Casts 41_Crowned by Fate

Chapter 41 

 Adrian’s POV

 I studied Skye’s face carefully as I–delivered the news about Leon. Her initial sh of surprise quickly gave way to a practiced calm.

 “Oh, I see,” she said, her voice impressively steady. “That’s not surprising. Bing Alpha King has always been his dream. She paused briefly before adding, “I assume he’s found a strong Luna by now.”

 The casual way she referenced her former mate’s potential new partner struck me as deliberate. I recognized the tactic; I’d employed it myself many times.

 I just thought you should know,” I exined, “given your previous connection to Frostshadow Pack.”

 Skye straightened her shoulders almost imperceptibly. “Since I’ve joined Oasisborn, Frostshadow has nothing to do with me anymore. Her gaze met mine directly, unwavering. “As for Alpha Leon, he and I ceased having any connection to each other long ago.”

 The quiet confidence in her voice impressed me. In the weeks since she’d joined our pack, I’d witnessed her transformation from a cautious lone wolf to someone who carried herself with increasing purpose and belonging.

 The silver–haired woman before me now bore little resemnce to the frightened bartender we’d found in that desert town.

 I moved closer, unable to stop myself from posing the question that had been weighing on my mind. “What if I were to enter the Alpha King election as well? If I had topete against Alpha Leon, then…”

 I let the question hang iplete between us. 

 Skye answered without hesitation. “You’re my Alpha now. I would stand with you.”

 Her words warmed me. She had proven my trust in her was not misced.

 Nadia had warned me about Skye’s letters to her family. “Check what she’s writing,‘ she had urged. “Make sure she’s not nning to betray us or feeding information to Frostshadow.”

 But I had refused. Trust wasn’t something to be parceled out conditionally–it had to be given freely if it was to mean anything at all. And now, Skye had proven my instincts correct.

 “Thank you,” I said, moving closer still. “Your loyalty means a great deal to me.”

 The council chamber suddenly felt smaller, more intimate. The desert moonlight filtered through the windows, catching in Skye’s silver hair. Without thinking, I reached out, letting my fingers brush lightly against those metallic strands.

 Skye’s breath caught audibly, her eyes widening slightly at the contact. The scent of her–subtle yet distinctive, like fresh snow–intensified with her quickened pulse. Something primal stirred within me, urging me to close the remaining distance between us, to im those softly parted lips with my own.

 I leaned forward, unable to resist. For weeks I had kept my distance. Now, with her silver hair between my fingers and her eyes on mine, those boundaries didn’t matter anymore. 

 The shrill ring of a phone shattered the moment.

 Skye jumped back as if burned, fumbling in her pocket for her phone. As she turned away to answer it, I caught myself, suddenly aware of how close I’de to crossing a line I’d promised myself I wouldn’t approach.

 “Hello?” Skye’s voice was slightly breathless. “Oh, Ryder… Yes, I’m just finishing up… The council meeting? It’s over… Yes, I can meet you there… Okay, see 

 you soon.

 She ended the call, turning back to me with a flush coloring her cheeks. “I’m sorry, Alpha Adrian. That was Ryder. He… he’s waiting for me. May I be

 excused?”

 The formality in her tone—the careful use of my title–served as a pointed reminder of our positions. Whatever moment we’d just shared had evaporated, reced by the proper distance between an Alpha and his pack member.

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 “Of course, I nodded, stepping back to physically reinforce the boundary she’d just verbally established. Thank you for staying behind.

 With a quick nod, Skye hurried from the council chamber, the door closing behind her with a soft click that somehow felt deafening in the sudden emptiness 

 of the room. 

 I exhaled slowly, running a hand through my hair as I collected myself.

 What were you thinking? My wolf growled in the recesses of my mind. She’s not your mate. If you need sex, go find a whore to satisfy your urges. But you shouldn’t develop feelings for someone who doesn’t belong to you.

 “I know,” I muttered aloud to the empty room. “I know.”

 Moving to the desk, I drafted a brief email to the North American Werewolf Council, formally declining their invitation to participate in the uing Alpha King election. My pack needed me here, focused on their needs rather than political ambitions. That much, at least, remained clear.

 After sending the message, I checked my watch. The evening was still young. I didn’t want to return home to an empty house. My thoughts would only torment me there. I decided to visit The Oasis, our pack’s sole tavern. Perhaps the noise would drown out my conscience.

 The drive was short, the night air cool through the open windows of my SUV. The tavern lights shone through the desert night. I pushed open the door and walked in. The familiar faces andfortable atmosphere usually brought me peace. My eyes swept across the room.

 What I saw stopped me cold.

 In a corner booth, clearly visible despite the tavern’s dim lighting, sat Ryder and Skye. They were huddled close together, their postures intimate, their faces flushed with apparent intoxication. Ryder’s arm was draped casually around Skye’s shoulders, and she leaned into him, </bughing at something he’d just said.

 Jealousy hit me hard. I had no right to feel this way, but I couldn’t stop it.

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Casts 41