Chapter 192
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86
Skye’s POV
‘You’re the one who made the mistake, not your mother. She’s innocent in all this,” Adrian said, pausing briefly before sighing. I’ll find the best doctors for her. There might still be a chance she could wake up… although I’m not sure waking up would be a good thing for her. She probably wouldn’t want to see what you’ve become.”
Victor gave a bitter smile, “Thank you.”
“Ryder, you and Beck take him to the Federal Werewolf Penitentiary,” Adrian instructed.
Skye and I turned toward the door, ready to leave the storage room behind us. The chains around Victor’s wrists clinked as he suddenly straightened, his eyes locking onto us.
“Wait,” Victor’s voice cracked slightly. His shoulders tensed as he leaned forward. “I need to know one last thing. His expression shifted, vulnerability replacing the earlier defiance. “Nadia… what really happened to her? How did she die?”
His question silenced everyone in the room. I glanced at Ryder and Adrian, who both lowered their heads. I parted my lips but couldn’t find the right words. The memory of Nadia’s death flashed through my mind, raw and painful despite the time that had passed.
That strange feeling of guilt and unease washed over me again. It always did when I thought about Nadia. She had given so much to our pack, to Adrian, and ultimately paid the highest price.
Seeing our prolonged silence, Victor’s eyes dimmed. “Never mind. She’s gone now. Nothing matters anymore.”
Everything seemed settled at last. Adrian and I booked flights back to Silvercrest Mountain, but neither of us could feel happy about it. The confrontation with Victor had reopened old wounds and created new ones.
While waiting for our flight at the airport, we sat in a secluded corner by the windows. Adrian held my hand tightly, his thumb tracing small circles on my skin. Outside, planes took off into the fading afternoon sky, people rushed to their destinations, all unaware of the werewolf drama unfolding in their midst.
“I thought he looked familiar during the second trial,” Adrian said, his voice low enough that only I could hear. “I never imagined he was Nadia’s mate. But Nadia never mentioned having a mate to me.”
I leaned closer to him, our shoulders touching. “When Nadia and I attended that wedding, I asked if she’d ever had a mate. I remember she said no.” I hesitated, choosing my words carefully. “I think… it was because of you.”
Adrian’s jaw tightened. “I always knew how Nadia felt about me,” he admitted. “I just… didn’t want to face it. I should have talked to her properly about it.”
The overhead announcement called another flight, momentarily drowning out our conversation. When it quieted again, Adrian turned to me, vulnerability showing in his eyes.
“I’ve always believed my decisions and choices were right. Now, I’m not so sure anymore.” His voice carried the weight of someone questioning their entire life’s path.
I leaned against his chest, feeling his heartbeat. “You’ve done the best you could. No one can be perfect. This isn’t your fault.”
Adrian wrapped his arm around me but fell silent, lost in his thoughts. I knew he was replaying events in his mind, looking for moments
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Chapter 192
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where different choices might have led to different outcomes. It was a futile exercise, but one we all indulge in during moments of doubt,
The final trial would begin soon, and I worried that Adrian was falling into self–doubt and guilt at the worst possible time. He needed his confidence and clarity to face what was coming. The Alpha King election was still the priority, and Adrian remained our best hope for creating the kind of werewolf society we all needed.
By the time we returned to Silvercrest Mountain, night had fallen. The small town looked different now, more crowded than when we’d first arrived. Banners announcing the final Alpha King trial hung from streetlights, and there was an electric energy in the air.
We took a taxi to our small hotel, but before we could reach it, the car was blocked by a crowd of people gathered outside the entrance.
The driver honked several times, but the crowd outside the hotel showed no sign of dispersing. They were mostly young women, some holding signs and cameras.
“Sorry about this,” the driver said, looking annoyed. “It’s been like this all month.”
I poked my head out the window to look. Most of them appeared to be young women in stylish clothes, looking excited and expectant.
“Probably Alpha Xavier’s fans,” I guessed.
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