Chapter 17

Theodore's voice was as cold as the frost on a winter night, carrying a werewolf's inherent authority:  

"This is my home. I come and go as I please. You have no say in the matter."

The eldest master of the Sanchez family, a werewolf with a long - established presence in the pack hierarchy, glared at him, his face contorted in rage. His werewolf features, usually hidden beneath a human facade, briefly twitched with anger.  

"This is my home. I've lived here since I was a child. And you? This is probably the first time you've set foot here in sixteen years!"

Theodore retorted, his werewolf instincts sharpening his tone:  

"You dare speak of rights when you're the intruder? In the werewolf world, bloodlines and legitimacy matter, and you lack the true mark of a legitimate heir."

The eldest master turned red with anger, his werewolf blood boiling beneath his skin. "I'm a full twelve years older than you—my mother knew my father long before yours ever did—"

Theodore cut him off, his voice like a whip crack in the werewolf - infested air:  

"Need a lesson in law? According to the werewolf - human Civil Code, only children born to married couples are legitimate. Since your mother never obtained a marriage license with my father, she bore you as a mistress. Your claim to this pack's throne is weak."

The eldest master’s face flushed crimson with fury, his werewolf eyes glowing with a menacing light.  

"You just wait—I’ll have Father kick you out!"

At that moment, the butler, a trusted werewolf servant of the Sanchez pack, stepped out of the study. He glanced at the fuming eldest master and then at the composed Theodore, a faint smile tugging at his lips. He approached Theodore with a respectful bow, recognizing the true power in the young werewolf's blood.  

"Young Master, the old master requests your presence."

Theodore nodded silently and strode toward the study, his werewolf gait exuding confidence and poise.

The eldest master stood stunned, then stormed off to find his father, his werewolf tail twitching in frustration.

#The Study  

The elder master of the Sanchez family, a powerful werewolf patriarch, sat in a black leather swivel chair, his face devoid of emotion as he stared at Theodore. Theodore met his gaze directly, unflinching, his werewolf eyes locking onto his grandfather's.  

The elder master assumed the boy would crumble, pouring out grievances the moment he was in his presence. But seeing Theodore's inscrutable gaze and the maturity in his young face, he realized that this child was beyond his control. In the werewolf world, a strong will was a sign of a powerful alpha.

"I’m truly glad you’ve come back," the elder said meaningfully.  

Theodore replied evenly, his werewolf voice resonating with authority:  

"Fortune favors me, Grandfather. I survived disasters, found benefactors, and will surely live a long and prosperous life. My werewolf blood will guide me."

The elder master sighed. "I’ve heard about what happened to you in Milan. I’ll find whoever was behind the attack and ensure justice is served. In our werewolf pack, we protect our own."

"That won’t be necessary, Grandfather," Theodore said coldly. "I’ll handle my own affairs. My werewolf instincts and strength are more than enough to deal with my enemies."

The elder looked taken aback. Theodore’s composure and restraint were far beyond his years.  

"About your mother’s death... I feel deeply sorry. Your grandfather and I were stubborn, forcing her into a loveless marriage with your father. He’s always loved Hannah, and despite her efforts, your mother never won his heart. I hope you can understand her tragic decision and your father’s situation."

Theodore clenched his fists inside his sleeves, his werewolf claws itching to come out, but maintained a calm expression.  

"It’s all in the past now."

The elder smiled, relieved.  

"Theodore, the living must look ahead. You’re the legitimate heir of the Sanchez family and the grandson of the Brown family. No one in the capital can rival your werewolf pedigree. The greater your abilities, the larger your stage. Stay at the Sanchez family for now, learn from our private tutors, and familiarize yourself with the company’s operations. I hope you’ll soon be ready to take over my business. As the future alpha of our pack, you must be prepared."

Theodore replied, "I will follow your instructions, Grandfather."  

The elder turned to the butler.  

"Have you prepared a room for Young Master Theodore?"

"Yes, sir. I’ve arranged a room for him on the third floor, alongside the other young masters and misses."

The elder shook his head.  

"Theodore’s status far surpasses the others. Assign him a room next to mine. And increase his monthly allowance to eight figures—I’ll personally oversee his education. He is the future of our werewolf pack."

"Understood, sir."  

#the Hill family  

Madam Hill, a werewolf matriarch, sipped tea in the garden pavilion, a look of smug satisfaction on her face—the kind only a wealthy lady of leisure could display. Her werewolf senses were on high alert, even in this seemingly peaceful setting.

"Madam, Rocco has returned," a servant informed her.

"Bring him here," Madam Hill said, delighted. Rocco, a loyal werewolf under her command, had always handled matters flawlessly, and she trusted this time would be no different.

But as Rocco approached, he struck his own face twice in remorse.  

"Madam, I failed you. I couldn’t bring back that mysterious protector. Please punish me."

"What happened?" Madam Hill was astonished. The task had seemed so simple to her.

"Madam, I suspect this protector’s identity is far from ordinary. We managed to bring him to the capital, but he was intercepted at the airport. Someone with werewolf - like strength and influence intervened."

He leaned close and whispered into Madam Hill’s ear. Her expression turned panicked.  

"Someone with the influence to mobilize airport authorities must have incredible power," she murmured, realizing she might have provoked the wrong person.  

"This must not reach the master’s ears. He’d accuse me of making matters worse for Nathan. I refuse to be the burden that costs him his inheritance. Our werewolf pack's future depends on Nathan's success."  

"Rest assured, Madam. I won’t breathe a word," Rocco promised.

"Investigate that protector’s identity discreetly," she ordered. "If he has any connection to that lowly girl Isabella, we could be in serious trouble. We can't afford any threats to our werewolf pack's standing."  

"Understood. I’ll look into it immediately."  

#The Annual Tycoon Alliance Gala  

At the highly anticipated year - end celebration of the Tycoon Alliance, a gathering of powerful werewolf - human families, the heirs of these families competed fiercely to project the perfect image. However, Nathan, a werewolf with his own ambitions, found himself sidelined by his father.

"Nathan, since your wife hasn’t returned, you won’t be participating in the closing ceremony. We can’t risk anyone probing into Isabella’s absence and creating a scandal you can’t explain. In the werewolf - human world, reputation is everything," his father said.

Madam Hill, furious, snapped,  

"Then who’s replacing Nathan? One of those bastards?"

Her husband shot her a glare.  

"Your son created this mess. My other son is covering for him—you should be grateful, not critical. Our werewolf pack's stability is at stake."

Madam Hill fumed but had no retort.  

At the gala, Nathan’s half - brother Caleb, also a werewolf with his own aspirations, made a grand entrance, replacing him in the closing ceremony. The other tycoons, both werewolf and human, quickly caught on, flattering Nathan’s father.  

"Mr.Hill, you’re truly blessed. We’ve all witnessed Nathan’s talents, but who knew you had another outstanding son? When will he take his place in the Hill family enterprise? Your werewolf pack seems to have many capable heirs."

Nathan’s father beamed.  

"This debut is just the beginning. He’s set to become our Executive Director of Artificial Intelligence. I’ll rely on you all to support him. Our werewolf pack's future in the business world depends on our next generation."

The whispers and veiled implications sent a clear signal: the Hill family’s succession dynamics were shifting. In the werewolf - human world, power struggles and succession battles were a constant reality.