Casts 137_Crowned by Fate

The moment Adrian and i trek and start at with their chosenpanions, an MINY

 Bang banger note. 1 hoping me

 meson., Alphins from all options at the

 Alphe King Thomas tree from his vest at the head of de naam,manding inmeta nempt back in reveal a face etched with bath wisdom and ruthlessMALE

 stood tall and beet chersidered, his call and

 The evirmenisi medallion of the Alphe kine gleamed kesinti

 abeat, catching the light

 For a brief moment, I found myself pictoring Addan wearing that medallion, standing tall

 “Distinguished Alphas, his deep voive resonated through the hall, I congratte each of you in mrviving the moond nial.” (Pr eyes, chara at a predators, veeps across the room. Your strength, cunning, and determination have brought you this for–but the fear test

 we feast as mals, as brothers and sisters of the moon.”

 He mised his crystal ss. To the future of our kind, to the strength of our packs, and to the worthy Alpha who will next wee

 I took a small sip of the champagne, thankful when servers began bringing out the first course.

 I took a small sip of the champagne, thankful when servers began bringing out the first course. Leon satdiretly across from me. mine. The less I had to speak, the better.

 Adrian leaned closer, Try the smoked salmon, he murmured, serving a portion onto my te before I could respond it’s excellent

 Throughout the first course, Adrian continued his attentive care–cutting my venison into perfect bite–sized pieces, ensuring my wine ss and filled, his fingers asionally brushing mine in reassurance.

 “How domestic,” a melodic female voicemented from my other side. I turned to find a striking woman with copper colored hair and calcting eyes watching us with amusement. “Alpha Adrian personally cutting his Beta’s meat. How… naval”

 the first trial.

 I recognized her immediately–Alpha Morgan of the Cascade Pack, the woman who had warned me at theke during the

 She was the only female Alpha present at tonight’s banquet, with her Beta, a middle–aged man, sitting respectfully beside her.

 “Alpha Morgan,” I acknowledged with a polite nad.

 Her lips curled into a knowing smile. “You two certainly don’t behave like a typical Alpha and Beta. When I saw you dive into thatke after him during the first trial, I knew there was more between you then pack hierarchy.”

 you for your warning that day,” I said, genuinely gratefull despite my embarrassment. “I didn’t realer who you were then

 Thank you f

 Morgan waved a dismissive hand. I simply hate to see any young, beautiful girl in danger.” Morgan looked at Adrian, then turned back to me. “Is he your

 1 shifted ufortably under her perceptive gaze,

 Weir Famil

 family,” I answered her question, acutely aware that

 could hear every word.

 The word family felt safe–true in its own way without revealing too much. I couldn’t bring myself to call Adrian my mate or lover with Loun sitting directly across from us, the mate bond between us thrumthing like a taut wire despite my efforts to ignore it

 Adrian, however, had no such reservations. He and actuss me, his amber eyes meeting Morgan’s with unwavering confidence.

 “Skye is my future Luna,” he stated firmly, his hand seitling possessively on my lower back. 

 The temperature around our section of the table seemed to drop sermal degrees. I didn’t need to look up to feel Lean’s fury–it crashed against my consciousness through our bond like waves against a clif.

 1/3 <ol><li>The knife in bis hand bent Flightly under his grip.</li></ol>

 “Khitan,” I mormored, ting my hand on his mm. “My as are healing well. You dos i need ne fin over m? so much. “

 The Bath of hurt in his eyes made my chest constrict, but I couldn’t tisk a confrontatie between him and Leon.

 Not herr 

 Alpha Morgan’s gare darted betieren ut and Leon, her expression shifting in one of delighted realization.

 “Oh my,” she chuckled softly. “The plot thickens. A Lima imed by one Alpha while honded to another? You’re going to make this election very Skye Anderson.”

 Across the table, Maya ced a perfectly cut piece of sainton on Leon’s te, leaning close to him

 “Your favorite, she purred.

 Leon didn’t even nce at the offering, his eyes boring into mine with an intensity that made my wolf whine in distress.

 Maya followed his gaze to me, her expression morphing into one of pure hatred.<fn64bf> Readplete version only at F?ndNovel</fn64bf>

 I leaned toward Adrian, my lips nearly touching his ear.

 “I told you we shouldn’t havee

 After dinner came the dancing. Crystal chandeliers dimmed to create an intimate atmosphere as a small orchestra began ying.

 ir and extended his hand to me

 Adrian rose from his chair

 “Dance with me,

 I hesitated, looking at his outstretched hand. “I should warn you–during those years I wandered, I worked a lot of jobs. Bartender, waitress, men bouncer once. But never a dancer 

 His smile, warm and reassuring, made my heart Batter. Til teach your” 

 Before I could protest further, he led me to the dance floor, positioning one of my hands on his shoulder while his own settled at my waist. his palm burned through the thin fabric of my dress.

 “Just follow my lead, he whispered, beginning to move with confident grace.

 The warmth of

 For someone so physically powerful, Adrian moved with surprising elegance. His steps were precise, guiding me effortlessly across the floor until I began to rx into the rhythm. 

 “You’re really good at this, I admitted, impressed by his skill.

 *Required course at the Alpha Heir Academy,” he exined with a slight smile. “Before my father died, I was being groomed as Alpha. Dancing, diplomacy, even proper dining etiquette–all part of the curriculum.“

 The mention of his father brought a shadow across his features. I squeezed his hand gently.

 “He would be proud of you,‘ I said softly. “Sering the Alpha youve be, the pack you’ve built–be’d be so proud, Adrian.”

 The music swelled around us as Adrian pulled me closer, his cheek resting again my temple. For a moment, we moved as one, forgetting the politics, the — trials, and the watching eyes. Just Adrian and me, swaying to the music.

 Then Alpha King Thomas’s voice broke through the spell.

 “Ladies and gentlemen,” he announced, ‘bu mut next disce, I invite you all to exchange partners. Tonight we are not riests but friends catetrating out shared heritage. Please, select a new partner for this next walte

 Adrian grip on my waist tightened momentarily before he reluctantly stepped back

 1 nced around nervously, spotting Leon making his way toward me with determined strides. My heart hammered in my chest–I wasnt ready mnfrontation.

 Before Leen could reach the, however, an older man with silver streaked dark halt and familiar amber eyes intercepted me,

 “May I have this dance, Ms. Anderson? Maxwell’s polished voice held no room for refusal,

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Casts 137