Chapter 0334

The moment we step out of the shower, Victor immediately calls Alpha Adrian. I hear the urgency in his voice, but I make him postpone the meeting. This place still feels foreign to me, and I'm not prepared to face those two Alphas yet. They're looking at me with Guardian expectations shining in their eyes, and that's a weight I can't shoulder right now.

Victor's fingers intertwine with mine as we go searching for Leopold. We find his office door slightly ajar, raised voices spilling into the hallway.

"This pack belongs to me now, regardless of his return!" A stranger's voice booms.

Leopold's response comes sharp and clear. "I've told you before - you hold no authority here. You don't make the rules, and I won't step aside while you destroy everything we've built." His voice doesn't waver. Victor chose well when appointing him Beta, wolf or not.

Victor strides in without knocking. "Problem?" His single word carries authority.

I scan the room quickly. Leopold stands firm behind his desk while three men loom over him in clear intimidation. Their leader whips around to face Victor.

"You've been absent too long. The Alpha title no longer belongs to you," the man sneers.

Victor's aura erupts before he even speaks. Again, I question whether Beta blood truly runs through his veins. His dominance surpasses any Beta I've encountered, and I've met plenty during my childhood.

The challenger visibly flinches under Victor's power. Victor closes the distance between them in two strides, invading the man's personal space. "If this is your formal challenge for Alpha position, I'll gladly accept." His quiet tone holds deadly promise.

The man's gaze flicks to me. "Brave words from someone hiding behind a Guardian."

I laugh sharply. "Hide? Look at him - he could snap you in half without breaking a sweat." My words leave no doubt about where my confidence lies.

Victor cocks his head. "Your move." The physical contrast between them couldn't be more obvious. Victor towers over the man, his shoulders nearly twice as broad, every inch of him hardened muscle. The challenger looks like he's never trained a day in his life.

"Fine." The man jerks his chin at his companions. "Let's go." As he passes Victor, he attempts a shoulder check that backfires spectacularly when Victor doesn't budge an inch. The impact visibly jars the challenger instead.

I shut the door behind them. Leopold collapses into his chair, dragging both hands down his face. "This is what I needed to discuss with you," he tells Victor.

Victor pulls out a chair for me before taking the seat beside me. "Explain."

"Rumors have been spreading about multiple wolves preparing to challenge for Alpha. I've managed to maintain order while you were gone, but without a wolf..." Leopold shakes his head. "Alistair isn't the only one scheming."

"How many?" Victor's voice turns grim.

"Between three and five, possibly more. Though some might back down now that you've returned."

Victor considers this. "Arrange formal challenges for anyone contesting my right as Alpha."

"Victor." My protest comes automatically. This isn't how I envisioned our first days together.

He turns to me. "It's the only way to establish order. Uncertainty in the hierarchy breeds chaos. Once we settle this, we can focus on rebuilding properly." His eyes gleam with determination. "This time, we'll make it official - Alpha, Luna, and Beta ceremonies with every pack member pledging loyalty. I intend to formalize this pack completely. There are matters I need to discuss with Alpha Adrian and Alpha Sebastian about making that happen."