Chapter 45
Skye’s POV
As I pushed open the orphanage door, preparing to step into the cool desert evening, I froze in place. Adrian stand waiting cottide, kis tall fie silhouetted against the setting sun.
“Alpha Adrian,
My heartbeat quickened despite my attempts to remain composed. After the events of the previous night and this mornings punishment, i wasn’t sure what to expect.
“Why did you push yourself unnecessarily?” he asked, skipping any preamble.
I blinked, momentarily confused by his directness. “I’m sorry?‘
“Ryder told me you completed all five hundred push–ups,” he clarified. “I specifically said one hundred was enough for you.”
“I didn’t think it would be fair otherwise, I explained, squaring my shoulders despite the protest of my aching muscles. Ryder and Nadia had to do the full punishment. Why should I receive special treatment just because I’m new to the pack?”
Adrian’s expression softened slightly, something like respect flickering in his eyes. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small glass vial filled with amber liquid.
“Here,” he said, extending it toward me. “It’s a special herbal oil that helps with muscle soreness. Rub it into your shoulders and arms before sleeping.”
I stared at the vial, touched by his thoughtfulness.
My fingers trembled slightly as I reached for the oil, careful not to let our hands touch.
“Thank you,” I murmured, quickly tucking the vial into my pocket.
“Come on,” Adrian said, gesturing toward the path leading away from the orphanage. “I’ll walk you home.”
This time, I didn’t refuse his offer. We fell into step beside each other, the desert twilight painting the landscape in shades of purple and gold. Several pack members nodded respectfully as we passed, their curious glances suggesting they’d heard about last night’s events at the tavern.
‘I should thank you properly,” I said after we’d walked in silence for several minutes. “For taking me home last night. It was irresponsible of me to drink that wolf liquor.”
Adrian kept his gaze fixed ahead. “You didn’t know how strong it would be. Most newly shifted wolves don’t.”
I hesitated before asking the question that had been plaguing me all day. “Did you… was it you who changed my clothes?”
He glanced at me, one eyebrow raised. “Yes. Is that a problem?”
“No! No, of course not,” I hurried to assure him, heat rushing to my cheeks. “I just… I wanted to thank you for taking care of me.”
A hint of amusement crossed his face. “Why are you so shy about it? We’ve done more intimate things than that already.”
My mind immediately flashed to that day at the lake when I’d first shifted – his naked form emerging from the water after his transformation, his strong arms supporting me as I struggled with the pain of my own shift.
‘I suppose you’re right,” I admitted. “It just feels different somehow.”
‘Exposing vulnerability is more intimate than exposing your body,” Adrian said softly, his words catching me off guard. “The night you joined our pack – sharing your story, trusting us with your past, allowing yourself to belong somewhere again after years alone – that was our most intimate moment.”
When we reached my apartment building, I paused at the entrance, turning to face him. Something about his insight, about the way he’d cared for me not just physically but emotionally, made me reluctant to end our conversation.
1/3
Chapter 45
“Would you like to stay for dinner? 1 asked impulsively, surprising myself with the invitation.
Adrian’s expression brightened, a flicker of genuine pleasure crossing his face before he nodded. Id like that very much
Once inside my apartment, I moved to the kitchen with newfound energy despite my aching muscles. Fair warning–Ive picked up all sorts of car cooking skills during my three years of wandering. I said, opening my refrigerator to survey its contents. I’m particularly foul of Spanish cuisine pre de you feel about paella?
“Sounds perfect, Adrian replied, shrugging off his jacket and draping it over a chair. ‘Can I help?‘
“You cook?” I couldn’t hide my surprise.
A smile tugged at his lips. I make a decent dessert, if you’re interested.”
An Alpha who bakes?” I laughed, the sound coming easier than it had in weeks. “That’s unexpected.”
“My mother taught me when I was young, Adrian explained, rolling up his sleeves. She loved baking. But my father eventually put a stop to it – said it wasn’t masculine enough for his son and heir.” A shadow passed over his features momentarily. “After that, we had to bake in secret.”
I handed him a knife and cutting board. “Cooking doesn’t diminish masculinity at all,” I said firmly, meeting his gaze. From what I’ve observed in human society, women actually find men who can cook quite attractive. Times have changed.”
As we worked side by side in my small kitchen, the awkwardness that had lingered between us for weeks gradually melted away.
Adrian moved with surprising grace in the domestic setting, his strong hands handling delicate pastry with unexpected gentleness.
We talked easily about inconsequential things – favorite foods, childhood memories, the antics of the orphanage children.
The paella turned out beautifully golden and fragrant, while Adrian’s simple apple tart filled the apartment with the warm scent of cinnamon. We ate at my small table, our conversation flowing naturally from topic to topic, the earlier tension between us completely dissolved.
“You know,” I said, taking a sip of water, “the children at the orphanage can be quite mischievous. Just yesterday, little Max – he’s only six – decided he wanted to be a wolf like us.”
Adrian raised an eyebrow, his interest piqued. “Oh? What did he do?”
“He found some old fur from a costume in the storage closet and glued it all over his arms and face,” I explained, barely containing my laughter at the memory. “When Venus found him, he was howling at a picture of the moon he’d drawn and stuck to the ceiling. But the best part was when she tried to clean him up the glue he used was some kind of industrial strength adhesive he’d found in the maintenance room!”
Adrian’s eyes widened. “No…”
“Yes! Poor Venus had to call the pack doctor, who recommended olive oil to dissolve the glue. By the end of it, Max smelled like a salad and kept complaining that the other kids were trying to eat him during naptime!”
Adrian burst into laughter, a deep, genuine sound that I’d rarely heard from him. His eyes crinkled at the corners, his usual stern demeanor completely vanished. I found myself mesmerized by this unguarded version of him, his head thrown back in amusement, shoulders shaking.
Just as his laughter was reaching its peak, a sharp, urgent knock at the door made us both freeze.
Adrian’s expression immediately shifted back to alertness, his Alpha instincts taking over. He rose from his chair, gesturing for me to stay seated.
“Were you expecting anyone?‘ he asked quietly, all traces of humor gone from his voice.
I shook my head, suddenly tense. “No one.”
The knocking came again, more insistent this time.
ག་རབ་རྒྱ་
2/3
Crowned by Fate
Chapter 46
