Crowned by Fate (Skye) novel Chapter 117

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Chapter 117

Adrian’s arm remained firmly send my waist as we swam toward the shore where Ryder and Lydia waited terious expressions.

“Thirty seconds remaining Elder Selene anniminced, her voice carrying across the water.

Adrian summoned his remaining strength and propelled us forward with powerful kicks. As we reached the shallows, Ryder rushed in, helping ding te onda dry land just as the final countdown began.

Thu.. nine… right…

Adrian fumbled with his wetsuit, extracting the gold coin and raising in triumphantly as his chest heaved with exertion.

Three…two on The Trial of Strength is completel

Elder Selene stepped forward, her white robes billowing in the breeze. “Candidates who have successfully retried a coin, please present them the

I collapsed onto the grass, coughing up lake water as lydia knelt beside me, draping a blanket over my shoulders. What were you thinking?” the hissed, though concern softened her rebuke. You could have drowned!”

“I don’t know what I was thinking.” I replied, my voice still raspy from the lake water. “I was just so worried about him. My gaze followed Adrian as he joined the line of successful candidates.

A commotion near the verification table drew everyone’s attention. Leon stood before the Council Elders, his expression cool and composed as he placed not one, but five golden coins in front of them. Shocked whispers spread through the crowd.

“Five coins?” Ryder muttered beside me. “How is that even possible?”

Eider Selene examined the coins carefully before addressing the gathered crowd. “Alpha Leon of Frostshadow Pack has presented five coins. According to rules, while each candidate needed only one coin to advance, there was no limit set on how many could be retrieved.”

Another Alpha, a broad–shouldered man with copper skin and intricate tribal tattoos, stepped forward. “Alpha Rodrigo of Ironwater Pack,” Elder Selene announced, “The first to surface with a coin, advancing to the next trial.”

My attention returned to Adilan as he presented his single coin. Though his achievement should have been celebrated, I noticed how Leon’s unprecedented haul had stolen most of the attention.

Only twenty Alphas had successfully completed the trial. Elder Selene s face grew somber as she addressed the remaining candidates. Two Alphas have lost their lives in pursuit of the crown. Twenty others failed to retrieve coins within the allotted time and are thus eliminated from the competition.‘

Her p

pronouncement seemed callous, two deaths treated as mere statistics rather than lives lost. But nobody else appeared troubled by this. The remaining candidates nodded solemnly, accepting the dangers as part of their chosen path.

“The second trial will commence one week from today,” Elder Selene continued. “Use this time wisely to recover your strength and prepare yourselves. The Trial of Wisdom will test not just the candidate, but the entire pack.”

As the ceremony concluded, I noticed a group of female werewolves gathering near Alpha Rodrigo, wearing matching shirts with his name emblazoned across them. They cheered and performed a choreographed dance routine that drew appreciative whistles from onlookers.

Not to be outdone, another group wearing Leon’s pack colors assembled nearby, their routine considerably more provocative.

“Looks like the Alpha King candidates already have fan clubs,” Lydia remarked dryly.

I glanced at Lydia and noticed her gaze lingering on Alpha Rodrigs. There was an odd expression on her face–something between recognition and unease Her fingers tightened slightly on the blanket she’d wrapped around my shoulder

“You recognize that Alpha?” I asked, curious about her reaction.

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Chapter 117

Alpha, Bát something in her manner made me wonder if she was telling the truth.

“They more quickly, I noted, unable to keep the distante from my yoire as I watched the women fawning iner Lein. I knew it shouldn’t nothing to me anymore, yet the right still caused an uncomfortable twist in my chelt.

The town transformed as night fell, streets filling with celebrating werewolves, Music poured from every bar and restaurant, the almosphere eledile wil extent. Nobody seemed to spare a thought for the two Alphas who would never return to their pačky,

We made our way to a small pih several blocks from the main festivities, seeking a quieter place to decompress after the day’s events. Adrian had changed into dry clothes, but I noticed he moved stiffly, wincing slightly when he thunght no one was watching.

“Alpha Adriant” a familiar voice called as we entered the establishment. Xavier waved from a corner booth, his signature white attire somehow immaculate despite the day’s challenges. “Join me! I’ve been waiting for you.”

As we approached, Xavier stood and clasped Adrian’s forearm is a warrior a greeting. “I owe you my life, friend. If not for you, I be one of the cities they’re so casually dismissing

Adrian shook his head modestly. “You would have done the same.

“Not everyone would.” Xavier replied, his usual carefree demeanor replaced by something more serious. That bastard Leon certainly wouldn’t.”

We settled into the booth as Xavier ordered drinks for everyone. Once the server departed, his expression darkened.

“I still can’t believe what he did down there,” Xavier continued, his voice low with anger. “What kind of Alpha Meals from his fellow wolves when they’re fighting for their lives?”

I leaned forward, curiosity burning. “What exactly happened underwater? The cameras went out for nearly twenty minutes.”

Xavier took a long sip of his drink before answering. “We’d all reached the central chamber, grabbed our coins, and were preparing to leave when the four Direwolves converged on the only exit. We were trapped.”

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