Chapter 53

Victoria "Garrett, of course," Lilith replied with a dismissive sniff. "And he's been drinking. Making grand speeches about 'pure bloodlines' and 'proper succession.' The usual garbage." I stood, straightening my shoulders despite my exhaustion. "I should address them." "Not tonight," Leo countered firmly. "Confronting drunk, angry wolves in the middle of the night is asking for trouble. Tiny and my security team will monitor the situation." "But if I don't respond—" I began. "You'll respond when you're rested and they're sober," Leo interrupted. "That's not weakness, Victoria. It's strategy." Lilith stepped further into the room, her arms crossed over her chest. "Alpha Leonard's right. Besides, their real concern isn't you—it's the uncertainty. They're afraid Alpha Grimwood will attack while we're distracted by internal politics, and they're not wrong to worry." She moved to the window, looking out at the moonlit grounds. "The rumors are already spreading beyond our borders. Without E