<b>Chapter 169 </b>


    2


    Skye’s POV


    Leaving Morgan’s room, I caught Adn’s arm and gently reminded him, “We have dinner with your mother tonight.”


    Adrian ran a hand through his hair and let out a long sigh. The tension from the encounter with Morgan and Garrett clearly still weighed


    on him.


    “I’m actually a little nervous,” I admitted as we walked down the hotel corridor. “I don’t know if your mother likes me.”


    Adrian turned to me, his amber eyes softening. “Whether she likes you or not doesn’t matter, Skye.”


    “I know, but I still hope we can get everyone’s blessing.” I bit my lip, thinking about how my own family had reacted to my choices. “Family support means something, even in ourplicated world.”


    Adrian pulled me closer. “Don’t worry. No one can help but like you.” He kissed my forehead gently. “Trust me on this.”


    That evening, we met Adrian’s mother at what was supposedly the best restaurant in town. The ce screamed elegance with its crystal chandeliers and white tablecloths. Lillian was already seated when we arrived, her posture perfect as she sipped her water.


    Unlike my mother who could talk enough for three people, Adrian’s mother had a quiet, dignified air about her. Her amber eyes and straight nose had clearly been passed down to Adrian.


    What I hadn’t expected was her directness. After we’d barely ordered drinks, she looked straight at Adrian and asked, “Will you make Skye


    <b>your </b>mate?”


    I nearly choked on my water, and Adrian looked momentarily caught off guard. But he recovered quickly, his voice unwavering.


    “Yes, I am certain.” Adrian said, squeezing my hand tightly.


    Lillian then turned her prating gaze to me. “And you, Skye? Are you certain about choosing Adrian as your mate? I heard Alpha Leon <b>is </b>actually your mate.”


    I took a deep breath, aware of the weight behind this question. Though I was still Leon’s mate, I was absolutely certain that I chose Adrian. I nodded with conviction.


    <b>“</b>Yes, <b>I </b>am.”


    Lillian’s expression softened, the lines around her mouth rxing slightly. “I’m not trying to interfere in your personal matters,” she said, focusing on her wine ss<b>. </b>“It’s just that…” She paused, looking directly at Adrian. “I don’t want you to repeat my mistakes.”


    Adrian’s jaw tightened slightly. “Mother-<b>” </b>


    “If I had been more decisive back then…” Lillian stopped herself, forcing a smile. “Today should be about celebrating your advancement <i>in </i>the trials. I shouldn’t bring up old wounds.”


    The waiter arrived with our appetizers<b>, </b>providing a momentary distraction. When he left, Lillian reached for her phone, scrolling through something with a frown creasing her forehead.


    <b>10:07 </b><b>Thu</b><b>, </b><b>Oct </b><b>2 </b>


    “I think there are some rumors you need to address,” she said, turning the screen toward us. “People are talking.”


    I leaned forward to look at what appeared to be a social media page titled “WolfWatch: Election Edition. The first post I saw made my stomach drop.


    “How Skye Anderson betrayed her true mate and her pack for power.”


    Below it were hundreds ofments, each one worse than thest.


    “She betrayed Leon, turning her back on her destined mate. What kind of she–wolf does that?”


    “She’s nothing but a slut, toying with two Alphas at once. Talk about hedging your bets.”


    “Two Alphas? Please. I heard she’s been making rounds with several contenders. Smart strategy–whoever bes King, she bes Queen.”


    My hands trembled as I scrolled further down. There were photos–pictures I didn’t even know existed.


    Adrian with his arm around me entering our hotel.


    Leon kissing me at the banquet when he was drunk.


    Even a blurry shot of me getting out of Alpha Xavier’s car.


    All of it presented as evidence of my supposed promiscuity and maniption.


    “This is ridiculous,” Adrian growled, his eyes shing with anger as he looked over my shoulder.


    “Ridiculous or not, it’s spreading,” Lillian said calmly, taking back her phone. “These allegations could affect your standing in the election, Adrian. The Council might question your judgment if your potential Luna is seen as… morallypromised.”


    I felt sick to my stomach. The restaurant suddenly seemed too hot, too crowded. Every whispered conversation at nearby tables felt like it might be about me. <fn83b7> Newest update provided by find?novel</fn83b7>


    Adrian took my hand under the table, his grip firm and reassuring. “Anyone who believes this garbage isn’t worth our concern,” he said, but I could see the calction in his eyes. He knew as well as I did that perception mattered in politics, especially wolf politics.


    “How many people have seen this?” I asked.


    Lillian’s expression was sympathetic but practical. “Enough. It’s being shared in packs across the country.”


    I stared at my untouched appetizer, appetitepletely gone. After everything I’d been through–rejection, exile, finding a new ce with Adrian–I was now being painted as some kind of calcting harlot using her body for political gain.


    The worst part was knowing that some would believe it. After all, wasn’t it easier to believe I was a maniptive slut than to ept that I had found love after rejection?