Crowned by Fate Chapter 152

Skye’s POV

"Leon," I called out his name.

"I'm here,"

Slowly, consciousness returned. The kaleidoscope of butterflies disappeared one by one, fading like morning mist. The dungeon holding Nadia dissolved into nothingness, revealing the stone walls of the underground maze once more.

As awareness flooded back, I realized with a jolt that I was cradled in Leon's arms, my head resting against his chest. I could hear his steady heartbeat, feel the warmth radiating from his body.

My wolf, still agitated from the horrifying vision, settled slightly at the familiar scent of our former pack mate.

Without thinking, I drove my elbow hard into his chest.

"Ow!" He yelped in pain, immediately releasing his hold on me. "What the hell was that for?"

"Just testing to see if you're another hallucination," I muttered, scrambling to put distance between us.

Leon glared at me, rubbing his chest where I'd struck him. "Then why didn't you slap yourself instead?"

"Well," I said, getting unsteadily to my feet, "now I'm certain you're not an illusion. The real Leon would definitely complain like that."

I struggled to my feet, creating as much space between us as the narrow passageway allowed.

"How did you end up here?" I asked, brushing dust from my clothes.

Leon straightened, his expression shifting to something more businesslike. "I got separated from my team. I was supposed to be on the upper level, but I triggered some kind of mechanism and fell through." He looked around the maze with grudging admiration. "This labyrinth is impressively designed—I didn't expect it to be so three-dimensional."

His eyes studied me with uncomfortable intensity. "What happened to you just now?"

I didn't want to tell him about Nadia, about the guilt that had nearly killed me even in illusion.

Instead, I deflected. "Didn't you see any hallucinations? Surely you experienced something."

"I did." His expression turned thoughtful, distant, as if recalling something he'd rather forget.

"Then how did you break free? You were alone."

Leon's face settled into his usual arrogant expression, tinged with contempt.

"This trial is about testing willpower. Ever since my mother died eleven years ago, I've been preparing for the Alpha King election. I'm not as weak-willed as you, giving up at the first sign of difficulty."

"I may have a weak will," I shot back, "but at least I'm not arrogant like you."

"This isn't the time for arguments," Leon said, his tone shifting to something almost... friendly? "We need to get out of here. Come on, I'll lead you out."

His unexpected kindness caught me off guard.

"Unless I'm mistaken, we're competitors now. Why would you help me?"

Leon sighed, running a hand through his dark hair.

"I just don't want you to lose your mind and become some crazy person. Ethan would be devastated, and so would your parents." His expression darkened. "Do you have any idea what happened after you ran away four years ago? Your parents beat the crap out of me. Besides," he added, his voice dropping lower, "you're still my mate. If you go insane, it affects me too."

"You deserved it!" I snapped, anger flaring at his casual mention of our bond.

Suddenly, Leon reached for my arm. I jerked away, sidestepping to maintain distance between us. I'd chosen Adrian. I couldn't do anything that might be misunderstood, anything that might hurt him.

"Why are you avoiding me?" Leon asked, genuinely puzzled. "I'm just worried we might trigger another trap and get separated again."

"Fine," I conceded reluctantly.

"Let's focus on getting through this tunnel and back to the surface," he said, all business again. "The exit has to be up there somewhere."

I nodded, thinking of Adrian. Once we reached the surface, I'd be able to mind-link him again. The thought gave me strength.

Swallowing my pride, I grabbed the hem of Leon's shirt and followed behind him. The fabric was soft between my fingers, and I tried not to think about how natural this felt.

Despite everything—despite choosing Adrian, despite the rejection, despite four years of distance—the remnants of our mate bond still hummed faintly between us.

Looking at Leon's broad back as he navigated the maze, I felt an unwanted sense of security. My wolf, usually so wary around him now, settled into calmness.

The scene was hauntingly familiar. My mind drifted back to the Hunt Festival four years ago, when I'd been chased by that grizzly bear. Leon had saved me then too, appearing like some fairy tale prince to rescue the helpless wolfless girl.

But this time felt different somehow. This time, I wasn't helpless. This time, I had my own strength, my own wolf, my own choices.

We walked in silence for several minutes, Leon choosing paths with the confidence of someone who understood mazes. His movements were sure, decisive—qualities that would serve him well as Alpha King, I supposed.

"Stop staring at my back," Leon said suddenly, not turning around. "I can feel it."

Heat rushed to my cheeks.

"Don't flatter yourself. I wasn't staring at you." I turned my face away, grateful he couldn't see my embarrassment.