Chapter 204
Skye’s POV
The moment Adrian finished speaking, the crowd erupted into chaos. The peaceful ceremony transformed into a storm of voices and accusations.
Alpha Maxwell was the first to laugh, his voice dripping with rockery, “How interesting. Are you choosing love over power? Then why did you enter this election in the first place?
Alpha Rodrigo sneered, his face contorting with disdain. “If someone like him wins, it would be an insult to every Alpha participating in this election.”
The criticism quickly spread beyond the Alphas. Women in the crowd began targeting me with their vicious words:
“What kind of charm does that Skye girl hav
“Exactly. Making two Alphas lose their electio
anyway?”
qualifications over her.”
“Men are so blind. They always fall for the bitches.”
Their words sliced through me like claws. I never expected to become the center of public attention again. The whispers and glares made me want to disappear into the ground beneath me.
Adrian’s public declaration of love caught me completely off guard. I felt grateful and moved, but this was absolutely the worst possible timing. I looked at him and shook my head slightly, hoping he would understand my silent plea not to continue down this path.
I had already caused Leon to lose his chance at becoming Alpha King. If Adrian also lost his qualification because of me, I would become an enemy to countless people. I would never be able to forgive myself.
Lydia leaned close to my ear and whispered, “Ignore their nonsense. They know nothing.”
“Thank you,” I managed to reply, though I struggled to find any other words. My mind was a battleground of conflicting
emotions.
Lydia squeezed my arm reassuringly. “Whatever choice Alpha Adrian makes, I support him completely. And I will always support you too.”
Elder Selene clearly hadn’t anticipated this situation either. She called for order three times, her powerful voice echoing across the stone circle. “Quiet! Quiet! QUIET!”
The crowd gradually settled down, though the tension remained thick in the air. The moonlight cast long shadows across the ancient stone altar as everyone waited for what would happen next.
After the noise subsided, Adrian approached the priest with purposeful strides. “Do you have a dagger?” he asked calmly. The priest tilted his head, confusion evident even through his ceremonial mask. “Alpha Adrian, what do you in d to do?”
“As I said, I will not abandon the election midway,” Adrian replied, his voice steady and resolute. “But my sacrifice requires a dagger. Please have one prepared.”
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The priest nodded slowly and gestured to one of the attendant standing near the stone circle. Within moments, the attendant returned with a ceremonial dagger, Its silver blade gleaming in the firelight.
My Heart raced as I watched the scene unfold. I had no idea what Adrian planned to do, but a sense of foreboding crept through me.
Adrian took the dagger and walked toward the sacred fire. Without hesitation, he plunged the dagger into his chest.
Gasps and screams erupted from the crowd. The sacred grounds became a cacophony of shock and horros People jumped to their feet, some covering their mouths, others pointing in disbelief.
Blood made Adrian’s deep blue ceremonial shirt grow darker. His face remained calm despite the pain that must have been tearing through him. Droplets of blood fell to the ancient stone beneath his feet.
“Adrian!” I screamed, leaping from my
path, grabbing my arms.
seat and rushing toward the stone circle. An attendant quickly moved to block my
“Let me go!” I struggled against his grip, trying to reach Adrian.
oak free. Two more attendants appeared, restraining me as I fought to
Adrian seemed oblivious to the commotion. With steady hands, he withdrew the dagger from his chest and threw it into the fire. The flames hissed and sputtered as they consumed the blood.
“I offer the blood from my heart,” Adrian announced, his voice carrying across the now silent gathering. “Whatever answer the sacred fire gives, I will accept it.”
As soon as he finished speaking, the fire transformed. The orange flames twisted and turned, shifting from their natural color to a brilliant, supernatural blue.
“No!” The word tore from my throat before I could stop it.
I collapsed to my knees, still held back by the attendants. Blood continued to seep through Adrian’s shirt, but he stood tall, unflinching. His eyes found mine across the distance, filled with something that looked like triumph despite his
injury.
Alpha Maxwell and the others had fallen silent, their earlier mockery replaced by stunned disbelief. No one had expected
Adrian to take such a drastic measure.
Elder Selene approached Adrian, her face solemn. “The sacred fire has accepted your sacrifice, Alpha Adrian, The blood from your heart proves your sincerity and commitment.”
The crowd began to murmur again, but this time with respect rather than scorn. What Adrian had done was
unprecedented.
The priest raised his hand for silence, his voice grave as he spoke. “I regret to inform you, Alpha Adrian, that you have not passed the ultimate trial.”
Adrian nodded once. “Thank you,” he said simply, pressing his hand against his bleeding chest.
He turned away from the altar and walked toward me with unsteady steps. His face was growing paler by the second, but his eyes never left mine.
The attendants finally released their grip on my arms. I rushed forward as Adrian stumbled down the stone steps. The
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Chapter 204
overwhelming scent of blood filled my nostrils.
“Almost there,” Adrian whispered, reaching out his hand to me. His fingers were stained red, trembling slightly.
Just as our fingertips were about to touch, his knees buckled. Adrian collapsed onto the stone steps. Blood pooled beneath him, dark and glistening in the moonlight.
ADRIAN!” I screamed, dropping to my knees beside him.
