Crowned by Fate Chapter 117

Skye's POV

"A bunch of losers, just jealous of Alpha Leon's achievements," a familiar mocking voice cut through our conversation.

I turned to find Maya standing nearby with several members of Frostshadow Pack. She wore a tastefully designed shirt in Frostshadow's colors with their pack emblem prominently displayed over her heart.

Her devotion to Leon was evident in every detail of her appearance—from the silver wolf pendant around her neck matching Leon's eyes to the way she positioned herself slightly behind him, ready to support his every move.

Before I could respond, Ethan broke away from the group and hurried to my side. His eyes swept over me anxiously as he grasped my hands, examining me for injuries.

"I heard you jumped into the lake today," he said, concern etched across his features. "Are you hurt? What were you thinking?"

"I'm fine," I assured him, touched by his worry despite my irritation at being treated like a child. "Not even a scratch."

Ethan's expression hardened. "Don't ever do something so reckless again. Do you have any idea what would happen to Mom and Dad if something happened to you? They barely survived you leaving the first time."

The mention of our parents sent a pang of guilt through my chest, but I straightened my shoulders, refusing to be cowed. "I'm not a little girl anymore, Ethan. I'm the Beta of Oasisborn Pack. Whatever you can do, I can do too."

"Is that so?" Leon's voice cut through our exchange as he emerged from the crowd. Unlike the others, he showed no signs of fatigue from the day's trial. His movements remained precise and controlled, his blue eyes cold and calculating as they fixed on me.

Without warning, he grabbed my arm, his grip firm but not painful. "Don't forget, we still share a mate bond. If you're injured or killed, you'll only drag me down with you."

I yanked my arm free, my wolf bristling beneath my skin. "Don't touch me. You lost the right to concern yourself with my welfare four years ago when you rejected me in front of the entire pack."

Leon's lips curled into a condescending smile. "Still so dramatic." He shifted his gaze to Adrian, mockery clear in his tone. "If you can't properly protect this woman, perhaps you should hand her over to us. I could temporarily safeguard her until the election concludes."

The way he spoke about me—as if I were a package to be passed between owners—made my blood boil. Before I could respond, Maya stepped forward, her face flushed with indignation.

"Alpha Leon," she protested, "Skye is a traitor to Frostshadow Pack! She doesn't deserve to return, and she certainly isn't worthy of your protection."

Adrian's arm slid around my waist, pulling me firmly against his side. The possessive gesture was both comforting and thrilling, his body radiating protective heat.

"My Beta and my love are my responsibility," he stated, his voice carrying the quiet authority that defined him as Alpha. His amber eyes met Leon's with unwavering intensity. "I don't need assistance from someone who abandons their own pack members."

His gaze flicked briefly to Maya before returning to Leon. "Perhaps Alpha Leon should focus on managing his own woman rather than concerning himself with mine."

The deliberate dig made Maya's face flush crimson. Leon's expression darkened dangerously, his eyes glinting with barely suppressed rage.

"You think yourself worthy of her?" Leon scoffed, his eyes raking over Adrian with undisguised contempt. "A castoff Alpha who couldn't even hold his birthright territory? She belongs to a bloodline that dates back fourteen generations of pure Frostshadow lineage."

"Interesting," Adrian replied, his voice dangerously calm. "You speak of her bloodline now, but I recall you rejected her for lacking a wolf. Convenient how your appreciation for her heritage returns only when it serves your purpose."

"Pretty words from a man who'll be eliminated before the third trial," Leon sneered. "Enjoy playing Alpha while you can."

"That's enough," I interrupted, heat flooding my cheeks at what he'd been about to reveal. "This isn't the place."

Leon's jaw tightened, a muscle twitching beneath his skin. For a moment, I thought he might actually attack Adrian, consequences be damned. But he merely stepped back, composing himself with visible effort.

"Enjoy your temporary arrangement," he said coldly. "After the election, when our mate bond is officially severed, you can play house with your desert dog all you want."

"Big talk from someone who stole coins from unconscious competitors," Ryder interjected, unable to contain himself any longer.

Leon's attention snapped to Ryder, his expression darkening. "Be careful, pup. The adults are talking."

Adrian shifted slightly, positioning himself between Leon and Ryder. "We're done here," he said firmly, effectively ending the confrontation.

As the tension began to dissipate, Ethan pulled me aside, his voice lowering. "I called Mom and Dad," he admitted. "Told them I saw you." He hesitated, uncertainty crossing his features. "They'd love to hear from you this week. Even just a short call."

The thought of speaking to my parents after four years sent a mixture of longing and anxiety through me. "Okay," I agreed softly. "I'll call them."

Fatigue suddenly washed over me, the day's events catching up all at once. "I need to get back to the hotel," I murmured to Adrian. "I'm exhausted."

He nodded, understanding without words as he guided me toward the exit.

As we stepped outside, a somber procession moved slowly down the street—werewolves dressed in formal black, carrying two wooden coffins draped with pack colors. The sight of the funeral procession for the Alphas who had died during the trial hit me with unexpected force.

I gripped Adrian's hand tightly. "This isn't a game," I whispered, the reality of the election's stakes suddenly crystal clear. "People are actually dying for this crown."

Adrian's fingers intertwined with mine, his expression grave. "No, it's not a game. It never was."

***

Back at our hotel, Adrian and I stood awkwardly outside my door. The no-contact agreement with Leon hung between us like an invisible barrier.

"Thank you for saving me today," I said softly. "That was incredibly foolish of me, diving in without equipment."

"It was," Adrian agreed. "But I understand why you did it."

As he shifted his weight, I noticed him wince again, his hand instinctively moving to his ribcage. "You're hurt," I said, concern sharpening my voice. "Let me see."

Before he could protest, I ushered him into my room and gently tugged his shirt upward. I gasped at the sight of his chest—a massive bruise spread across his left side, the skin mottled purple and black.

"It's nothing," he said dismissively. "Just a few broken ribs. They'll heal by morning."

"This isn't nothing, Adrian!" I exclaimed, my fingers hovering over the injury. "Was it the Direwolf? Or did someone do this to you?"

He hesitated. "It doesn't matter."

"It was Leon, wasn't it?" When he didn't answer, I knew I was right. "I'll get Lydia's healing salve. Wait here."

I returned moments later with the medicinal cream. As I gently applied it to his injuries, our eyes met, and the intensity in his gaze made my breath catch.

"Promise me something," Adrian said, suddenly capturing my face between his palms. His voice was rough with emotion. "Promise me you'll never do anything that reckless again. When I saw you in the water without equipment, my heart nearly stopped."

The raw vulnerability in his expression made my throat tighten. "I thought I'd lost you," I admitted. "I couldn't just wait on shore, hoping—"

"Promise me," he insisted.

"I promise," I whispered.