Casts 97_Crowned by Fate

Skye’s POV

 I pressed my hands against Adrian’s chest, gently pushing him hack, my heart racing as I broke nur agonizing. The cool desert air sharp against my heated skin.

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 The space between us felt both necessary and

 “Adrian, we can’t,” I whispered, my voice trembling. “Tomorrow, the election campaign starts. I can’t afford to be… distracted.”

 He stood motionless, moonlight carving shadows across his strong jaw. His amber eyes held mine, intense and unwavering, searching for something I wasn’t sure I could effet.

 “That’s exactly why I needed to do this tonight,” he said, his voice low but charged with emotion. He took a careful step toward me, not quite closing the

 Tomorrow, we’re swept into politics andpetition. But before that, three’s something you need to know”

 My throat tightened, a mix of fear and anticipation. “What?”

 “I’m in love with you. Skye,” he said, the words simple yet heavy, settling into the quiet night. “I think 1 have been since that day at The Watering Hole, when you stood up to Nadia, terrified but unbreakable.”

 My breath hitched, a par in my chest. “Adrian-

 “Let me finish,” he said softly, his bone gentle but firm. “I’ve thought this through. I want you as my mate, Skye. Not just my Beta, not just my second. I want a band with you that goes beyond pack roles.”

 His deration struck me like a blow, crumbling the walls I’d built to honor Nadia’s memory. For months, I’d buried my feelings, convinced that being his Beta ant denying this pull between us

 “This is….. so sudden,” I stammered, though we both knew it wasn’t. This had been building since that night in the canyon, maybe even before. “At the election, you’ll meet Alphas and packs from across the continent. You might find your true mate.”<fn75bb> Find the newest release on find·novel</fn75bb>

 Adrian shook his head, a sad smile on his lips. “I’ve considered that, Siye. And I’ve decided that even if some stranger at Silvercrest Mountain is my fated mate. I’d reject her.”

 I stared, stunned. Rejecting a mate was taboo, a painful act that could shatter both wolves, I knew that better than anyone, having fled my own past. “You can’t decide that now,” I argued. “You don’t know how powerful the mate bond is-

 “I know what this feel like,” he interrupted, gesturing between us. “Ih my heart, my mind, every part of me, I’ve chosen you. You’re my mate, Skye.”

 Tears pricked my eyes, my voice barely audible. “I can only be your Bere. Like Nadia was. I promised her I’d take care of you.”

 Has expression softened, understanding dawning. “Is that what’s holding you back? Nadia?”

 I couldn’t answer, guilt and confusion choking me. Nadia’sst words echoed Take care of him. Be the Bets he needs. How could I reconcile that with the longing burning inside me? 

 Adrian stepped closer, his warmth cutting through the chill. “Skye, look at me,” he said, his voice tender.

 Reluctantly, I met his guer, his amber eyes steady and karnest. 

 *I’ll mourn Nadia forever,” he said, his voice thick with grief. “I’ll honor her memory, carry her dicams forward. But her death taught me something–life is – too fragile to waste. We have to cherish what’s in front of us, cherish the present,”

 My gate dropped, uncertainty swirling. The fingers gently lifted my chin, guiding my vyes back to his.

 “Nadia wanted me to be happy,” he said, soft now. “She wanted us both to be happy. Do you think she’d want us to deny this?

 I had no arower. Not had loved him silently for years would she want me to follow that path of unspoken longing? Or would she want something mure for us, something alive?

 As I wavered, my eyes betraying my conflict. Adrian leaned in again, ilis kiss was softer, a question, his hands hovering at his sides, giving me the choice to pull away.

 Instead, I leaned into him, my lips meeting his with a hunger that startled me. My hands did up his chest, curling around his shoulders, pulling him closer The kiss deepened, igniting something primal

 Adrian’s arms wrapped around my waist, lifting me effortlessly. Without breaking the kiss, he pushed open my apartment door, carrying me inside. The door clicked shut, sealing us away from the world

 He set me down in the living rooms, stepping back slightly, his eyes locked on mine. “If you want me to leave, tell me now,” he said, his voice rough with desire but his gaze sincere. “I’ll go, and we’ll never speak of this again.”

 In answer, I reached for him, pulling him back. Our lips crashed together, my reservations crumbling. His hands tangled in my silver hair, tilting my head to deepen the kiss, a low growl rumbling in his chest.

 My fingers fumbled with his shirt buttons, urgency making me clumsy. Adrian’s hands joined mine, steady, shrugging the fabric off to reveal his tanned chest, muscles defined under moonlight streaming through the curtains. Scars crisscrossed his skin, stories of battles won. I traced one along his corbone. feeling the rough texture. His breath caught, eyes closing briefly, a thicker of vulnerability that made my heart ache.

 His hands found my shirt’s hem, pausing as he searched my eyes. I nodded, lifting my arms, and he pulled it over my head, exposing my skin to the cool tit Goosebumps rose, but his warm lips chased them away, kissing my shoulder, my corbour, the curve of my neck

 Each touch sent shivers through me, desire warring with guilt. I wanted this, craved it, but Nadia’s memory lingered, a shadow I couldn’t escape.

 Adrian lifted me, carrying me to the bedroom with steady steps that belled the urgency in his touch. He <bid me on the bed, his amber eyes glowing in the dim light, hunger mirroring my own.

 “You’re beautiful,” he murmured, voice raw with awe. “So beautiful it hurts.”

NovelLamp

Casts 97