<b>Chapter </b>165
Skye’s POV
I expected Adrian to be angry,
After what he told him about Iron waking me from the maer’s illusion, I braced myself for the storm. Ever since Lean kissed me while drunk that night, things between Adrian and me had been tense.
“I hate that guy,” Adrian said quietly as we walked back to the hotel. But I’m grateful he saved you. Thats all that matters. You’re safe.”
I nced at Adrian in surprise. His expression held only concert and sincerity.
Something had charged in that mare. The Adhian who emerged wasn’t the same one who entered. The possessive fury that used toe him at any mention of Leon had been <b>reced </b>by something else,
Maturity? eptance<b>? </b><b>I </b>couldn’t quite name it.
“You’re staring,” he said, a slight smile turging at his lips.
“You’re different,” I admitted. “Before, just heating Leon’s name
old make you..
“Lose control?” He finished for me. “I know. I’m sorry for that. For all of it.
We reached the hotel, and Adrian stopped at the elevator, turning to face me fully. <b>Tve </b>been thinking. <b>Since </b>you won’t move back to my room, yours. I don’t care about the sleeping arrangements. I <b>just</b>… I can’t be separated from you again. Not after today.”
The vulnerability in his voice caught me off <b>guard</b>. This wasn’t a demand or a deration of possession. It was <b>a </b>request, almost a plea.
“Adrian…”
“Please, <b>Skye</b>. We almost lost each other in that maze. When I was trapped in that illusion, all I could think about was that I might never see you again. Never get to tell you. He <b>paused</b><b>, </b>running a hand through his dark <b>hair</b>. “Just let me stay close. That’s <b>all </b>I’m asking”
How could I refuse when he looked at me like that? Like I was his anchor in a storm.
“Okay,” I said softly. “You can move to my room.”
The smile that spread across his <b>face </b><b>was </b>brilliant, boyish almost. It reminded me that despite everything he’d been through, Adrian was still young. We
both were.
“Thank you,” he <b>said</b>, pulling me into a <b>gentle </b>embrace. Thank you.”
We spent the afternoon rearranging the room, Adrians things mingling with mine in a way that felt surprisingly natural. <b>Adrian </b>hanging his clothes mest to mine in the closet. Our toiletries sharing <b>space </b>on the bathroom counter
“You know,” Adrian said as he folded his shirts, I never thanked you properly foring after me in the maze.”
“You thanked all of us already,”
“No, I mean you specifically.” He set down the shirt <b>and </b>moved closer. “When I heard your voice calling my name, it was like… <b>like </b>finding solid <b>ground </b>after <b>drowning</b>. You brought me <b>back</b>, Skye.”
The intensity in his gaze made my heart skip. “We <b>brought </b>each other <b>back</b>,” I <b>said</b>. “That’s what we <b>do</b><b>.</b><b>” </b>
He nodded slowly. “We <b>should </b>get ready for dinner. Xavier invited us to loja him.”
An hourter, we made our way to the hotel restaurant where Alpha Xavier was already waiting. <b>He’d </b>secured <b>a </b>private dining room, and as we entered, he -stood with that more stor smile of h
<b>Chapter </b>165
“Adrian! <b>Skyet </b>And the wonderful Lindia,” he greeted warmly. Please, it I’ve ordered some wine. We should celebrate <b>making </b>31 to 15
<b>Lydia </b>had joined un, though Ryder begged off, iming exhaustion. As we witted arrend the table, I studied Xavier mije closely, Unlike the and showed no signs of fatigue or injury. His clothes were immacte, his demeanorpletely rxed. It was as if he’d spent the day at è apu father <b>than </b>fighting through a maze of illusions.
“You look remarkably well for someone who justpleted the third trial,” I observed.
Xavierughed, a rich sound that probably charmed audiences in his films. “Ah, the benefits of understanding the game. You see, I’ve acted in several movies. Horror, psychological thriller, even a few possances. If I wasn’t heir to an Alplis position, Ed probably be a full time actor.”
He poured wine for each of us,
graceful and practiced.
me, the third trial was simply performing in a one hour at y. Once
recognized the illusion for what it was, I just had to y my part until the curtain fell
“Must be nice,” 1 muttered, temembering my own desperate struggle in the mare. “Some of us aren’t so lucky with our scripts.”
“You know what I want
st to do most right now?” I continued, feeling bold from the wine and exhaustion. ‘I want to punch you in the face. Your seem to have been born under a lucky star, getting all the good roles.”
Instead of taking offense, Xavierughed even harder. “It’s not entirely luck, my dear Skyr. Before I became an actor, I spent two years studying psychology
That caught our attention. Even Adrian looked surprised.<fn0f3f> ?? ??? ???? ?? ???? ???? ???????s, ????s? ??s?? FιndNovel</fn0f3f>
Psychology Lydia asked. “That’s unusual for a wolf.”
“Exactly what my father said,” Xavier agreed. “<b>Most </b>wolves think psychology <b>is </b>useless. After all, we have our defined roles within the pack. We follow our Alphasmands. Our society is built on instinct and <b>hierarchy</b>, notplex emotional understanding.”
He swirled his wine thoughtfully. “But humans… their minds work differently. Moreyers, moreplexity. I even <b>visited </b>human psychiatric hospitals during my studies. Can you guess what I discovered?”
“That lots of people <b>are </b>just born <b>bad</b>?” I suggested, only half joking.
“You’re not wrong,” Xavier conceded. “But I noticed something else. The psychiatric wards had significantly more female patients suffering from depression.”
Thefortable atmosphene shifted slightly. <b>Lydia’s </b>expression grew guarded.
Xavier held up a hand quickly. I’m not being sexist or stereotyping. I’m simply sharing an observation. Sometimes, perhaps, women’s hearts are softer. More susceptible to emotional trauma. <b>Take </b>Alpha Morgan, for example. She was a strong contender, everyone expected her to make the finals. But she couldn’t break free from the third <b>trial</b>. They say she’s still trapped in the illusion. She might gopletely insane.”
A chill ran down my spine. That could have been me. If Leon hadn’t called my name, hadn’t broken through <b>the </b>illusions
hold…
“Alpha Morgan is still in town? Lydia <b>asked </b>suddenly. “I could prepare some herbs, see if they might help wake her.”
Xavier’s eyes lit up with genuine excitement. “Really? You could do
id do that? I’ll contact her Beta immediately. This in wonderful!”
Before anyone could react, Xavier had swept Lydia into an enthusiastic hug. “You’re <b>as </b>kind <b>as </b><b>you </b>are beautiful“”
Lydia’s face flushed crimson. She pushed against Xavier’s chest, extracting herself from the embrace with obvious embarrassment. “… I try my best. But I can’t guarantee it will <b>work </b>
Xavier stepped back, running a hand through his perfectly styled hair with sudden sheepishness. “Sorry. I get carried away sometimes. upational hazard of being an actor. We’re very… expressive.”