<b>Sky’s </b>POV
“Don’t go.” Adrian schispered, kik voiler mugh with emotion. “Not yet.
My pulse quickened as he moved closer. Itis eyes locked on mine with an intensity that made my breath catch. I couldn’t help but chose my tyre, Walter what seemed inevitable.
that the kiss never came.
Instead, I felt his fingers gently pinch my earlobe. My eyes flew open in surprise. <b>Adrian </b>face was inches from mine.
Thon’t move,” he mamured.
I remained perfectly still Confusion reced anticipation as 1 felt him slip something cool onto my earlobe. When he finished with one ear, he moved to the other with the same careful attention.<fn036e> Th?s chapter is updated by find?novel</fn036e>
“There,” he said with satisfaction as he stepped back slightly. “Perfect.”
“What did you just do? I asked, reaching up to touch my eat.
Adrian’s lips curved into a smile. “You closed your eyes. Were you expecting me to kiss you?”
Heat rushed to my face. “Who would want you <b>to </b><b>s </b>them? I retorted. Embarrassment made my voice sharper than intended.
His smile widened into something more <b>mischievous</b>. He leaned forward and pressed his lips lightly against the shell of my ear. Shivers raced down my spine. Before I <b>could </b>react, he took my shoulders and guided me toward the bathroom
“Come see,” he said. He positioned me in front of the mirror while standing behind me. <b>His </b>arms encircled my waist.
In the mirror’s reflection, I saw what he had done. Delicate emerald earrings hung from my ears. The deep green stones caught the light with every movement of my head. <b>They </b>were exquisite. Their teardrop shape was surrounded by tiny diamonds that made them sparkle like <b>stars</b>.
They match your eyes perfectly,” Adrian said. His chin rested on my <b>shoulder </b><b>as </b>we gazed at our reflection. “Do you like them?”
I nodded. I felt transfixed by the way the green stones seemed to intensify the color of my eyes. “They’re beautiful,” I whispered, touching one <b>earring </b>gently, I love them.”
“I meant to give them to you this morning,” Adrian exined. His breath felt warm against my neck. But <b>Ryder’s </b>unexpected arrival disrupted my ns.” His expression grew thoughtful as his eyes met mine in the mirror. “I <b>noticed </b>you haven’t worn earrings for months <b>now</b>.”
The reminder sent a cold <b>wave </b>through me. <b>Six </b>months ago, Nadia <b>had </b><b>consumed </b>the wolf poison <b>hidden </b>in my earring. That poison was meant for me. She <b>had </b>sacrificed herself to give me a chance to escape. The memory of her convulsing body and blood spilling from her lips remained vivid and <b>painful </b>
Adrian seemed to sense the shift in my mood. <b>His </b>arms tightened around me, offeringfort without words. “Don’t <b>punish </b>yourself for others actions,” he said quietly. Understanding showed in his eyes. “Nadia made her choice. She wouldn’t want you to stop living because of it. He turned me to face him directly. I want you to shine at tomorrow’s opening ceremony. The western <b>packs </b>need to see the strength that stands behind me.”
I nodded, swallowing past the lump in my throat, “You re right,” I agreed, touching the earrings again. Thank you.”
“You should get some rest, Adn said. His hands didn’t
‘t leave <b>my </b>waist.
my waist. A mischievous grin crossed his <b>face</b>. “Unless you’d prefer to stay <b>here </b>tonight?”
I rolled my eyes <b>and </b>pushed away from him. “When did you be so inappropriate? This is like <b>you </b><b>at </b>all.”
“Im only inappropriate with you,” he replied, fis voice <b>dropped </b>to <b>a </b>seductive pur: “Consider it a privilege.”
I slipped from his embrace and headed toward the door before temptation could win out. “Goodnight, Adrian,” I said firmly. I couldn’t quite suppress my smile. “We both need actual sleep tonight if we’re going to make a good impression tomorrow.”
<b>1/3 </b>
As <b>I </b>closed <b>his </b>door <b>behind </b>the
Vr <b>tugged </b>at m? tipis despite myself.
This softughter. It sounded when and affectionate My Pres
The next morning dawned bright wind cless. The weather was perfect for the Alpha King election a opening ceremony. Our small group Jobby<b>. </b>We all wore our formal pack at
Adrian and Ryder wote identical deep midnight blue suits with silver ents. These were dasidary’s official roles. The tatlored cut emphustand Ams bread shoulders. It also gave Ryder a more mature appearance than his years,
Lydia and 1 were matching silver dresses with midnight blue trim. The elegant designs projected both strength and unity. Our coordinated outfits market ? clearly as a cohesive pack despite our small numbers..
We were about to depart when Xavier appeared. He looked impable in a white suit that seemed to have been poured onto his athlete frame. Ifia red buzzcut was styled to fashionable perfection. His smile was dazzling at he approached ut.
“Perfect timing!” be exchimed. “We can share transportation.
Adrian shook his head firmly. “Thanks for the offer, but we’ll make our own way there. If we go with you, we’ll undoubtedly get caught in traffic with all your admirers blocking the road. We need to arrive on time.”
Xavier’sugh was good–natured despite the rejection. “Your loss. Thedies always appreciate a grand entrance.”
“We prefer punctuality <b>over </b>spectacle,” Adrian replied with a friendly but dismissive smile. “See you at the ceremony.”
The journey to Silvercrest Mountain’s grand ceremonial hall was brief but tense. We all understood the significance of today’s events. The opening ceremony would establish hierarchies and alliances. These could determine the entire election’s oue,
We approached the imposing stone entrance. It was decorated with ancient werewolf symbols and modern banner representing the North American ??????
ment when Dasisborn would officially step onto the continental stage. Adrian would be measured against the
I felt a flutter of nervousness. This was the moment most powerful Alphas in <b>existence</b>.
We had barely reached the entrance when Adrian suddenly stiffened beside me
I followed his gaze to see <b>a </b>group of werewolves entering from another direction. They <b>carried </b><b>a </b>distinctive ocean scent simr to Adrian’s but somehow colder and more metallic.
From Adrian’s reaction, 1 immediately knew this must be Stormbowl <b>Pack</b>.
At their center stood an imposing man with <b>hard </b>features and calcting eyes.
He shared little physical resemnce with Adrian. The way he carried himself with absolute authority marked him clearly as an Alpha. This had to be Maxwell Crawford. He was Adrian’s uncle and the <b>man </b>who had stolen his birthright
Maxwell was tall and broad–shouldered. His <b>dark </b>hair was streaked with silver at the temples. <b>Beside </b>him stood a slender woman with elegant features who could only be Adrian’s mother. Her eyes matched her son’s amber color. They dated nervously between her brother–inw and her son,
it was impossible to avoid the encounter. Our paths converged at the entrance. Both groups were forced to acknowledge each other.
“Adrian,” Maxwell said. His voice dripped with false cordiality. “I’d heard <b>rumors </b>you’d entered the election, but I didn’t quite believe it. Such ambition for someone with so little experience.”