Chapter <b>106 </b>
I nced at Adrian, silently asking permission. His eyes met mine, something protective flickering in their depth before he g
T’d love to catch up, I told Ethan, It’s been too long. ”
Than’s face brightened, Treat! How shout we meet at there this afternoon? Theres a small bar in our hotel. Perfect for talking.”
“Tell me the address,” I replied. “T1l be there.”
try, Alpha Adrian,” Ethan added, his tone respectful but warm. III make note my sister gets back to your hotel safely afterward.”
Adrian’s hand found the small of my back, his touch a possessive anchor. “That won
Ethan blinked, <b>shock </b>registering on his
“Beta<b>?</b>” he repeated, turning to me with wide eyes. “You’re his Beta?”
necessary, Skye it my Beta now. Fl be looking after her myself.”
Even Leon, who had been deliberately avoiding looking at me, turned his head sharply at <b>Adrian’s </b>words. His ice–blue eyes fired to mine for just a moment, his expression umreadable before he looked away again.
Before I could respond, a familiar voice cut through the awkward silence.
“Well, well, well… if it isn’t little Skye Anderson,”<fnbe74> Th? link to the orig?n of this information r?sts ?n find?novel</fnbe74>
<b>I </b>turned <b>to </b>see Maya striding toward us, her golden ponytail swinging with each confident <b>step</b>. She looked exactly <b>as </b>I remembered–perfectly put together<b>, </b>radiating the same self–assured arogance she’d worn like armor<b>, </b>since childhood.
I hadn’t noticed her yesterday among Leon’s entourage, but of course she would be here.
She’d been his devoted shadow since we <b>were </b>teenagers<b>, </b>always positioning herself between Leon and any other female who dared approach.
“I had to see it with my own eyes,” Maya continued, her lips curled in a smirk. <b>“</b><b>Skye </b>Anderson–the girl who couldn’t shift, who shot her own mate, who ran away in the middle of the night like <b>a </b>coward–now ying Beta to some devert Alpha? Hine desperate must your pack be, Alpha Adrian, to settle for someone who couldn’t even meet Frostshadow’s <b>basic </b>standards?”
I felt heat rise to my cheeks, <b>my </b>hands curling into fists at my sides. Four years had passed, yet her words still had the power to cut deep.
“<b>Maya</b><b>“</b><b>” </b>Leon cut her off, “That’s enough, we’re leaving
Maya’s mouth opened and closed <b>like </b><b>a </b><b>fish </b>out of water. “But-”
“Now
The single word carried such authority that Maya immediately fell silent. She shot me <b>a </b>venomous se before following Leon<b>, </b><b>who </b><b>had </b><b>already </b>turned away without another ner in my direction.
Something strange happened as Leon walked away, Aty wolf, which had been rtively quiet all <b>day</b>, suddenly began pacing restlessly beneath my skin.
A peculiar beat spread through my chest, not unpleasant but unsettling in its <b>intensity</b>, I pressed my <b>hand </b>against my sternum, annoyed at my body s
reaction<b>. </b>
He defended you from Maya. So <b>what</b><b>? </b>I silently chided my woll. He probably just didn’t want to cause <b>a </b>scene.
Ethan cleared his throat, <b>drawing </b>my attention back to him. “Sorry about that,” he said, looking genuinely embarrassed. “Maya hasn’t changed <b>much </b>”
Adrian’s fingers tightened slightly against my back. Three o’clock then?”
Ya<b>. </b>F?kan teknfirmed<b>, </b><b>hit </b>esha darting betwer
Ai Ethan turned in lekre, Adrian bent to whoger in my rat. ‘I don’t like this.”
“<b>He’s </b>my brother,‘ I reminded him softly. “I need to ser him.
“When you’ve done talking, 111e pick you up,‘ he said famly. “Just text me.
The Silver Moon Hotel’s bar was surprisingly intimate–all dark wood and soft lighting, with private booths tucked away from the main seating area.
Despite the early afternoon hour, the ce had a decent crowd.
Ethan had imed one of the secluded spots, table of nmber inquid already in hand when I arrived.
“Skye!” He jumped up, enveloping me in a bear bug that lifted me off my feet. I still can’t believe you’re really here.”
1 hugged him <b>back </b>fiercely, breathing in his familiar pine scent. “I’ve missed you, Ethan,
We settled into the booth, and a waitress appeared almost inmediately. I ordered a simple vodka tonic, then turned my fall attention to my brother.
Tell m
me everything.” I demanded. “How are Mom and Dad? Are they
well?
Ethan’s expression softened. “They miss you terribly, Skye. Dad keeps your room exactly as you left it. Mom…” he hesitated, his eyes dropping to his drink, “Mom had a health scarest year. Had to have surgery,”
“What?” I gasped, my heart clenching with sudden fear. “Why didn’t anyone tell me? Is she okay?”
“It was just a small procedure,” Ethan assured me quickly. “Nothing serious. She’s fine now, back to gardening andining about <b>Dad’s </b>snoring.” He amiled, but I could see the concern lingering in his eyes. “<b>She’d </b>be overjoyed to see you.”
> Guilt twisted in my stomach, While I’d been building a new life, my parents had been <b>dealing </b>with health issues, probably worrying about me every day
“And <b>what </b><b>about </b>you?” I asked, eager to <b>shift </b>the focus. “What’s been happening in your life?”
Ethan’s face transformed, a grin stretching from ear to ear. “I <b>found </b>my mate,” he announced proudly, pulling out his phone. “Her name is Lily.”
“I know,” I smiled<b>. </b><b>“</b><b>You </b>mentioned her in your letters. Can I see a photo of her?
He showed me a photo of a pretty brte with warm brown <b>eyes </b>and a gentle smile. She <b>looked </b>kind–exactly the type of serious brother needed.
person my sometimes–too-
‘She’s beautiful,” I said sincerely. “When did this happen?”
“About a year ago,” he replied, his expression softening <b>as </b>he looked at the photo. “We’ve already marked each other. He tocked the phone <b>away</b>, his expression turning curious. “What about you? <b>Have </b>you found your mate? Is it someone in Dasisborn <b>Pack</b>? Is that why you joined them?
I shook my head, “No, I haven’t <b>found </b>another mate. The truth felt strange on my tongue, expecially after spending the night in Adrian’s ans. “I joined Oasisbon because Adrian helped me when I <b>was </b>in trouble. He’s <b>a </b>good Alpha,”
Ethan leaned forward, lowering his voice. “Look, <b>Skye</b>, being ‘good‘ doesn’t win Alpha King elections. Alpha Lean has been preparing for this his entire life. His chances of winning are much stronger.”
He reached <b>across </b>the table, taking my hand. “Why note home? If <b>you </b>just apologized to Leon, I’m sure he’d ept you back. We could be a family again. Mom and Dad <b>miss </b><b>you </b>so much.”
I pulled my hand away, shaking my head famly. “I have nothing to apologise for, Ethan. I didn’t do anything wrong. I miss Mom and Dad too, but I’m noting <b>back </b>to Frostshadow. I’m happy where I am now. Oasisburn is my home.”
1990, 2/3
<b>Chapter </b>106
<b>“</b><b>Is </b>it really?” a rold voice interni?teil.
I looked up to see Lean standing by our table, bis expression Impassive. How long had he been listening?
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they were literally at the hotel yesterday
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