Casts 32_Crowned by Fate

Chapter 32 

 Skye’s POV

 Back in my room, my heart still raced. I wasn’t sure if I had misinterpreted Adrian’s gaze, but the way he had looked at me moments ago was unmistakably

 different.

 For the first time, I had glimpsed something predatory in his eyes. A look of possession.

 Or was it simply my imagination? Was he merely surprised by my silver hair?

 Too much had happened tonight. I inhaled the scent of Adrian on the borrowed shirt, finding sleep impossible despite my exhaustion. The ocean–pine fragrance that clung to the soft fabric enveloped me, simultaneouslyforting and unsettling.

 My fingers absently traced the hem of the oversized shirt.<fnb616> This update is avable on f?i?n?d?n?o?v?e?l?</fnb616>

 Unconsciously, my hand slipped between my thighs. The wet heat there met my touch, sparking a fleeting rush of satisfaction.

 My fingers moved, circling the slick warmth, each stroke igniting shivers.I pressed harder, breath catching as pleasure coiled tight, then ebbed. Withdrawing my hand, Iy trembling, the shirt’s scent a haunting reminder of my forbidden yearning.

 My feelings toward Adrian were a tangled mess I couldn’t begin to unravel.

 Gratitude, certainly–he had saved my life, given me his blood, triggered my long–dormant shift. But beneath that gratitude lurked something moreplicated, something that made my heart race whenever our eyes met.

 I pressed my face into the pillow, breathing in Adrian’s scent more deeply.

 A low growl suddenly pierced the quiet night, instantly triggering my survival instincts. Years of living alone had honed my alertness to potential threats. I leapt from the bed, my heart hammering as I rushed to the door.

 *Adrian?” I called out, opening my door a crack. When no response came, I called again, louder this time, fear tightening my throat.

 Was Adrian in danger? Had Kane already sent wolves to attack us? 

 The bathroom door swung open, and Adrian emerged, a towel wrapped low around his waist. Water droplets still clung to his chest, tracing glistening paths down the defined muscles of his abdomen and disappearing beneath the towel. 

 I swallowed hard, suddenly very aware of my own state of undress in nothing but his t–shirt.

 I quickly averted my gaze, heat rushing to my cheeks. “I–I heard a sound,” I stammered. “I thought something might be wrong.”

 “Just slipped in the shower,” Adrian exined, his voice slightly rougher than usual. With the light behind him, I couldn’t make out his expression clearly.

 Oh. Right. Sorry,” I mumbled, awkwardly retreating back into my room. “Goodnight, then.” 

 I closed the door perhaps a bit more firmly than necessary, leaning against it as I tried to calm my racing heart.

 Adrian’s bedroom was directly across from mine, and in the stillness of the night, I could hear his movements–the soft rustle of fabric as he presumably dropped the towel and dressed for bed, the quiet click of themp being turned off, the slight creak of the mattress as hey down.

 Somehow, I felt as though our eyes were meeting through the walls that separated us, an impossible connection that nevertheless felt utterly real.

 I crawled back into bed, pulling the covers up to my chin like armor.

 This was going to be a long night.

 The harder I tried to banish Adrian from my thoughts, the more insistently he invaded my dreams.

 Chapter 32

 The nkets felt too heavy, too warm, and I sank into a restless half–sleep filled with confusing images and sensations, I was drowning in warm, wet unable to pull myself free…

 Until a shrill ringing jolted me awake.

 Skye, are you up yet? Morning training is about to start, and I’m waiting at the hotel entrance for you! Nadia’s voice cut through my grogginess, sharp and

 expectant.

 I scrambled to sit up, disoriented. ‘Don’t wait for me! I’ll eat breakfast and meet you at the training grounds from yesterday.”

 “You’re still in bed, aren’t you?” Nadia’s tone was usatory but tinged with amusement. “Our training sessions are mostly in the mornings and evenings when it’s not so hot. You can’t be sleeping in like this once you’re officially part of the pack.”

 ‘I’m sorry,” I apologized hastily. “It won’t happen again, I promise. Please go ahead with the others–I’ll be there as soon as I can.” 

 After a moment’s hesitation, she agreed. When I hung up, I exhaled with relief.

 For some reason, I couldn’t bear the thought of Nadia discovering I’d spent the night at Adrian’s home. It felt like a betrayal, even though she wasn’t his

 mate.

 After dressing quickly in yesterday’s clothes, I ventured out to find the house empty of Adrian’s presence.

 Lucy, his housekeeper, had prepared a simple breakfast of toast, eggs, and fresh fruit. As I sat down to eat, she enveloped me in an unexpected but warm hug.

 “Wee to Oasisborn, dear!” Her weathered face crinkled with a knowing smile. “So, you and Alpha Adrian… is there something going on between you two now? It’s been years since I’ve seen him this close with a woman.”

 My face med with embarrassment. “No! It’s nothing like that. I’m not his mate.” 

 Lucy waved her hand dismissively. “Mates, schmetes. Some wolves don’t wait around forever, you know. If they don’t find their destined mate, they choose someonepatible at the right time.” She winked conspiratorially. “And you two would make beautiful pups–silver hair and those amber eyes of his! 

 2 Imagine!”

 Iughed awkwardly, grabbing a piece of toast and backing toward the door. “Thank you for breakfast, but I’ve got to run. Training session.” 

 I practically fled the house, my cheeks still burning as I made my way to the training grounds.

 By the time I arrived, the session was well underway. About twenty werewolves were paired off, engaged in variousbat exercises. Some practiced in human form, while others had shifted, their wolf forms circling each other with calcted movements.

 Nadia spotted me immediately, breaking away from her demonstration to approach me. As I drew closer, she did a double–take, her eyes widening as she noticed my hair.

 “Your hair–it’s silver!” she eximed. “I’ve never seen a wolf with hair this color before.” 

 ‘It’s my natural color,” I replied simply.

 She nodded with appreciation, then crossed her arms. “Well, it’s striking, but that doesn’t excuse you. We’ve been at it for half an hour already. Don’t be <bte again.”

 “I won’t, I promise, I assured her, eager to begin. “Can I try?” 

 A smile broke through her stern expression. “That’s what I like to hear. Let’s see what you’ve got.”

 Her unexpectedpliment warmed me, especiallying from someone who had initially been so suspicious of me. But the moment of camaraderie was short–lived as she quickly returned to business.

 ‘Anyway, let’s see what you can do,” she said, gesturing toward an open space.

 Nadia demonstrated a basic takedown technique, and within moments, I found myself t on my back, the wind knocked out of me as she pinned me 

 effortlessly to the ground.

 But as she held me down, her expression suddenly changed, her nostrils ring slightly as she caught a scent.

 Her eyes narrowed, and her voice dropped to a whisper. “You stayed at Adrian’s housest night, didn’t you?”

 Chapter Comments 

 Jamie DeWitt

 I must have missed it.. but what color are her eyes?

NovelLamp

Casts 32