Skye’s POV

bA /b

b“/bThe bfinal /bbtrial’s /btomorrowb, /bAdrian. We’re running out of time. Can’t we deal with Victor after it’s overb?/bb” /b

Adrian’s jaw tightened, his eyes dark with resolve. “No, Skye. We can’t let Victor slip away. If we don’t catch him now, he’ll disappearb, /band bas /blong bas /bhe’s out there, he’s a threat to you. I won’t risk your safety again.”

“But-b” /b

He cut me off, his bvoice /blow but heavy with guilt. “When you got hurt in the second trial, I should’ve paid more attention. I was bso /bfocused on the election I missed the danger right in front of me. That’s how Victor got to you. I won’t make that mistake again.”

The care in his voiceb, /bthe way he med himself–it warmed me in a way I couldn’t exin. But I didn’t want him to carry that weight, not when the whole pack was counting on him. We’d fought too hard to reach the final trial.

“What about tomorrow?b” /bI asked. “The trial’s a big deal. You can’t just—”

“I’ll call Elder Selene,” he said, his tone steady. “I’ll ask to push the trial back. Right now, you need rest. A hot shower, some food, a real bed. That’s what matters.b” /b

I caught a whiff of myself and wrinkled my nose.

“Yeah, I do kinda stink.”

Ryder, leaning against the wall, chuckled. “Alpha, you take Skye to a hotel. I’ll handle Victor. I’ll track that bastard down in the next 24 hours, I swear.”

Beck stepped up, thumping his chest. “I’m in too. Consider it a wee gift from us rogues to Oasisborn. I’ve been in Port Artemis for almost a year. I know every corner of this ce like the back of my hand.”

“Good. Ryder, I’ll have Garrett help you. He can pull every security feed in the city.”

With that, Ryder and Beck took off with the others, splitting up to start their hunt. Adrian and I headed for a hotel.

We found a quiet ce a few miles away, nothing fancy but clean.

As soon as bwe /bstepped into the room, Adrian’s eyes softened with concern. “You’re not fine, Skye. I know you’re hurt bad. Let me check you over.”

“Just a few broken bonesst night, but they’re mostly healed nowi./ii” /i

Before I could protest, he scooped me up, carrying me to the bathroom like I weighed nothing.

“Don’t argue,” he said, his voice gentle but firm. “Just let me take care of you. Those injuries? They’re on me. I should’ve been there,”

I didn’t fight him. The truth was, I was exhausted..

b11:28 /bbSat/bb, /bbOct /bb4 /b

0903

In the bathroom, he set me down on the edge of the tub and turned on the shower, letting the steam fill the small bspace/b.

He peeled bthe /bfabric away slowly, his touch careful but deliberate, like he was afraid I’d break. His fingers grazed my skin, sending bsparks /bfn536e Newest update provided by find?novel/fn536e

through me. My breath hitched as he traced the bruises along my ribsb, /bhis jaw tightening with every mark he found.

“God, Skye,” he murmured, “Look at you.b” /b

2

He stood, helping me to my feet, and guided me into the shower. The hot water hit my skin, soothing the aches but doing nothing bto /bbcalm /bbthe /bheat building inside me.

Adrian stayed close, his hands steady as hethered a cloth with soap. He moved slowly, washing the grime from my shoulders, bmy /bbarms/b, his touch firm but gentle. Every brush of his fingers against my skin made my pulse race.

“You’re safe now,b” /bbhe /bsaid, his voice a low rumble that vibrated through me. His hands slid down my backb, /bcareful around the tender spots, but the way his fingers pressed into my skin felt like more than just care. It was intimate, electric.

My body responded before my mind could catch up, a flush spreading from my face down my neck.

He noticed. His eyes darkened, but he didn’t pull away. Instead, he leaned closer, his breath warm against my ear as he washed my hair, his fingers threading through the strands. The sensation made me dizzy, desire curling tight in my stomach. I wanted to lean into himb, to /bclose the small distance between us, but I stayed still, letting the moment stretch.

When the water ran clear, he turned off the shower and grabbed a towel, wrapping it around me. His hands lingered, drying my skin with slow, deliberate strokes. Every touch felt like a promiseb, /blike he was trying to erase every bruise, every second of fear. My heart pounded, and I knew he could hear it.

“I’m gonna put a hundred holes in Victor for this,” he growled.

I reached out, touching his cheek. “Adrian, stop. I’m okay now. Because of you.”

He looked up, his eyes softening, though the anger still lingered. He stood, gently pulling me into his arms, and whispered, “I was bso /bscared, Skye. I was terrified of losing you.”

I ran my fingers through his slightly curly hair. “You need to call Elder Selene. About the trial.”

He sighed, stepping back to grab his phone. I sat on the edge of the bed, pulling the robe tighter as he dialed.

“Elder Selene, it’s Adrian. I need to request a dy for the final trial. We’ve had an emergency–Skye was attacked, and we’re dealing with the threat now.”

I couldn’t hear her response, but Adrian’s face hardened. He listened for a long moment, then pinched the bridge of his nose. b“/bI understand, but—”

She cut him off, I could hear her voice nowb, /bsharp and unyielding.

“Are you joking? That’s impossible! If you’re not there tomorrow, you’re out. No exceptionsb./b”

b11:28 /bbSat/bb, /bbOct /bb4 /b

Crowned by Fate