Chapter 86

Leo I paced the length of my study, anxiety churning in my gut despite the outward calm I tried to project. The Council’s arrival was precisely the complication we didn’t need right now—not with Marcus still at large and a traitor possibly hiding among us. When the door opened, my wolf surged forward. My tension eased only slightly when I saw her—Victoria. Even harried and worried, she was breathtaking, her chestnut hair falling in loose waves around her shoulders, her eyes bright with determination. My mate. My Luna. My everything. “Leo,” she breathed, crossing the room quickly. I pulled her into my arms before she could say another word, burying my face in her hair, inhaling her scent—wildflowers laced with the earthy sweetness of fresh rain. The bond between us thrummed, alive with shared anxiety but also with the strength we drew from each other. “I came as soon as I heard,” I murmured, brushing a kiss against her temple. “Are you alright?” Victoria leaned back just enough to meet