Crowned by Fate Chapter 136

Skye’s POV

From the corner of my eye, I saw Adrian's mother approaching her son, her hand on his arm as she whispered something in his ear.

"It's alright," she called to me. "I just need a moment with Adrian."

I turned back to Maxwell, whose expression remained pleasantly neutral as he extended his hand.

With no graceful way to refuse, I accepted, allowing Adrian's uncle to lead me away from where Leon stood frozen, his expression darkening further.

"I remember you now," Maxwell said as we began to dance. His movements were precise but lacked Adrian's natural fluidity. "You're that girl from Frostshadow Pack four years ago—the one without a wolf. How extraordinary to find you with my nephew. Fate has curious ways, doesn't it?"

I maintained a cold smile. "Speaking of curious ways, aren't you supposed to be finding a suitable Breeder for Alpha Leon? How's that project going?"

Maxwell's eyebrow quirked upward. "I did find an excellent female warrior for the role. Unfortunately, she ran away with Adrian."

My step faltered. "Nadia?"

The four-year-old wound reopened instantly. Nadia, Adrian's loyal Beta who had fled Stormhowl Pack with him. The only explanation for Maxwell's words.

He confirmed with a slight nod. "The very same. I notice she's not here competing. Did she not join you for this momentous occasion?"

Grief and anger twisted together in my chest. "She's dead."

"Ah." Maxwell's expression held no genuine remorse. "Unsurprising. Adrian has always been too soft to properly protect his women. Which brings me to a proposition that might interest you."

"What proposition?" I asked, struggling to keep my voice steady as memories of Nadia flooded through me.

He twirled me under his arm before continuing. "You could convince Adrian to return to Stormhowl Pack. If he helps me secure the Alpha King position, I'll guarantee his place as my heir. He would remain the future Alpha of our ancestral pack."

I missed a step.

I stared at him, disgusted by his casual manipulation. "And why would I help you?"

"Because, my dear, whether you're Adrian's Luna or not, you clearly want what's best for him. And returning to his birthright is far better than dying for some desert oasis that no wolf should call home."

I finally understood Maxwell's purpose in exchanging dance partners.

My gaze drifted to where Adrian stood with his mother across the room. Her expression was earnest, her hands clasped around her son's as she spoke. I had little doubt she was delivering the same proposal.

"Adrian would never agree to your shameless request," I said, shaking my head firmly. "He knows exactly what you are."

Maxwell's pleasant mask slipped, revealing the cold calculation beneath.

"You survived the oven incident by sheer luck. Perhaps next time, you won't find escape so easy."

My blood ran cold. "The oven door that wouldn't open—was that your doing?"

Maxwell's laugh was soft and chilling.

"I hardly need such crude methods to eliminate threats. If I wanted Adrian dead, I would have executed him when he betrayed Stormhowl four years ago. I wouldn't put his mother through that pain."

"Betrayed?" I challenged, my voice rising despite my efforts to remain calm. "Wasn't it you who betrayed him? You stole what was rightfully his."

Maxwell's fingers suddenly dug into my arm, his grip painfully tight. "Mind your words," he warned, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "You're speaking to an Alpha."

I bit back a gasp of pain, refusing to give him the satisfaction.

The pressure of his fingers would leave bruises, but I maintained eye contact, refusing to look away until the music finally ended.

As the dance concluded, Adrian appeared at my side, his face a careful mask that didn't quite hide the tension in his jaw.

He nodded curtly to his uncle before leading me away from the dance floor.

"What did Maxwell tell you?" he asked once we were safely away from listening ears.

"He wants me to convince you to abandon the election," I explained, accepting a flute of champagne from a passing server. "Return Oasisborn Pack to Stormhowl's control. In exchange, he promises that once he becomes Alpha King, you'll inherit leadership of Stormhowl Pack."

Adrian's eyes searched mine. "And what do you think of his offer?"

"I told him to go to hell," I replied without hesitation.

The smile that spread across Adrian's face made my heart skip.

"Thank you for standing with me," he said softly, clinking his glass against mine.

After two glasses of champagne, the tension in my shoulders had finally begun to ease.

"I need to use the restroom," I told Adrian, who nodded and promised to wait for me.

The hallway outside the ballroom was mercifully quiet after the noise and pressure of the banquet. I took my time, savoring the brief solitude before heading back.

As I emerged from the restroom, the sharp scent of alcohol hit me before I saw him. Leon stood in the hallway, his tall frame leaning against the wall, his eyes glassy with drink but focused intently on me. I attempted to walk past without acknowledging him, but he pushed away from the wall, blocking my path.

‘The scent of whiskey clings to him like a second skin,’ my wolf observed with disapproval.

The mate bond between us pulsed with uncomfortable awareness as he stood silently before me, his presence impossible to ignore.

"Skye," he finally spoke.