Chapter 23
Skye’s POV
This niger
It’s really not a big deal, Adrian said, ‘I’ve received help from many people throughout my life. This was simply my dwell on it.
His lips curved into a gentle smile as he shrugged, as if donating his precious Alpha blood to a complete stranger
someone a sweater.
as no more significant than lending
But I couldn’t help the emotion welling up inside me. I blinked rapidly, fighting back the tears that threatened to spill.
“You’re quite lucky, aren’t you?” Nadia remarked, her lips pursed into a tight line. “Some wolves would give anything for what you received so casually.”
Nadia, Adrian warned, his tone gentle but firm.
Thank you,” I said, looking directly at Adrian. “Truly. If there’s anything I can do to repay you, please tell me.”
Adrian’s expression brightened. “Actually, there is something you could help with,” he said, a hint of mischief entering his voice. “Next weekend is Oasisborn’s two–year anniversary celebration. We could use a skilled bartender for the event.”
Two years?” I asked, curiosity temporarily overriding my emotional state. “The pack is that new?”
Adrian nodded. “We’re still establishing ourselves. Which is why celebrations like this are important for pack morale.”
So Oasisborn was only two years old–that explained why I’d never heard of it during my time at Frostshadow Pack.
After becoming a lone wolf, I’d deliberately disconnected myself from werewolf news and politics, finding it safer to remain ignorant of a world I no longer belonged to.
Relief washed over me as I realized there was actually something concrete I could do to begin repaying my debt.
I’d be happy to help,” I said, perhaps too eagerly. “In fact, I could prepare all the drinks for the event, de signature cocktail for the occasion.”
a special menu… maybe even create a
“That sounds perfect.“Adrian’s smile widened.
Dr. Chen finished noting something in her tablet before addressing me again. “You’re clear to leave, but I recommend daily shift practice to help your body adjust to its new capabilities. And no alcohol for at least three days.”
I nodded, sliding off the examination table. As we left the medical facility, Adrian mentioned that I should practice shifting again before returning to Boring.
To my surprise, Nadia immediately volunteered.
I’ll take her, she announced, her tone suggesting no room for argument. “You have that call with the Council scheduled in thirty minutes anyway.”
Adrian hesitated, then nodded. Thank you, Nadia. I’ll see you both later.”
As soon as Adrian was out of sight, Nadia led me to a secluded training area surrounded by desert vegetation adapted to the unusual moisture of the oasis. Despite her initially hostile attitude, she proved to be a surprisingly competent teacher.
“Women shift differently than men,” she explained as she demonstrated a smooth transformation into her sleek black wolf. After shifting back to human form, she continued: “We’re typically smaller in wolf form, which means we need different fighting techniques to compensate.”
Over the next couple of hours, she taught me specifically female–oriented combat moves, showing me how to use my smaller size and greater agility to outmaneuver larger opponents.
After we both shifted back to human form, Nadia scrutinized my body with critical eyes, then reached out and squeezed my upper arm with dissatisfaction.
“You’re too soft, she declared, frowning. “Your muscles are underdeveloped. How do you expect to protect yourself like this? You won’t always be so lucky to
1/3
Chapter 23
have someone rescue you when you’re in danger.”
And Adrian wouldn’t be interested in someone so weak anyway. She dropped her hand, muttering under her breath.
You like Alpha Adrian, don’t you? 1 asked before I could stop myself.
Nadia stiffened, her dark eyes flashing with momentary panic before hardening into defensive anger.
“Everyone in Oasisborn likes Adrian,” she snapped. ‘He’s the best Alpha in the world. He saved all of us, gave us a home when we had nowhere else to go.”
There was something endearing about her fierce loyalty, about the way she straightened hef shoulders when speaking of him. Despite her abrasive manner, I found myself warming to her slightly.
‘From now on, she continued, clearly eager to change the subject, “you need to practice every day exactly as I’ve shown you. Understand?”
I nodded solemnly. ‘Yes, my dear teacher.”
To my surprise, her stern expression melted into a satisfied smile, and for a brief moment, I glimpsed the possibility of friendship beneath her prickly
exterior.
By evening, Adrian himself drove me back to Boring.
The journey took a little over two hours, and we spent most of it in comfortable silence. Occasionally he would point out features of the landscape or ask gentle questions about my life, never pressing when I gave vague answers.
When we finally pulled up outside The Watering Hole, Jessie was just arriving for her shift. She stopped in her tracks, when she saw me climbing out of Adrian’s SUV, her eyes widening with undisguised curiosity.
Ill pick you up next Saturday evening,” Adrian said, leaning slightly out of his window. He nodded politely to Jessie before driving away, the vehicle disappearing into the gathering dusk.
The moment he was gone, Jessie pounced, grabbing my arm and practically dragging me through the bar’s trance. “We thought you were sick!” she exclaimed, her voice pitched higher with excitement. “But you were off with Mr. Tall–Dark–and–Delicious the whole time!”
She pulled me behind the bar, lowering her voice conspiratorially. “Spill. Everything. How did you hook up with him? How far have you gone? Did you do it? I need all the juicy details!”
“It’s not what you think,” I protested, feeling heat rise to my cheeks. “I really was sick. I just happened to run into him at the clinic, that’s all. There’s nothing between us.”
Jessie rolled her eyes dramatically. “Oh, please! You expect me to believe that? The way he looked at you just now was definitely not nothing.”
“He looks at puppies the same way,” I insisted. “He’s just… naturally intense.”
Before Jessie could continue her interrogation, Buck emerged from the back office. His weathered face lit up at the sight of me, and he pulled me into a bear hug, one hand affectionately ruffling my hair.
“There she is!” he boomed. You don’t know how much we’ve missed you these past few days! The place ain’t the same without you.” He stepped back, concern creasing his brow. “You feeling better now, darlin‘? That stomach bug all cleared up?”
The warmth of his welcome caught me off guard. I’d never expected to form attachments in this small desert town, had deliberately kept everyone at arm’s length. Yet somehow, Buck’s fatherly concern and Jessie’s nosy but well–intentioned interest had snuck past my defenses.
Which made what I had to say next all the more difficult.
*Buck, I began hesitantly, “I need to talk to you about something. I took a deep breath, steeling myself. ‘I’m sorry, but I have to give my notice. I can work through next Friday, but after that… I’ll be leaving.”
2/3
Crowned by Fate
