Crowned by Fate Chapter 166

Skye’s POV

Adrian reached for his phone as soon as Lydia suggested contacting Garrett. The phone rang twice before a familiar voice answered.

"Alpha, is everything alright? It's late."

"Garrett," Adrian said. "We passed the third trial."

"I already knew that! I knew you'd make it through." Garrett's enthusiasm came through clearly. "I'm gathering intelligence on the fourth trial. It seems to focus on diplomatic relations between packs."

"Actually, that's not why I'm calling. It's about your mother."

Silence. Then Garrett's voice became cautious. "What about her?"

Adrian glanced at Daniel. "She's here with us. She's been unconscious for a day, trapped in her mind. She keeps calling for you."

"That has nothing to do with me."

"She keeps apologizing to you," Adrian continued gently. "Whatever happened, it's consuming her. Her Beta says—"

"Stop." Garrett's voice cracked. "I don't want to hear it."

"I'm not asking as your Alpha. I'm asking as your friend. See her. You don't have to forgive her, but I think you need to see her."

After a long pause: "I'll think about it."

"Garrett—"

"I said I'll think about it." The line went dead.

Adrian lowered the phone. "He'll come," he told Daniel confidently.

"How can you be sure?"

"Because he didn't refuse outright," I said. "Garrett never leaves things unfinished."

Twenty minutes later, Adrian's phone buzzed:

_Flight booked. Landing at 8 AM._

Adrian showed Daniel the message. "Tomorrow morning."

Relief transformed Daniel's face. "Thank you. I don't know how to repay—"

"Just take care of your Alpha."

As we left, Xavier stopped Lydia. "That incense smells incredible. Could I have some? These trials... I haven't been sleeping well."

Lydia studied him, then nodded. "I'll prepare some."

"You're brilliant," Xavier said. "The way you handled everything in there... pretty amazing."

Lydia actually blushed. "It's just experience."

At our hotel, Lydia distributed incense bundles to each room. When she reached ours, Adrian stopped her. "I don't need one. Skye and I share."

Xavier raised an eyebrow. "Hey, don't forget we're in elections, not on a honeymoon."

Later, lying in Adrian's arms, I sighed. "Everyone carries such deep wounds."

Adrian tilted my chin up. "True. But we also have invisible joys." He traced my cheekbone. "Secret happinesses."

"Like what?"

"Like this," he kissed me softly. "Like waking up next to you. Like having a true partner in all this madness. Don't think so much. Rest."

***

The sharp knock at our door came at exactly 8:47 AM. Adrian was already dressed, having been up for an hour preparing for Garrett's arrival.

Garrett stood in the hallway, and my heart clenched at the sight of him. Dark circles shadowed his eyes, making them look bruised. Despite his attempted cold demeanor when Morgan was mentioned, the evidence of his sleepless night told a different story.

"Garrett," Adrian said warmly, pulling him into a hug.

"Alpha."

"Just Adrian today," Adrian said, releasing him. "You're here as family, not pack."

I stepped forward and hugged Garrett too. "Thank you for coming," I whispered.

"Did I have a choice?" he smiled.

Even Lydia emerged from her room, offering a nod of acknowledgment. "Your mother's condition has stabilized overnight. The incense is helping keep her calm."

Garrett's jaw tightened at the mention of Morgan.

"Let's just get this over with."

We made our way to Morgan's hotel room in tense silence. Daniel must have been watching for us because the door opened before we could knock.

"Garrett?" Daniel's eyes wide with disbelief. "You actually came."

Garrett's limp was more pronounced than usual as he entered the room, whether from the long flight or emotional stress, I couldn't tell. He stopped several feet from the bed, staring down at the woman who'd haunted his absence for three years.

Morgan looked smaller than I remembered from the trials, fragile in a way that seemed wrong for an Alpha. Her face was peaceful now, the calming incense doing its work, but traces of dried tears still marked her cheeks.

"Three years," Garrett said finally. "Three years since I've seen her face."

Garrett's hand hovered over Morgan's face, not quite touching. Then he placed his palm on her forehead.

"Mom."

Nothing happened for a long moment. Then Morgan's eyelids fluttered. Her eyes opened slowly, focusing with difficulty.

"Garrett?" The word was barely a breath. Her eyes widened, tears immediately pooling. "No... no, I'm dreaming again. You're not really here."

"I'm here," Garrett said, his voice cracking despite his efforts to stay controlled.

Morgan's hand shot out, gripping his wrist with surprising strength. Her fingers traced his face as tears streamed down her cheeks.

"My boy. My beautiful boy. You came back."

She tried to sit up, hands reaching for him desperately. "Garrett, oh Garrett, I'm so sorry. I'm so—"

"You're awake. Good." Garrett pulled back abruptly, his mask slamming back into place. "Now that you're fine, I'll be going."

He turned toward the door in one sharp movement.

"No!" Morgan tried to swing her legs out of bed too quickly for her weakened state. She would have fallen if Daniel hadn't lunged forward to catch her.

"Garrett, please!" Morgan clung to Daniel but her eyes never left her son's retreating back. "Are you still angry with me? I understand. I do. But please... how have you been these three years? Are you eating well? Is your leg—"

Garrett stopped but didn't turn around. I positioned myself to see his profile and my heart broke at the sight. His eyes were red-rimmed, moisture gathering despite his best efforts.

Morgan continued, her voice breaking with sobs. "I know I failed you. I know I didn't give you the justice you deserved. But you're both my sons! I couldn't bear to see you hurt, but I couldn't bear to see your brother imprisoned either. You're all I have left in this world. I was selfish, I was greedy, I wanted to keep you both. Every day for three years, I've hated myself for it. Every single day, Garrett. Please..."

I moved to Garrett's side, gently touching his arm. "Maybe you should talk to your mother," I said softly. "Really talk. Clear the air once and for all."

Garrett's jaw was clenched so tight. But he didn't pull away from my touch.

I looked meaningfully at Adrian, then at Xavier and Lydia. Adrian understood immediately.

"Let's give them some privacy," he said quietly. "Daniel, that includes you."

Daniel looked like he wanted to protest, but one look at Morgan's face and he nodded. We filed out of the room quietly, leaving mother and son to face three years of silence.

As I closed the door behind us, I said softly, "Take all the time you need."