Casts 96_Crowned by Fate

Skye’s POV

 Six Monthster

 In less than seventy–two hours, the Alpha King election would officially begin.

 The morning sun filtered through my office window as I reviewed our final preparations.

 “Everything’s packed and ready,” Ryder announced, entering with a stack of documents. The flight a confirmed for tomorrow morning”

 I nced up, taking in the changes six months had wrought on the young wanion. He’d grown taller, his shoulders broader, but the most striking change was

 his eyes–the carefree spark had dimmed, reced by a watchful awareness that spoke of lessons learned through loss.

 “Thank you, Ryder,” I replied, epting the papers. “Did you pack the extra wolfsbane bullets Lydia prepared?”

 He nodded. “16dden in the diplomatic pouches, an instructed. Though I still think we should we bought Marcus instead of Lydia. Hisbat skills would-

 “Weve been over this, I interrupted gently. ‘Marcus needs to stay behind to protect everyone the pack. Besides, every election has had Alphas who were poisoned or assassinated. Lydia will definitely be able to help us.” 

 Ryder’s jaw lightened, but he didn’t argue further. Since Nadia’s death, he’d channeled his grief into rigorous training, bing one of our most formidable wartion. Sometimes I missed his easy </bughter, the guitar that used to be his constantpanion now gathering dust in his quarters.

 “Besides.” I added, softening my tone, Marcus and Venus need to oversee the pack while we’re gune. And they have a wedding to n.

 A ghost of his old smile shed across his face. Adrian promised them quite a celebration when we return.”

 “They deserve it,” I agreed, thinking of how the one armed financial administrator and blind security chief had found love and our pack of outcasts. Their rtionship had blossomed quietly, a tender counterpoint to the grief and vengeance that had consumed us after Nadia’s death.

 The soft knock at my door announced Adrian’s arrival. Since that incident, the tenderness in Adrian’s face had gradually been reced by severity.

 The council meeting’s about to start,” he said. “Final briefing before we leave.”

 Adrian moved to the head of the table, his presence immediatelymanding attention. “Tomorrow morning, we depart for Silvercrest Mountain,” he began, naming the neatral territory where the Alpha King election would take ce. “Skye, Lydia, Ryder and I will represent Oasisborn.“

 He turned to Venus and Marcus. “While we’re gone, you two will oversee pack operations. I’ve prepared detailed protocols for every foreseeable contingency.” A slight smile softened his serious expression. “And when we return victorious, we’ll finally celebrate your union properly.”

 Venus’s face brightened. “Just bring back that crown, Alpha. That’s all the wedding gift we need.” 

 Adriam nodded, then continued with the briefing.

 The Western Coalition–eight packs that had suffered under Kane’s shadow–had pledged their support to Adrian’s candidacy. Their territories weren’t thergest or wealthiest, but their unified voice carried weight in an election system that had traditionally favored eastern packs. 

 *Every year during the election, there are Alphar who get assassinated, some even die during thepetition,” Gamett exined to the group. 

 Tvepiled information on all the most dangerous andpetitive opponents.” Garrett slid the folder across the table. Two nimes stand out in particr–Alpha Leon from Frostshadow Pack and Alpha Maxwell, Adnan’s uncle from Stormbowl

 My heart statered at the mention of Leans ryme. Though Adrian had kept me informed of his campaign activities, the thought of potentially facing my former mate at the election still 

 As the meeting concluded, such council member approached Adrian with personal words of encouragement. Their faith in him was absolute–in six months, not a single pack member had questioued his decision to run for Alpha King, even knowing the risks and sacrifices it entailed,

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 Chapter 96 

 long since set when I finally

 spent the remainder of the day finalizing arrangements, ensuring every detail was perfect for our departure. The sun had lo locked my office and stepped into the cool desert night,

 Instead of heading home, my feet carried me toward the small clearing that served as our memorial ground. The path was familiar now, worn smooth by my frequent visits on the past months.

 Nadia’s grave stood at the center, moonlight illuminating the simple stone marker. I knelt beside it, brushing away desert sai

 hat had umted on its

 “We’re leaving tomorrow,” I told her, as if she could hear me. For the Alpha King election. I wish you could be there. You’d know exactly what to say, who to approach.” I paused, swallowing past the lump in my throat. Tim trying my best to be the Bets he needs, hust like you asked. But it’s harder than I thought.”

 The sound of approaching footsteps made me nce up. Adrian stood at the ridge of the clearing, his tall figure silhouetted against the star–filled sky. Moonlight silvered his dark hair, lending him an otherworldly quality.

 “I didn’t mean to in

 mean to interrupt,” he said quietly, moving to

 g to stand beside me.

 “You’re not interrupting,” I assured him, rising to my leet. “I was just… talking to her.”

 His eyes held understanding as they moved to Nadia’s gravestone. “November 6th would have been her twenty–fourth birthday,” he said softly.

 I blinked in surprise. “Next week? But we’ll be at Silvercrest Mountain for the election then.”

 “Yes.” Adrian krvelt, cing a small blue flower on the grave–Nadia’s favorite, though the would never have admitted to such a feminine preference. “Which is why I promised her Id bring back the Alpha King’s crown as a git.”

 “We will. I know we will”

 Time slipped away as we remained by the grave, sharing memories of Nadia. The moon had climbed high in the sky when I finally checked my watch.

 “It’s gettingte,” I said reluctantly. “We should get some rest. Early fight tomorrow.”

 Adrian nodded. “I’ll walk you home.”

 We moved through the sleepingpound in confortable silence, our footsteps in perfect synchronization. The past six months working closely together had created an effortless rhythm between us, a wordless understanding that sometimes made me wonder if this was what pack membera felt with their

 Sach thoughts were dangerous, I reminded myself. Since Nadia’s death, I’d been careful to maintain professional distance from Adrian, refusing to dishonor her memory by pursuing the feelings I’d once allowed myself to indulge.

 She had loved him silently for years–who was I to im what she had sacrificed for?

 When we reached my small apartment on the eastern edge of thepound, I turned to bid him goodnight, already reaching for my door.

 “Skye, Adrian’s voice stopped me.

 Before I could react, his hand caught mine, gently but firmly pulling me toward

 Then his lips were on mine–warm, insistent, tasting of desert sage and something uniquely Adrian. The kiss caught me </bpletely off guard, sending electric shocks through my system that paralyzed expiry rational thought

 No, I can’t, a voice inside me protested.

 But in that moment, with Adrian’s arms encircling me and his heartbeat thundering against me, those questions seemed to belong to another world

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Casts 96