Chapter 169
Skyr’s POV
Leaving Morgan’s teor I caught Adilan’s sims and gently reminded him, “We have dinner with your
Adrian tan a hand through his hair and let out a long sigh. The tension from the encounter with Morgan and Carpet clearly still weighed on kim
Hrs actually a little nervous.” I admitted as up
as we walked down the hotel corridor. “I dont know if your mother likes me
Adrian tumed to me, his amber eyes softening. “Whether the likes
kes you or not doesn’t matte
I know, but I still hope we can get everyone blessing I hit my lip, thinking about how my own fa (had reacted in my choices. Tamily support means something, even in our complicated world-
Adrian pulled me closer. Don’t worry, No one can help but like you.” He kissed my forehead gently. Trust me on thi
That evening, we met Adrian’s mother at what was supposedly the best restaurant in town. The place screamed elegance with its crystal chandeliers and white tablecloths, Lillian was already seated when we arrived, her posture perfect as she sipped her water.
Unlike my mother who could talk enough for three peuple, Adrian’s mother had a quiet, dignified air about her. Her amber eyes and straight nose had clearly been passed down to Adrian.
What I hadn’t expected was
vas het directness. After we’d barely ordered drinks, she looked straight at Adrian and asked, “Will you make Skye your mate?”
I nearly choked on my water, and Adrian looked momentarily caught off guard. But he recovered quickly, his vode unwavering.
“Yes, I am certain.” Adrian said, squeezing my hand tightly.
Lillian then turned her penetrating gaze to me. “And you, skye? Are you certain about choosing Adrian as your mate? I heard Alpha Leon is actually your
I took a deep breath, aware of the weight behind this question. Though I was still Leon’s mate, I was absolutely certain that I chose Adrian. I nodded with conviction
Sies, I am.”
Lillians expression softened, the lines around her mouth relaxing slightly. Tm not trying to interfere in your personal matters,” she said, focusing on her wine glass. “It just that…” She paused, looking directly at Adrian, 1 don’t want you to repeat my mistakes.”
Adrian’s jaw tightened slightly. “Mother-”
“If I had been more decisive back then.” Lillian stopped herself, forcing a smile. “Today should be about celebrating your advancement in the trials. I shouldn’t bring up old wounds.”
The water arrived with our appetizers, providing a mumentary distraction. When he left seached for her phone, scrolling through something with i
frown creasing her forehead,
“I think there are some rumors you need to address,” she said, tuming the screen toward us. “People are talking.”
I leaned forward to look at what appeared to be a social media page titled “WolfWatch: Election Edition. The first post
“How Skye Anderson betrayed her true mate and her pack for power.”
Below it were hundreds of comments, each one worse than the last
“She betrayed Leon, turning her back on her destined mate. What kind of she wolf does that?
made
my stomach drop
“She’s nothing but a slut, toying with two Alphas at unce. Talk about hedging your
Two Alphas Pinase. I heard the’s been meting nimh with
My handh trembled at 1 spolled bother dam. There were photos pietimes I didn t even kome existed
Adrian with his arm around ing entering our hotel.
Leon kuuling me at the Hinguet when he was drunk
Even a blurry shot of me getting out of Alpha Xavier’s rat
All of it presented as evidence of my supposed promiscuity and manipulation.
This is ridiculous,” Adrian growled, his eyes flashing with anger as he looked over my shoulder.
King, the baromes (juers.
“Ridiculous or not, it’s spreading,” Lillion vid calmly, taking back her phone. These allegations could affect your standing in the election, Adria. The
question your indement if your potential Luna is seen at… morally compromised.”
I felt sick to my stomach. The restaurant suddenly seemed too hot, too crowded. Every whispered conversation at nearby tables felt like
ern,” he said, but I could see the
Adrian took my hand under the table, his grip Em and reassuring. “Anyone who believes this garbage it worth our concern. calculation in his eyes. He knew as well as I did that perception mattered in politics, especially wolf politics.
“How many people have seen this?” I asked
Lillian’s expression was sympathetic but practical. “Enough. It’s being shared in parks across the country.”
I stared at my untouched appetizer, appetite completely gone. After everything I’d been through–rejection, exile, finding a new place with Adrian—I was
being painted as some kind of calculating harlot using her body for political gain.
The worst part was knowing that some would believe it. After all, wasn’t it easier to believe I was a manipulative slut than to accept that I had found love after rejection?
