just a disappointment to him."

Leo took the letter from my hands, his eyes scanning the contents quickly. His expression darkened when he reached the parts about Enzo and Aurora, but softened again at my father’s words about my birthright.

"Your father was right about one thing," Leo said finally, setting the letter aside. "You do have Alpha blood in you. I’ve sensed it from the beginning—that strength in you that refuses to submit, even to me." His lips quirked in a half-smile. "It drives my wolf crazy in the best possible way."

A watery laugh escaped me. "And now I find out I’m technically the rightful Alpha of the Howlthorne pack. It’s too much to process."

Leo’s expression turned serious. "What do you want to do with this information, Victoria? With this inheritance?"

I stood up, moving to the window to gather my thoughts as I looked out over Leo’s—our—territory. The question weighed heavily. Did I want to reclaim my father’s pack? Challenge Enzo for leadership? The very thought was intimidating.

"I want to honor my father’s memory," I said finally, turning back to face Leo. "I want to accept my role as Alpha Howlthorne’s daughter. Not necessarily to take over the pack immediately, but to at least acknowledge my heritage and responsibility to those pack members who remained loyal to my father."

Leo nodded, his eyes reflecting approval. "Whatever you decide, I’ll support you. "

I moved back to him, allowing myself to be pulled onto his lap. "Thank you," I whispered, pressing my forehead against his. "For understanding."

His fingers traced my jawline tenderly. "We’re partners now, Victoria. Your battles are mine."

Later that afternoon, after I’d had time to compose myself, we met with Leo’s attorneys to finalize the merger of our assets. Sitting at the massive table in Leo’s home office, I watched as documents were spread before us—property deeds, business holdings, investment portfolios—all being legally divided to make me co-owner of everything Leo possessed.

"Just sign here, Luna," the attorney indicated, sliding a sleek fountain pen toward me.

As I signed my name next to Leo’s on document after document, I felt a profound shift inside me. This wasn’t just about money or property. This was Leo—feared Alpha, dangerous predator, ruthless businessman—voluntarily making himself vulnerable by sharing everything he’d built.

When we reached the final document, Leo paused, his hand covering mine before I could sign.

"Are you sure about this, Victoria?" he asked quietly, his eyes searching mine. "Once you sign, half of everything I own becomes yours. My businesses, my territories... everything."

"Are you having second thoughts?" I challenged, suddenly worried he was regretting his offer.

His smile was slow and predatory. "Not at all, little wolf. I just want you to understand the power you’re accepting. Some of my businesses operate in... gray areas. You’ll be legally tied to all of it."

I met his gaze steadily. "I know exactly what I’m signing, Leo. Just as you knew what you were accepting when you signed papers making you co-owner of my inheritance." I leaned closer, my voice dropping. "I trust you with my father’s legacy. Do you trust me with yours?"

In answer, Leo lifted my hand to his lips, pressing a kiss to my palm before releasing me to sign the final document. The moment my signature was complete, he pulled me into a searing kiss that left me breathless.

"Now you’re truly mine," he growled against my lips. "And I am truly yours."

The attorneys quickly gathered their papers and excused themselves, clearly sensing the rising tension between us. As soon as the door closed behind them, Leo lifted me onto his desk, scattering papers as his mouth claimed mine again.

"Do you have any idea what it does to Ronan," he murmured between kisses, "seeing you take your rightful place as my Luna? Sharing everything I’ve built?"

His hands slid beneath my dress, fingers finding the lace edge of my underwear as I wrapped my legs around his waist. "Show me," I challenged.

Later, as we lay tangled together on the office couch, my body pleasantly sore and Leo’s chest rising and falling steadily beneath my cheek, I felt more secure than I ever had in my life.

Our peaceful moment was interrupted by a sharp knock at the door. Leo tensed beneath me, instantly alert.

"Enter," he called, making sure I was decently covered before Tiny stepped into the room.

"Sorry to disturb you, Alpha, Luna," Tiny said, his expression grim. "But we have a situation."

Leo sat up straighter, his arm still protectively around me. "What is it?"

"It’s about Enzo Howlthorne," Tiny reported, his eyes flicking briefly to me. "Our sources inside the Howlthorne territory report he’s gone missing. Disappeared sometime in the last twenty-four hours."

"Missing?" I repeated, a cold feeling settling in my stomach. "What do you mean, missing?"

"He didn’t show up for scheduled pack business this morning. His Beta went to his quarters and found signs of a struggle. Blood on the sheets, furniture overturned." Tiny hesitated. "And a message written on the mirror. In what appears to be blood."

Leo’s grip on me tightened. "What did the message say?"

Tiny’s expression darkened further. "It said, ’The debt is paid in blood.’"