Crowned by Fate (Skye) novel Chapter 41

Chapter 41

Adrian’s POV

I studied Skye’s face carefully as I–delivered the news about Leon. Her initial flash of surprise quickly gave way to a practiced calm.

“Oh, I see,” she said, her voice impressively steady. “That’s not surprising. Becoming Alpha King has always been his dream. She paused briefly before adding, “I assume he’s found a strong Luna by now.”

The casual way she referenced her former mate’s potential new partner struck me as deliberate. I recognized the tactic; I’d employed it myself many times.

I just thought you should know,” I explained, “given your previous connection to Frostshadow Pack.”

Skye straightened her shoulders almost imperceptibly. “Since I’ve joined Oasisborn, Frostshadow has nothing to do with me anymore. Her gaze met mine directly, unwavering. “As for Alpha Leon, he and I ceased having any connection to each other long ago.”

The quiet confidence in her voice impressed me. In the weeks since she’d joined our pack, I’d witnessed her transformation from a cautious lone wolf to someone who carried herself with increasing purpose and belonging.

The silver–haired woman before me now bore little resemblance to the frightened bartender we’d found in that desert town.

I moved closer, unable to stop myself from posing the question that had been weighing on my mind. “What if I were to enter the Alpha King election as well? If I had to compete against Alpha Leon, then…”

I let the question hang incomplete between us.

Skye answered without hesitation. “You’re my Alpha now. I would stand with you.”

Her words warmed me. She had proven my trust in her was not misplaced.

Nadia had warned me about Skye’s letters to her family. “Check what she’s writing,‘ she had urged. “Make sure she’s not planning to betray us or feeding information to Frostshadow.”

But I had refused. Trust wasn’t something to be parceled out conditionally–it had to be given freely if it was to mean anything at all. And now, Skye had proven my instincts correct.

“Thank you,” I said, moving closer still. “Your loyalty means a great deal to me.”

The council chamber suddenly felt smaller, more intimate. The desert moonlight filtered through the windows, catching in Skye’s silver hair. Without thinking, I reached out, letting my fingers brush lightly against those metallic strands.

Skye’s breath caught audibly, her eyes widening slightly at the contact. The scent of her–subtle yet distinctive, like fresh snow–intensified with her quickened pulse. Something primal stirred within me, urging me to close the remaining distance between us, to claim those softly parted lips with my own.

I leaned forward, unable to resist. For weeks I had kept my distance. Now, with her silver hair between my fingers and her eyes on mine, those boundaries didn’t matter anymore.

The shrill ring of a phone shattered the moment.

Skye jumped back as if burned, fumbling in her pocket for her phone. As she turned away to answer it, I caught myself, suddenly aware of how close I’d come to crossing a line I’d promised myself I wouldn’t approach.

“Hello?” Skye’s voice was slightly breathless. “Oh, Ryder… Yes, I’m just finishing up… The council meeting? It’s over… Yes, I can meet you there… Okay, see

you soon.

She ended the call, turning back to me with a flush coloring her cheeks. “I’m sorry, Alpha Adrian. That was Ryder. He… he’s waiting for me. May I be

excused?”

The formality in her tone—the careful use of my title–served as a pointed reminder of our positions. Whatever moment we’d just shared had evaporated, replaced by the proper distance between an Alpha and his pack member.

1/2

Chapter 41

“Of course, I nodded, stepping back to physically reinforce the boundary she’d just verbally established. Thank you for staying behind.

With a quick nod, Skye hurried from the council chamber, the door closing behind her with a soft click that somehow felt deafening in the sudden emptiness

of the room.

Verify captcha to read the contentVerify