Chapter 185
As soon as Elder Selene hung up, the line went dead with a shop click, Adrian lowered the phone slowly, his jaw tight.
at op last, the havel the slipping slightly from my shoulder. “Addilan, we still have time. If we book the next flight now, we can make it back before the
He shook his head, not looking at me right away. His eyes weir fhed us the wall like he was trying to burn a hole through it. “Victor works for the North American Council. He kidnapped you. That means the Council has blood on their hands ion. They don’t get to brush this off like it’s nothing”
I could argue, his phone butted again. He checked the screen. “It’s Xavier.”
He picked up
“Adrian!” Xavier’s voice was upbeat. “Lydia told me Skye’s safe. Is that true
I leaned toward the phone. “Ya.”
Adrian, glanced at me, bis expression softening. “Actually, it wasn’t me who saved her. She escaped on her own.”
There was a pause, then Xavier’s voice came back loud and impressed. “No way! That’s incredible! Skye, you have to tell me everything when you’re back.”
|||| I smiled, but Adrian’s face had already hardened again.
Xavier continued, “So… the final trial’s tomorrow. Did you book your flight yet?”
Adrian answered without hesitation. “I’m not leaving Port Artemis until Victor is caught.”
“What?” Xavier sounded like he couldn’t believe what he just heard. “Can’t that wait? Just until the trial’s over?”
“No,” Adrian said. “That bastard nearly killed her. I won’t give him a single day of freedom.”
There was silence for a second. Then Adrian sat up straighter. “Actually… I need your help.”
“I’m listening.”
“I tried to get the trial delayed, but Selene wouldn’t budge. I want you to talk to her. Help me convince her. You know how to deal with the Council”
Xavier didn’t even hesitate. “I’m in. This isn’t just about you and Skye. The Council dropped the ball here.”
When Adrian ended the call, he stood and turned to me
“You should get some rest. I need to send an email to the Council and the Alpha King. If they won’t delay the trial, we’ll take it public. We’ll file a formal complaint and leak everything to the media. Poor hiring standards, no background checks, zero security. Let the whole werewolf community see what kind of mess they let walk through their doors.”
I nodded, but rest wasn’t on my mind.
I curled up on the couch, a tray of food in front of me–hotel room service: grilled chicken, mashed potatoes, steamed broccoli, and a warm buttered roll. A small bowl of fruit sat to the side.
I picked at the chicken, stealing glances at Adrian, who sat hunched at the desk, typing nonstop. The glow from the laptop lit up the sharp lines of his face. His brows were drawn together, lips pressed into a tight line.
He paused once to read something, then resumed typing even faster.
I chewed slowly, the food warm and good, but not enough to distract me from the temion that Gilled the room. The minutes dragged.
1/2
Chapter 185
He matched it lip, Thhi la Milan.”
Klärt Selenen inke crackled through the speaker, sharper than ever.
“Alpha Adrian. After discussion with the other Elders, we’ve decided to grant a delay. Three days. That’s the most you’ll get. This is a rare exception, In retum, I expect you to drop all threats and complaints.”
1 jumped up from the rouch and leaned in toward the phone. “Really? Thank you!”
There was a pose on the other end. “Is that Beta Skye? You sound… lively. Didn’t seem like a near–death situation to me.” Her tone was dry. “You two are young. You like to make a bass over everything.”
My smile frame.
Adrian’s face darkened, “So what? We have to wait until someone dies before you take your responsibilities seriously? You hired Victor. He was under your rool. You didn’t screen him didn’t notice the signs, didn’t protect her. That’s not a “Tans.” That’s a failure.”
I reached out and touched his arm. “Adrian. It’s okay.”
I took the phone from him before he could say anything else. “Elder Selene, we appreciate the extension. We’ll be there on time, in three d for helping us
She sniffed. “Just make sure it’s worth it.”
Then the line went dead again.
I turned back to Adrian and threw my arms around his neck. “We did it!” I kissed his cheek, then smiled against his skin…
me, pulling me closer. He lifted me off the ground and carried me back toward the bed.
His arms wrapped tightly around me, pullit
my car. “That’s all I get?”
“One kiss?” he murmured near my ear.
I laughed, but it caught in my throat when I saw the way he was looking at me.
“Adrian____*__
His eyes were dark, warm, full of something that made my heart skip.
“I’ll be gentle,” he said softly. “Let me make it up to you.”
Then, slowly, Adrian untied my robe.
days. Thank you
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