Chapter 95

Leo I stood in the empty hall for what felt like hours after Victoria left, her words echoing in my mind like physical blows. Like property to be claimed and defended? The accusation cut deeper than any blade. Was that really how I saw her? How I'd been treating her? My wolf Ronan paced restlessly in my mind, equally agitated. She's our mate. We protect what's ours.But even as the thought formed, I winced. Ours. There it was again—that possessive language that had driven Victoria away. I replayed the scene with Garrett, seeing it now through different eyes. Yes, the boy had been out of line. Yes, his interest in Victoria was inappropriate. But had my response been about protecting her authority as Alpha, or had it been about marking my territory like some primitive beast? The answer made my stomach turn. I'd undermined her in front of her own warriors. I'd reduced her to "mine" instead of recognizing her as the powerful leader she'd become. And worst of all, I'd done it while convincin