Crowned by Fate Chapter 111

Skye's POV

The drive back to our hotel passed in tense silence. Adrian's knuckles were white on the steering wheel, his eyes fixed on the road ahead. I could feel anger and frustration radiating from him in waves.

"I'm sorry," I finally said, my voice small in the confined space. "This isn't what I wanted."

Adrian's expression softened slightly as he glanced at me. "None of this is your fault, Skye. Leon is manipulating the situation to his advantage, as always."

When we arrived at our modest inn, Adrian surprised me by circling to the passenger side and lifting me into his arms again before I could exit the vehicle.

"Adrian, I can walk perfectly fine," I protested, though part of me enjoyed the security of his embrace.

"I know," he replied, his voice rough as he carried me through the lobby. "Just... let me hold you. Please."

As we made our way down the hallway toward our rooms, we encountered Alpha Xavier emerging from his suite. His eyebrows shot up at the sight of Adrian carrying me, a knowing smile spreading across his handsome face.

"Well, well," he drawled, leaning casually against his doorframe. "I thought the romance was supposed to begin after the Alpha King is crowned, not before."

Adrian glared at him with such intensity that Xavier's smile faltered slightly. Without a word, Adrian shouldered past him and carried me directly to his room, nudging the door open with his foot.

Once inside, he gently placed me on his bed, his amber eyes blazing with a primal hunger that set my pulse racing. Without warning, he leaned down and claimed my mouth in a kiss that scorched my senses.

This wasn’t like our previous kisses—gentle and exploring. This was feral, commanding, and fiercely possessive.

His hands knotted in my silver hair, pulling with a sharp tug that drew a soft moan from my lips. His tongue swept against mine, demanding surrender, a low growl rumbling in his chest. I clutched his shoulders, nails digging in as I matched his fire.

His hands roamed, one sliding down my spine to grip my hips, yanking me against him until I felt every hard line of his body.

“You’re mine, Skye,” he rasped, voice rough with need. His lips attacked my neck, teeth grazing my pulse before sucking hard, eliciting a gasp that melted into a whimper.

My head fell back, and he growled again, emboldened. His fingers traced the curve of my waist, then higher, cupping my breast with a bold squeeze that sent heat pooling low in my core.

“Say it,” he demanded, thumb circling with maddening precision. “Say you’re mine.”

“Adrian,” I moaned, voice trembling as his mouth descended, kissing the swell of my chest with searing intent.

He tugged at my blouse, exposing more skin, his lips and tongue tracing the edge of my bra, each touch a possessive brand. My fingers tangled in his dark hair, pulling him closer despite myself, lost in the storm of his desire.

For a moment, I was lost in him, consumed by the heat of his claim. But as his fingers grazed the edge of my shirt, reality snapped back. I placed my palms against his chest, gently pushing him away.

"Adrian," I gasped, struggling to catch my breath. "We can't. I just promised—"

"I know," he interrupted, pressing his forehead against mine. His breathing was ragged, his eyes closed as he fought for control. "I know. I just... I needed to touch you. Just one more time."

He pulled back, running a hand through his dark hair in frustration. "I can't believe this is happening. That bastard rejects you, abandons you for four years, and now suddenly has the right to dictate what happens between us?"

I reached for his hand, threading my fingers through his. "It's only a month, Adrian. We've waited this long. We can wait a little longer."

He sat beside me on the bed, his shoulders slumping slightly. "It's not just about the physical aspect, Skye. It's the principle. The idea that he still has any claim on you at all drives me insane."

"I know," I said softly. "Believe me, I'm not happy about it either. But after the election, Leon will formally break the bond, and we'll be free to move forward. Together."

Adrian turned to me, vulnerability evident in his expression. "What if..." he began, then hesitated. "What if when the time comes, you decide you want to keep the bond? He is your fated mate, after all. Some would say that's sacred."

The fear in his voice broke my heart. I cupped his face between my palms, forcing him to meet my gaze.

"Leon rejected me once, and I survived," I said firmly. "I built a new life, found a new pack, and fell in love with an Alpha who sees me for who I truly am—not just what I can do for his ambitions. I choose you, Adrian. Mate bond or no mate bond."

Some of the tension eased from his shoulders. He leaned forward, pressing a gentle kiss to my forehead.

"Stay with me tonight," he whispered. "Just to sleep. I don't want to be alone."

"Of course," I agreed, relieved that he wasn't pulling away.

Adrian rose from the bed, grabbing one of the pillows and tossing it onto the nearby sofa. I watched in confusion as he collected a spare blanket from the closet.

"What are you doing?"

"Setting up the sofa for myself," he explained matter-of-factly. "You take the bed."

I looked at the king-sized bed, then back at the narrow sofa that would barely accommodate his tall frame. "That's ridiculous. This bed is huge. We can share it without touching."

Adrian's lips quirked in a half-smile. "Either you're completely oblivious to your own appeal, or you trust me far too much. I'm a man, Skye. A man in love with a beautiful woman. I don't think I could lie beside you all night and maintain the self-control that agreement requires."

Heat rushed to my cheeks at his frank admission. "Oh."

"Oh, indeed," he replied, his smile growing more genuine. "So I'll take the sofa. But knowing you're here, in my room, is enough."

As I watched him arrange his makeshift bed, a wave of tenderness washed over me. Despite the turmoil of the day, despite Leon's cruel manipulation and the unexpected complications of the mate bond, one truth remained clear: Adrian was the man I wanted. The man I chose.

And no magical bond could change that.