Casts 48_Crowned by Fate

Chapter 48 

 Skye’s POV

 “It’s simply a formalization of what you’ve already agreed to, Nadia replied defensively. If you truly have no interest in Adrian, signing this should be no problem.”

 I shook my head, crumpling the paper slightly as my grip tightened.

 “No. Absolutely not. I refuse to sign this ridiculous agreement!

 Nadia’s eyes widened with genuine surprise. She clearly hadn’t expected outright refusal.

 “So you do have feelings for him,” she used, her voice hardening.

 “This has nothing to do with my feelings orck thereof for Adrian,” I countered. “This is about respect and autonomy. I won’t be controlled like this, Nadia. Not by you, not by anyone. I handed the crumpled paper back to her. “If you don’t trust my word, that’s your problem, not mine.

 Nadia stared at the rejected agreement in her hand, her expression unreadable. For a moment, I thought she might argue further, but instead, she carefully refolded the paper and tucked it away.

 “You’ve changed,” she said quietly.

 “Yes, I agreed, surprised by my own confidence. “I have.” 

 When she finally spoke again, her voice carried a brittle edge.

 “You don’t understand what’s at stake here,” she said. “You’ve been in our pack for what–three weeks? I’ve stood beside Adrian for years. I’ve watched him build this pack from nothing, sacrifice everything for it.” Her dark eyes shed with something raw and painful. “And now you just waltz in, and suddenly… 

 Her words trailed off, but her meaning was painfully clear.

 “Nadia,” I said gently, “if you truly love Adrian, why don’t you tell him? You should be talking to him about your feelings, not trying to control my interactions with him.”

 She recoiled as if I’d struck her, color flooding her cheeks. “How dare you-*

 “It’s obvious,” I continued calmly. “You’ve loved him for years, haven’t you?”

 For a moment, I thought she might deny it or storm out. Instead, she sank onto the edge of my sofa, her shoulders slumping in defeat.

 “Does it matter?” she asked bitterly. “He doesn’t see me that way. He never has.”

 I moved to sit beside her, careful to maintain enough distance that she wouldn’t feel crowded. ‘Have you ever told him how you feel?”

 Sheughed, a hollow sound devoid of humor. “And risk everything we’ve built? The pack needs me as his Beta, not as some rejected, lovesick fool. She shook her head. “Maybe that’s the difference between you and me. I’m not selfish enough to risk the stability of our pack for my own desires.”

 The usation hit me like a physical blow. “Selfish?”

 “Yes, selfish,” she repeated, rising to her feet with renewed fire. “You think I haven’t noticed how you look at him? How he looks at you? But what happens when he finds his actual mate? Where does that leave you–or more importantly, where does that leave our pack when you fall apart?” She moved toward th door, pausing with her hand on the knob. ‘At least I know my ce.” 

 With that final barb, she was gone, the door mming behind her with enough force to rattle the pictures on my wall.

 I stood frozen in ce, her words reverberating in my mind. Selfish. It wasn’t the first time I’d heard that usation. Leon had said the same thing just 

 before I left Frostshadow Pack.

 Had anything really changed? Here I was, three years <bter, in a different pack with different wolves, yet somehow still facing the same criticism.

 Chapter 48 

 The rest of my Saturday passed in a haze of self doubt, Nadia’s wounded expression and bitter words reying in my mind no matter how I trie myself. I cleaned my small apartment thoroughly, reorganized my meager possessions, and even attempted to read, but nothing could silence t question: Was I truly selfish?

 Evening brought no relief from my troubled thoughts. When my phone rang, I almost didn’t answer, fearing it might be Nadia with more recrimination Instead, Adrian’s name shed across the screen, sending an unexpected flutter through my chest.

 “Hello? 1 answered, trying to sound normal despite the day’s emotional turmoil.

 “Skye, his deep voice came through the line, warm and assured. ‘I’ve been thinking about something you mentionedst night–about wanting to see the canyon under the stars.”

 My pulse quickened. “Oh?”

 “Next month, after youplete yourbat training assessment, I’d like to take you there. As a reward, if you pass.” There was a hint of challenge in his tone, as if daring me to refuse.

 For a moment, I was tempted to ept without hesitation. The prospect of exploring the desert night with Adrian was undeniably appealing. But Nadia’s usations echoed in my mind, dampening my enthusiasm.

 “That sounds wonderful,” I said carefully, “but didn’t Ryder mention wanting to go too? We should bring him along.”

 There was a long silence on the other end of the line–so prolonged that I wondered if the connection had been lost.

 “Adrian? Hello? Are you still there?”

 The only response was a soft click, followed by the dial tone.

 I stared at my phone in disbelief. Had he just… hung up on me? Over the suggestion of including Ryder? The reaction seemed disproportionate, almost childishing from someone as </bposed as Adrian typically was.

 Later that night, as Iy in bed staring at the ceiling, my wolf stirred restlessly in my mind, her presence more distinct than usual.<fnb9dd> Follow current nov?ls on Find_Novel(.</fnb9dd>

 Why did you push him away? she seemed to ask, her frustration bleeding into my consciousness. You don’t actually have feelings for the young one. 

 Ryder’s like an annoying little brother,” I murmured aloud to the empty room. “Of course I don’t have feelings for him.”

 Then why sabotage a night alone with Adrian?

 I had no good answer. Was I trying to respect Nadia’s feelings? Or was I simply afraid of acknowledging my own growing attraction to Adrian–an attraction that couldn’t lead anywhere productive, given that neither of us was the other’s mate? 

 My wolf said, “No matter who your Second Chance mate might be, they won’t be better than Adrian, she insisted with surprising vehemence. Perhaps if you let him mark you, there would be no need for a Second Chance mate at all.”

 “Stop,” I whispered, pressing my palms against my eyes. That’s not how it works. We’re not meant to be together that way.”

 My wolf subsided with a disgruntled rumble.

 I shook my head, forcing my thoughts in a more productive direction. What mattered now was passing next month’sbat assessment. After Nadia’s confrontation today, I had no doubt she would scrutinize my performance with merciless attention to detail.

 I needed to be prepared–more than prepared. I needed to be perfect.

 Rolling onto my side, I made a silent promise to myself: tomorrow’s training would begin at dawn, with or without Nadia’s supervision.

 wouldn’t give her any reason to call me selfish again.

 I would earn my ce in this pack through dedication and hard work, proving once and for all that I belonged here that I deserved to be foe

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Casts 48