Crowned by Fate Chapter 162

Adrian’s POV

That made us laugh even harder.

Leave it to Ryder to remember the exact price of his shoes in a moment like this.

A loud crackle filled the air as speakers around the competition grounds came to life.

"Attention all participants. The third trial has concluded. All competitors must gather at the main stage immediately."

Our laughter died as reality set in. We'd survived, but we still didn't know if we'd advanced to the finals. We weren't allowed to bring watches into the competition, and in the maze, there had been no sense of real time.

We made our way back to the main venue, joining the crowd of wolves gathering before the elevated stage. Elder Selene stood at the center, her silver robes catching the afternoon light. Her expression remained neutral as she surveyed the assembled packs.

"The third trial tested your ability to overcome illusion and deception," she began, "Only those who could see through the maze's tricks and maintain their true purpose could succeed."

She paused, then announced:

"Five packs have proven worthy to advance to the final round of the Alpha King Election." Her voice took on a formal tone. "Alpha Rodrigo of Ironwater Pack."

Applause erupted from one section of the crowd. Rodrigo stepped forward. If I didn't know he was the one who had hurt Lydia, I might have been fooled by his serious and dignified appearance.

"Alpha Leon of Frostshadow Pack."

More applause. Leon moved with confident grace, every inch the alpha prince he'd been raised to be.

"Alpha Maxwell of Stormhowl Pack."

My jaw tightened as my uncle's name was called. He smirked in my direction before taking his place.

"Alpha Xavier of Silverscreen Pack."

The youngest section of the crowd went wild. Xavier waved like the celebrity he fashioned himself to be.

Elder Selene's eyes found mine across the crowd. My team and I were still making our way through the mass of wolves, having arrived last from our position near the maze exit.

"And finally," she announced as we reached the stage area, "Alpha Adrian of Oasisborn Pack."

The silence was deafening.

Then the whispers started, rippling through the crowd like wind through leaves.

"Oasisborn Pack? How is this possible?"

"Must have been pure luck. No way they beat established packs on merit."

"I heard they've only been established for two years. This has to be a mistake."

"Desert wolves in the Alpha King competition? What's next, lone wolves?"

I kept my expression neutral, but I could feel the weight of hundreds of skeptical stares.

The other advancing alphas studied me with varying expressions.

Xavier clapped loudly for me, calling out "Well done, Alpha Adrian!"

But Leon, Maxwell, and Rodrigo looked at me like I was prey that had somehow escaped the hunt. Their eyes promised that wouldn't happen again.

Maxwell's gaze was particularly venomous. My uncle had clearly not expected me to make it this far.

Elder Selene raised her hand, and the whispers died instantly.

"Silence," she commanded, "The trials judge worthiness, not reputation. These five packs have earned their place."

She continued. "The Alpha King has arranged for all advancing packs to enjoy the Spirit Spring. This is no ordinary hot spring. Its waters carry ancient healing properties that will restore your wounds and replenish your strength for next week's final trial."

Excited murmurs replaced the earlier skepticism.

The Spirit Spring was legendary, available only during Alpha King competitions. Its waters could heal even serious injuries overnight.

Elder Selene turned to leave the stage, her duty done. But Ryder's voice stopped her.

"Elder Selene!"

She paused, turning back with raised eyebrows. The crowd's attention shifted to my young warrior.

"My shoe," Ryder said with complete seriousness. "I lost it in the maze. I need the Council to return it to me."

The silence this time was different. Shocked. Incredulous. In this formal setting, with the weight of the Alpha King Election hanging over us, Ryder was worried about footwear.

Several alphas actually laughed. Not kind laughter, but the mocking kind that said we didn't belong here.

How could we be serious competition if our warrior's biggest concern was a missing shoe?

Elder Selene's expression didn't change, but I caught the slight twitch at the corner of her mouth. "I will have someone search for your shoe, young warrior."

"Thank you, Elder," Ryder said with obvious relief.

As the crowd began to disperse, I noticed a familiar figure approaching. My mother moved through the crowd with the grace that had made her a respected Luna in two different packs.

Her eyes found mine, and for the first time in years, I saw genuine pride there.

"Adrian," she said softly when she reached us. "Congratulations. You've done well."

The sincerity in her voice caught me off guard. Since I'd left Stormhowl Pack, our communications had been minimal and strained.

"Thank you," I managed.

She glanced at my team, her gaze lingering on Skye. "I was hoping we could talk tomorrow. All of us." She looked between Skye and me meaningfully. "There are things that should be discussed."

The nightmare from the maze flashed through my mind. My mother's tears. Her helplessness. The fear that I was walking the same path as my father.

"Alright," I agreed. "Tomorrow."

She smiled, a real smile that reminded me of better times, then disappeared back into the crowd.

As we made our way toward the hotel, the weight of what had just happened settled over me. We'd made it to the finals, but barely.

"Thank you," I said suddenly, stopping in the middle of the path. My team turned to look at me. "I mean it. If you hadn't come for me in that maze, I don't think I would have made it through."

"That's what pack does," Lydia said simply.

"Still," I insisted. "Thank you."

We resumed walking, and curiosity got the better of me. "How did you two break free from the illusions? Ryder? Lydia?"

Lydia spoke first. "My witch bloodline gives me some resistance to mental manipulation. Once I recognized the pattern, I realized the pollen from those flowers and the powder on the butterfly wings had hallucinogenic properties. After that, breaking free was simply a matter of will."

"What about you, Ryder?" I asked.

He shrugged, suddenly looking embarrassed. "My illusion wasn't that bad. I was just back at Oasisborn Pack, training with everyone. It felt so real, so happy. But then Lydia woke me up."

His simple words hit harder than he probably intended. For Ryder, paradise wasn't glory or power or escape. It was home, with his pack.

Finally, I turned to Skye. She'd been quiet since we'd left the stage, and I'd been avoiding asking her about her experience. But I needed to know.

"What about you? How did you break free from the maze's illusion?"

She met my eyes, and something flickered in those green depths. An emotion I couldn't quite read.

"Leon woke me up," she said simply.