Crowned by Fate Chapter 95

Skye's POV

The phone rang just as the sun was setting over Oasisborn, casting long shadows across Adrian's office. He answered on the second ring, his expression immediately shifting from calm to tension as he recognized the caller.

"Because you did not obtain the Alpha King's approval before dissolving Gravestone Pack and confiscating their territory, it violates the established protocols," the voice on the other end announced. Even through the phone, I could hear the formal, bureaucratic tone of the North American Werewolf Council elder. "The Council has decided to reassess your candidacy for the Alpha King election."

Adrian's amber eyes flashed with barely controlled anger. "Gravestone Pack was a cancer!" he growled into the receiver. "Those monsters had terrorized the western territories for years! Where were you when they poisoned our water? When they tortured and murdered our Beta? Why didn't the Council speak up for the packs suffering under Kane's tyranny?"

I could hear the elder's response, though his words were measured and diplomatic: "I understand your frustration, Alpha Adrian. I'm merely following established procedures. My superiors have instructed us to review your eligibility in light of recent events."

Adrian's jaw clenched, his free hand curling into a fist on his desk. "I will provide evidence of Kane's crimes and those of his subordinates," he said, each word carefully controlled despite the fury beneath. "And if the Council still chooses to deny my candidacy, I will petition alongside eight other western packs for a formal appeal."

Without waiting for a response, he ended the call, the phone clattering onto his desk with more force than necessary.

"Adrian," I began, confusion and anger mixing in my voice. "Didn't the Council approve your candidacy just two days ago? Why are they suddenly reassessing? This doesn't make sense!"

Adrian ran a hand through his dark hair, his shoulders tense with frustration. "I don't know," he admitted, though his eyes held a suspicious glint. "Something's changed, and I doubt it's because they suddenly care about western pack politics."

"Could it be Kane's Beta?" I suggested. "Maybe he's trying to sabotage your campaign out of revenge."

Adrian shook his head dismissively. "Kane's Beta doesn't have the connections or influence to reach the Council's inner circles." He paused, his expression darkening. "But my uncle Maxwell does. He probably heard about us absorbing Gravestone's territory and resources. The last thing he wants is for us to become more powerful."

The mention of Maxwell sent a surge of irritation through me. Though I'd never met the man who had stolen Adrian's birthright, I already despised him for what he'd done to Adrian—and now for potentially sabotaging his dreams.

"Don't worry about this, Skye," Adrian said, his voice gentling as he noticed my expression. "I'll pass their reassessment. But I need you to help prepare our evidence against Gravestone Pack."

I nodded, already mentally cataloging what we needed. "I'll get the reports from Dr. Chen—Nadia's injury reports and autopsy findings."

Adrian winced slightly at the mention, but gestured approvingly. "Good. But there's more."

"Kane's public violation of our most sacred laws," I continued, understanding his train of thought. "The wedding incident—attacking humans openly, risking exposure of our kind—that's far more serious than internal pack conflicts."

"Exactly," Adrian confirmed. "The Council might overlook territorial disputes, but they can't ignore threats to our collective secrecy."

***

Later that evening, I sat in the Beta office. It felt strange to think of it as mine. Stacks of documents surrounded my desk. Dr. Chen had provided the medical reports. I could barely force myself to scan the clinical descriptions of what Nadia had endured. Each word felt like a fresh wound.

As I organized the evidence of Kane's violations of werewolf law, my phone rang. Jessie's name flashed on the screen, and I realized with a pang of guilt that I hadn't checked on her since the wedding two weeks ago.

"Skye!" Her cheerful voice immediately eased some of the tension I'd been carrying. "How are you feeling? You disappeared so suddenly that night!"

"I'm fine," I replied, grateful that Kane's memory manipulation had spared her the trauma of that evening. "How's your head? That was quite a fall you took."

"All healed up now," she laughed. "And guess what? Jake and I are trying for a baby! He's so excited at the thought of being a dad."

Relief washed over me. At least in Jessie's memory, her wedding had remained perfect—untainted by the violence and terror that had actually unfolded.

"That's wonderful news, Jessie. I'm so happy for you both."

Buck's voice suddenly came through the phone. "Skye? Is that you, darlin'? I've been worried sick! Your boyfriend came looking for you a couple weeks back. You doing alright?"

"Boyfriend?" I asked, momentarily confused.

"That tall, dark-haired fella. Adrian? He seemed real concerned when he couldn't reach you."

Understanding dawned. "Oh, Buck. He's not my boyfriend. We work together."

I heard Buck chuckle. "Well, he sure acted like more than a coworker, sweetheart. The way he talked about you, the worry in his eyes—that man cares about you. And if you ask me, he's a whole lot better than those bar flies who used to hit on you. You should give him a chance."

After saying goodbye to Buck and Jessie, I remained at my desk, staring at the evidence files while his words echoed in my mind. Adrian cared about me—that much was obvious. But since Nadia's death, something had shifted inside me.

Before, when Nadia was alive and constantly warning me away from Adrian, I had been able to dismiss my feelings or at least keep them manageable. Now, with her gone and her final wishes resting on my shoulders, the idea of pursuing anything romantic with Adrian felt like a betrayal.

Take care of him, she had asked. Be the Beta he needs.

How could I be what he needed professionally if I was constantly battling personal feelings? How could I honor Nadia's memory while occupying two roles in Adrian's life—both his Beta and his... what? Lover? Partner?

The thought felt like stealing something that shouldn't be mine, like a fundamental betrayal of everything Nadia had sacrificed.

No. It was time to bury these feelings once and for all. Adrian needed a Beta who could serve him without the complication of romantic attachment. He needed what Nadia had been—loyal, strong, and uncompromised by personal desire.

I closed the file folders with a decisive snap, my resolution settling over me like armor. Whatever Adrian faced in the Alpha King election, whatever challenges came our way, I would stand beside him as his Beta—nothing more, nothing less.

Nadia's ghost deserved at least that much respect.