Chapter 0437

Victor was born to lead. Even before he became Alpha, his natural authority shone brighter than any I'd ever known—including my own father. Seeing him finally embrace his true role filled me with pride. He wasn't some imposter. He was the real deal. Always had been.

The following morning, we drove two hours north to meet Theodore. Victor insisted we spare the elderly man the shock of encountering our pack territory if he reacted badly to our revelation. He'd scouted a tiny roadside diner in the middle of nowhere—perfect for private conversations.

We claimed a corner booth first. Watching Victor sprawl in his seat, I was hit with déjà vu.

"Something amusing, little wolf?" His eyebrow arched.

"You're sitting exactly like you did when those red wolves were hunting us." My fingers traced the chipped Formica table. "Even back then, when I was still pushing you away, you protected me like a true mate."

Magnus surged forward in Victor's gaze, turning his eyes molten gold. "You've been ours since the first second we saw you. To love. To protect. That never changes." My heart stuttered at the raw devotion in his voice.

Aurora pressed against my skin as I cradled his jaw. "We love you too," we whispered in unison.

The door's jingle interrupted us. Theodore stood frozen in the entryway, eyes darting between us.

"Theodore!" I launched myself at him. His gnarled hands gripped my shoulders as he stepped back, scanning me head to toe.

"Lord have mercy, girl. You were grown when I last saw you, but now you look..." He shook his head. "Different."

"Life's been... eventful." I gestured to Victor, who'd moved to stand beside me. "You remember Victor."

"Course I do." Theodore's calloused hand swallowed Victor's. "Good to see you treating our girl right."

As we settled into the booth, Theodore kept studying us. "Now what's this big secret y'all are sweating bullets over?"

Victor leaned forward. "How do you feel about wildlife?"

Theodore snorted. "Boy, I was raised knee-deep in rattlesnakes and coyotes."

"We don't just live near wildlife." I laced my fingers together. "We are wildlife."

The old man stilled. His fork clinked against the plate as he set it down with deliberate calm. "Spit it out then."

Victor didn't blink. "We're wolf shifters. Our entire pack can transform at will."

Silence. Theodore's gaze flicked between us, searching for any sign this was a joke. Finding none, he methodically cut into his pancakes and took a slow bite.