Crowned by Fate Chapter 160

Adrian’s POV

The world tilted on its axis as I stared at the second Skye standing in the doorway. My arms loosened around the Skye pressed against me, my fangs retracting as shock coursed through my veins like ice water.

Two Skyes.

Two identical women with silver hair and eyes like rain-soaked leaves, wearing the same clothes, standing in the same room. My wolf whined in confusion, pacing restlessly in my mind.

I stepped back from the Skye in my arms, putting distance between us as my mind raced. One of them had to be an illusion created by the maze. But which one?

Or had I been trapped in an illusion all along, never truly waking up?

A chill ran down my spine. What if neither of them was real?

"Adrian," the Skye in the doorway said, her voice tight with urgency. "Get away from her. She's not me."

The Skye beside me laughed, but there was no humor in it. "Nice try. I'm the one who's been with him this whole time."

They glared at each other, and I watched in growing horror as they moved with identical grace, their expressions mirroring each other perfectly. Even the way they tilted their heads, the way their hands clenched into fists—everything was exactly the same.

"You're the fake," doorway-Skye spat, stepping into the room. "The real Skye would never push Adrian to mark her in the middle of a dangerous maze. This isn't the time or place."

"And you think the real Skye would interrupt the most intimate moment of our lives?" The Skye beside me crossed her arms, her green eyes flashing. "You don't love Adrian. You're just a maze construct trying to confuse him."

"I love him more than my own life," doorway-Skye said fiercely. "Which is why I wouldn't risk his safety by distracting him when we're still in danger."

"Danger?" The other Skye scoffed. "The only danger here is you. I've been by Adrian's side, comforting him, loving him. Where were you?"

"Fighting through the maze to find him!"

"Convenient excuse."

I looked between them, my head spinning. Every gesture, every inflection, every flash of emotion across their faces—identical.

Even their scents were the same—neither had the typical werewolf smell, just the familiar fragrance of my shampoo and body wash. Ever since we'd confirmed our relationship, she'd been using the same products as me. We even used the same toothpaste.

"Adrian," the Skye beside me said softly, reaching for my hand. "Remember when you found me in that bar? How you saved me from that drunk? I was so scared, but you made me feel safe for the first time since leaving my pack."

My heart clenched at the memory. It was true.

But then doorway-Skye spoke. "What the fuck? So we're comparing who knows more secrets now?" She crossed her arms. "Remember when Ryder and I stole the wolf wine? You punished us with five hundred push-ups."

That was true too. The memory was crystal clear in my mind.

"Remember our first run together?" The Skye beside me stepped closer. "I'd just shifted for the first time, and I was so clumsy. You personally taught me, stayed by my side, making sure I didn't hurt myself."

"Remember when I cooked for the pack for the first time?" Doorway-Skye countered. "I burned everything, and the kitchen was full of smoke. But you ate every bite and said it was delicious."

Both memories were real. Both had happened. My chest tightened as they continued.

"The night you held me after my nightmares about Leon—"

"When you showed me the sunrise from the mountain peak—"

"Our first kiss under the full moon—"

"The way you look at me when you think I'm not watching—"

They spoke over each other, their voices blending into a painful symphony of shared memories. Each one true, each one precious. The Skye beside me grabbed my arm, while doorway-Skye stepped closer, reaching for my other hand.

"I'm real, Adrian," they said in perfect unison, and the synchronization sent another chill through me.

"Stop," I said, my voice hoarse. "Just... stop."

They both fell silent, watching me with identical expressions of hurt and desperation. It was like looking at a reflection in a shattered mirror—the same image repeated, but somehow wrong.

"Alpha Adrian! We finally found you!" Ryder's voice called out as he burst into the room with Lydia close behind. "Skye ran so fast we almost lost—"

He stopped mid-sentence, his eyes going wide as he took in the scene. "How are there two Skyes? Is this another illusion? I thought the illusion only happened once?"

Then a grin spread across his face. "Actually, two is perfect! This maze isn't so bad after all. It knows exactly what I want. If Skye had a twin sister, I'd marry her for sure!"

"Ryder, in your dreams!" one of the Skyes snapped. "Just wait till I get out of here and see how I punish you."

"Ryder!" I snapped. "This is not the time for jokes!"

He raised his hands in surrender, but the amusement didn't entirely leave his eyes. "Sorry, Alpha. Just trying to lighten the mood."

I turned to Lydia, desperate for her insight. "Lydia, what do you think? Which one is real?"

She studied both Skyes with careful attention. The silence stretched between us, heavy with tension. Both Skyes watched her, hope and fear warring on their identical faces.

Finally, Lydia spoke, her voice gentle but knowing. "Alpha Adrian, you already have the answer in your heart. You just don't want to let go, do you?"