<b>Chapter </b>171
687
Skye’s POV
I watched Adrian tense beside me as his eyes locked with Leon’s. To prevent their confrontation from escting, I gently squeezed Adrian’s palm, a silent signal that there was no need to engage. I turned to Leon, keeping my voice deliberately neutral.
“I think I already said thank you,” I said. “Besides, you didn’t rescue me just out of concern, did you? You were worried our mate <b>bond </b>wasn’t fully dissolved yet, and I might affect your candidacy. You were only helping yourself.”
Leon’s mouth twitched, a sh of anger crossing his features before settling into a cold smirk. “<b>Is </b>that what you think?<b>” </b>He stepped closer. “Let me remind you of something. You passed the second trial only because I had Maya give you the correct answers and provided evidence to the Council.”
His eyes gleamed with satisfaction as he continued. “You survived the third trial because I saved you. And the final <b>trial</b><b>?</b>” He shook his head slowly<b>. </b>“Alpha Adrian, next time you won’t be so lucky. The final round is an individualpetition. No one <b>can </b>help you<b>.</b><b>” </b>
Adrian moved forward, positioning himself slightly in front of me. “We’ll see about that,” he growled. “I wouldn’t mind erasing the title ‘Alpha Leon‘ either.”
Before they could escte further, I tugged on Adrian’s arm. “I’m tired. We should go.”
Without warning, Adrian scooped me into his arms, cradling me against his chest. “Then let’s go back to shower and sleep,” he announced, loud enough for Leon to hear.
I buried my face against Adrian’s chest, not wanting to see Leon’s expression. The steady thump of Adrian’s heart beneath my ear was oddly calming as he carried me away.
“You seem thinner than before,” Adrian murmured as we walked. “The thermal springs prepared by the Alpha King open officially tomorrow. You should go with Lydia and Ryder. Everyone needs a day to rx.”
He held me tighter, his lips brushing my ear as he whispered, “I’m sorry you’ve endured so much hardship because of me. For the final trial, I promise I’ll win.”
I pressed my forehead against his neck, breathing in hisforting scent. “I know you’ll win,” I whispered back. “But I don’t want you to feel too pressured.”
***
“Thermal springs!”
When Adrian announced after dinner that we were going to the hot springs tonight, Ryder practically bounced three feet into the air with excitement.
Alpha Xavierughed, his perfect white teeth shing. “It’s just some hot water. Why are you so excited?”
“I haven’t been to hot springs in <b>five </b><b>years</b>,” Ryderined. “Living in the desert is rough. People like you from big cities wouldn’t understand.”
Adrian red at him. “What? If you want to move to Los Angeles, I won’t stop you.”
<b>10:07 </b><b>Thu</b><b>, </b><b>Oct </b><b>2 </b>
Chapter 171 <fn2687> Original content can be found at Find~Novel</fn2687>
Ryder quickly raised both hands in surrender. “I never said that.”
<b>87 </b>
At seven that evening, we arrived at the reportedly healing thermal springs. A staff member guided Lydia and me to select swimwear<b>, </b>both surprisingly conservative.
When we emerged from the changing rooms in our bathing suits, we encountered Adrian in the hallway. <b>I </b>caught the sh of appreciation in his eyes as they swept over me.
Adrian raised an eyebrow, pulling me into his arms. “You look <b>sexy</b>,” he murmured. “I wish I could join you in the springs.”
“Maybe <b>we </b>should take a long vacation after the election is over,” I suggested<b>, </b>smiling <b>up </b>at him.
Just then, a familiar voice came from behind us. I turned to see Leon.
“Let’s hope the losers will still be in the mood for a vacation when this is over,” he said sarcastically.
I pursed my lips and quipped, “When did you develop this habit of eavesdropping on private conversations, Leon?”
Leon snorted, “Who’s eavesdropping? You’re blocking the hallway.” I shifted to the side, making <i>a </i>gesture of invitation with my hand.
Leon stormed off toward the men’s section of the springs with anger in his steps.
“See you in an hour,” I told Adrian, giving him a quick kiss before following Lydia toward the women’s thermal pool.
The women’s area was beautifully designed with natural rock formations surrounding steaming pools of various sizes. Soft lighting created
a peaceful atmosphere, and the air was heavy with mineral–rich steam promising rxation and healing.
When we entered, Maya was already there, lounging in a provocative red bikini. Seeing us, she whispered something to the three female warriors beside her. All three immediately stepped back, their expressions morphing into disgust.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, confused by their reaction. “Is there something in the water?”
“Not yet,” Maya replied with a smirk, looking at herpanions. “But something dirty is about to get in.”
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