Crowned by Fate Chapter 137

Skye’s POV

I took two steps back, pressing myself against the wall as Leon's imposing figure blocked my path. The hallway suddenly felt too narrow, too confining.

"Alpha Leon, you're drunk," I said firmly, trying to keep my voice steady despite the rapid beating of my heart.

Leon scoffed, standing straighter as if to prove me wrong.

"I'm the Alpha of Frostshadow Pack. How could I possibly be drunk?"

"I'll go find Maya to take you back to your hotel," I offered, attempting to slide past him.

He moved with surprising speed for someone intoxicated, his arm shooting out to block my escape, effectively pinning me against the wall. His other hand planted firmly beside my head, caging me in.

"You're not going anywhere," he growled.

Before I could protest, Leon grabbed my arm, pushing up my sleeve.

"Did you use it?" he demanded, examining my skin. "The healing salve I gave you—did you apply it?"

I froze, suddenly remembering how he'd claimed the medicine came from Ethan. Had it been from Leon himself all along?

"Yes," I answered cautiously, not wanting to provoke him further. "I used it. Thank you. Now, will you please let go of my arm?"

Instead of releasing me, Leon moved closer, his fingers traveling up to grasp my neck. Not choking, but firmly holding as he tilted my head to examine the skin there.

I shoved against his chest. "What are you doing?"

"Checking to see if you've broken our agreement," he replied, his eyes narrowing as they scanned my neck. "You promised me that during the election, you wouldn't have sex with him or allow him to mark you."

"I haven't violated our agreement," I snapped. "You, on the other hand—I could report you for sexual harassment right now."

Leon's grip loosened, but his lips curved into an amused smile that made my stomach clench.

"Sexual harassment?" He chuckled darkly. "Don't forget, Skye, you're still my mate. Anything I do to you is perfectly within my rights."

His fingers shifted to grasp my chin, tilting my face up toward his.

I should have fought harder, should have twisted away and fled. But something inexplicable happened when his skin touched mine.

Instead of revulsion, I felt a flicker of... desire?

My wolf rumbled with contentment in my mind, practically purring at his proximity.

No, I told myself firmly. This is wrong.

I gathered my resolve to push him away, but before I could act, Leon bent down and pressed his lips against mine.

My eyes widened in shock, my body frozen in place by the unexpected assault. The mate bond between us flared to life, sending warmth cascading through my veins against my will.

"Skye!"

Adrian's voice cut through the haze like a knife.

Over Leon's shoulder, I spotted him standing several yards away, his expression shifting rapidly from surprise to murderous rage.

My heart lurched with panic.

I struggled against Leon with renewed strength, but to my horror, he pulled me closer into an embrace. There was no mistaking the deliberate challenge in his actions—he was intentionally provoking Adrian.

In a blur of motion, Adrian closed the distance between them. His fist connected with Leon's jaw with a sickening crack, the force finally separating us.

Leon released me leisurely, as if he hadn't just been punched in the face. He wiped a trickle of blood from his lip, looking almost satisfied.

Adrian struck again, his next blow aimed at Leon's stomach.

"You fucking bastard," he snarled, rage contorting his features.

"Skye is my mate," Leon replied with infuriating calmness. "Besides, she wasn't exactly fighting me off. In fact, she seemed to be enjoying it." His eyes flicked to me with calculated malice. "Weren't you, Skye?"

Fury boiled up inside me at his manipulation.

"How dare you twist things like that!" I shouted. "You forced yourself on me!"

Adrian pulled me away from Leon, positioning himself protectively between us. Before I could stop him, he lunged forward again.

This time, Leon was ready. He blocked Adrian's strike and countered with one of his own. Within seconds, they were locked in a violent struggle, trading blows that echoed through the hallway.

"Stop it! Both of you!" I cried, helplessly watching as they grappled.

The commotion drew attention. Party guests began spilling into the hallway, forming a growing circle of spectators around the fighting Alphas.

"Isn't that Alpha Leon and Alpha Adrian?" someone whispered loudly.

"Why are they fighting before the third trial even begins?" another wondered.

"I heard Alpha Adrian's Beta was Alpha Leon's mate," a female voice offered, sending a wave of whispers through the crowd.

Maya pushed through the onlookers, her eyes narrowing when she spotted me. "Wasn't Adrian enough for you?" she hissed. "Why must you keep tempting Leon?"

The weight of judgmental stares settled on me from all directions, each gaze filled with disapproval and disgust. I wanted to disappear into the floor.

Alpha Xavier attempted to intervene, stepping between the combatants only to receive an errant punch to his face for his troubles. He staggered back, cursing.

"What is the meaning of this?" The authoritative voice of Alpha King Thomas silenced the murmuring crowd. He strode through the parting spectators, his presence commanding immediate respect.

Both Adrian and Leon paused mid-swing, chests heaving, faces bloodied.

"If either of you throws another punch," Alpha King Thomas warned, "you will be immediately disqualified from the third trial. Is that understood?"

The threat of disqualification finally penetrated their rage-clouded minds. They separated, though the hostility between them remained palpable.

Alpha King Thomas dismissed the onlookers with a wave of his hand.

"Return to the banquet. There's nothing more to see here."

As the crowd reluctantly dispersed, he turned his attention to the four of us remaining—Adrian, Leon, Maya, and myself.

"I don't care what sparked this childish display," he stated coldly. "An Alpha who cannot control his emotions is not fit to be Alpha King. Remember that before you embarrass yourselves—and me—again."

I nodded repeatedly, mortified by the entire situation. "We're very sorry, Alpha King Thomas. It won't happen again."

Taking Adrian's arm, I tugged him away before things could escalate further.

"Let's go," I whispered urgently.

Adrian allowed me to lead him away, though his eyes remained fixed on Leon until we turned the corner. His face was already swelling where Leon had landed several solid blows.

Behind us, I could hear Maya's concerned voice as she attended to Leon. The damage was done—not just to their faces, but potentially to their chances in the competition. And all because of me.