Chapter 128
The rebed man slowly walked in the wall and pulled the lever un chains brem in slide pand the donnery, carrying at sap
As our fret troched solid ground, I immediately went to bolias tide, steadying her with a roppantiar
“Are yes hurt?” I asked, noticing how she cradled one hand against her chest.
She shook her head, the feathers on bei mask rustling softly with the movement. “
Just some minor abrasions from gripping the chain in tightly”
“I’m fine,” the assured me, opening her palm to reveal cre
Satisfied that her injuries werent setions, I turned my attention back to the group. As we moved further from the abyss to complete safety, Footiced Ryderc expression remained puzzled.
“Alpha Adrian, why did we win?” he asked, confusion evident in his voice. He never actually answered Tee. How could you be so nume
Before I could respond, Skye reached over and lightly
by smacked the back of Ryder’s head.
1 never realized you were this slow!” she exclaimed, shaking her head in mock exasperation. Think about what Adrian jot asked him
Ryder’s brow furrowed as he tried to work through the logic. “He asked……. If my third question were to ask whether you would pull the lever, would your answer match your answer to this second question?”
Skyr nodded encouragingly. Exactly. Now think about it. If the man had answered No to that question, then when Adnan asked the third question you pull the lever–the man would have to answer…
“Yes 7: Ryder ventured hesitantly.
“Exactly!” Skye’s eyes lit up with approval. “Because his answers couldn’t match. And if he had answered Yes to Adrians second question, then when Adrian asked “Will you pull the lever? as the third question, the man would again have to answer…”
to match!
“Yes,” Ryder repeated, understanding finally dawning on his face. Because the answers would have to m
“So no matter what he answered to the second question, he’d have to say Yes to pulling the lever for the third question, Skye concluded. “Adrian trapped him in a logical paradox where saying No to helping us became impossible.”
I watched Skye with admiration as she patiently explained the puzzle to Ryder. Her intelligence, coupled with her natural teaching ability, only strengthened my resolve to make her my mate permanently once the election was over.
“Alpha Adrian,” Ryder turned to me, eyes wide with astonishment, “how did you come up with that solution so quickly?”
I suppressed a smile at his youthful wonder. “When time is limited and lives are at stake, you leam to think efficiently.” I replied. Though perhaps when this election is over, you should consider supplementing your physical training with some time at a human university. Logic and philosophy might serve you
The robed man approached us as our chains deposited as safely on solid ground. “Congratulations on passing this phase of the trial,” he said, genuine respect in his voice. “Very few candidates solve the paradox on their first attempt. The second round of team competition will commence at 2 PM thin afternoon.” He gestured toward a corridor. “For now, let me escort you to lunch. You’ve earned some rest before the next challenge.”
As we followed him through the stone hallways, I gought Skye’s eye. The pride in her gaze warmed me more than any victory ever could.
Skye’s POV
The dining hall was notably less crowded than it had been this morning, confirming my suspicions that many teams had failed the first phase of the trial. I scanned the room anxiously, searching for Ethan’s familiar face among the remaining competitors.
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Chapter 128
My gaze locked with Leen’s actos the com, but he quickly looked andy, bla rald Ishar but Ethan was nowhere to be seen. My stomach tightened with wony
deliberately avoiding mine. the appeared enharmed From Nic trial,
Without access to om phones during the competition, I had no way to contact my hierher. A sense of snease settled mer me at i med to Adnan
I don’t see Ethan anywhere,” I skil, unable to hide my concern. I want to ask Leon what happened Maste th
Adrian’s amber mos flicked toward tren, his expression hardening slightly. Il come
you,” he offered, already rising from his seat
“No,” I placed my hand on his arm. I don’t want to create any tension between ymt two. 111 joot ask a quick question and roma
After a moment’s hesitation, Adrian nodded, though I emild see he wasn’t entirely comfortable with the idea.
I had barely taken three steps toward Leon’s table when Mays intercepted me, becking my path with as crised mer her chest
“What do you think you’re doing?” she bissed, her voice low. “You promised me you wouldnt approach Leon to him diely Remember deal
“I’m not trying to talk to Leon,” I whispered urgently. “Wheres Ethan? Why isn’t he here?!
Maya’s expression softened slightly at the milon of my brother. He was injured during the trial, the explained 1 be taking his place in this afternoon team competition.”
My anxiety spiked. I grabbed Maya’s arm, fingers digging into her flesh. “How bad is it? What happened to him?”
“Let go!” Maya wrenched her arm from my grasp, rubbing the spot where I’d held her, “When did you get so strong?” She glared at me before continuing. 1 don’t know exactly what happened. Warriors get injured all the time in these competitions, You should worry more about yourself and your Alpha.
Her words jolted me back to her earlier warning about someone plotting to eliminate Adrian during today’s trial. The team competition would provide the perfect opportunity for such an attempt.
“Maya,” I said, lowering my voice further, “please take care of Ethan for me. Make sure he’s okay.”
She rolled her eyes, but I caught a flicker of sympathy beneath her usual hostility. “Of course I will. I hate you, not your brother.”
I returned to our table, my mind heavy with concerns about both Ethan and the potential threat to Adrian. Lost in thought, I barely noticed when Adrian lifted a spoonful of creamy mushroom soup to my lips.
“You need to eat,” he said gently. “Keep your strength up for this afternoon.”
I blushed, not used to such public displays of affection from him. “I can feed myself, I mumbled, though I didn’t pull away.
“Don’t overthink things. Adrian whatever comes next.
said, his voice low enough that only I could hear. “Ethan will be fine. Right now, we need to focus on preparing ourselves for
I nodded solemnly, taking a large gulp of the rich soup. Whatever challenges awaited us in the afternoon competition, we would face them together–and we would be ready for any attempt on Adrian’s life.
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Jamie
the deal was for no physical intimacy, since I’m petty I’d totally eat the food Adrian fed me, right in front of Leon. any little acts of love and caring I’d eat up and play into right…
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