Chapter 46
Adrian’s POV
The urgent knocking came again, more insistent this time. Skye started to rise from her chair, but I placed my hand gently on her shoulder,
Let me, I said quietly, my instincts on high alert.
She nodded, sinking back into her seat as I moved toward the door. As I approached, my heightened senses detected a familiar scent.
When I pulled the door open, Ryder stood on the threshold, his hand raised to knock again. His thick, unruly brown curls were slightly damp, as if he’d just showered, and his boyish face was animated with that perpetual energy that seemed to radiate from him.
Upon seeing me, his eyes widened in surprise, his usual carefree demeanor momentarily giving way to hesitation.
Alpha Adrian?” he stammered, clearly thrown off balance. “You’re… here?”
Before I could respond, Skye appeared at my side, moving to stand next to me in the doorway.
“Ryder,” she greeted him with genuine warmth. “This is a surprise. Is everything alright?”
The uncertainty in his expression quickly gave way to his usual carefree grin, though I noted the slight tension that remained in his shoulders.
“Everything’s fine,” he assured her, reaching into his jacket pocket. “I just wanted to bring you this.”
He pulled out a small glass vial filled with amber liquid–identical to the one I’d given Skye earlier. My jaw tightened involuntarily.
“It’s for your muscles,” Ryder explained, extending the vial toward her. “After all those push–ups today, I figured you’d be hurting.
“That’s so thoughtful,” Skye exclaimed, accepting his gift with a smile that made something twist uncomfortably in my
She glanced at the vial in her hand, then back at him. “Have you eaten dinner yet?”
“Not yet,” he admitted, his eyes brightening with obvious hope.
‘Well, you’ve arrived just in time then,” she said, stepping back to welcome him in. “Adrian and I made plenty. Join us?”
And just like that, our intimate dinner for two became an awkward party of three.
chest. “Thank you, Ryder.”
I forced a neutral expression as Ryder settled into the chair beside Skye’s, his movements entirely too comfortable for my liking.
Their easy rapport grated on my nerves. How had they become so comfortable with each other in just a few weeks? I’d known Ryder for
years, had watched him grow from a gangly adolescent into a capable young adult, yet I’d never seen this side of him–this earnest eagerness to please, this focused attention.
*Remember that weekend we went hiking to the canyon?” Ryder asked Skye, reaching casually to refill her water glass before she even requested it. “You said you’d never seen the desert stars properly. We should go camping sometime–the night sky out there is unbelievable.”
“That sounds wonderful,” Skye agreed, turning to include me in the conversation. “Adrian, have you been to the canyon Ryder’s talking about?”
Her attempt at drawing me in only highlighted my exclusion. I nodded curtly, swallowing the bitter taste of jealousy that had nothing to do with the food.
‘I surveyed the entire territory before establishing Oasisborn,” I replied, my voice carrying more edge than I intended. “I’m familiar with all the landmarks within our borders.”
The conversation continued through dessert, with Ryder praising the apple tart profusely once he learned I had made it. His compliments se which somehow annoyed me even more. When the meal finally ended, I expected him to take his leave, but to my growing frustration, he b
the dishes instead.
+ genuine,
athering
“Let me help with cleanup,” he insisted, already carrying plates to the sink. “It’s the least I can do after crashing your dinner.”
1/3
Chapter 46
I caught the flash of surprise in Skye’s eyes–pleasant surprise at his thoughtfulness. Something cold and primal stirred in my chest
Your shoulders must be killing you after today, Ryder commented to Skye as he rinsed the plates. Want me to massage them? My mom taught me all the pressure points for muscle recovery.”
Before I could intervene, Skye shook her head. “Thanks, but I’m okay. I’ve got the oil you brought. I should be fine by morning?
Relief coursed through me at her refusal, though I kept my expression carefully neutral.
When we finally left Skye’s apartment, night had fully settled over the oasis. Ryder whistled cheerfully as we walked, seemingly oblivious to my darkening mood. Once we were a considerable distance from Skye’s building, I stopped abruptly, causing him to turn back with raised eyebrows.
Are you pursuing Skye? I demanded, cutting straight to the point.
Ryder’s smile faltered briefly before returning, less carefree and more defiant. “And if I
“She isn’t your mate.” The words came out harsher than I intended.
am?
“Since when did you become so traditional?” Ryder challenged, his casual demeanor giving way to something more serious. “I thought the whole point of leaving Stormhowl was to escape all those rigid pack rules. If I don’t have a mate and she doesn’t have a mate, why shouldn’t I pursue her?” He crossed his arms. “Marcus is pursuing Venus, and you haven’t objected to that.”
His comparison stung. “Creating a new pack doesn’t mean abandoning every principle from our past,” I countered, struggling to maintain my Alpha composure. “Some traditions exist for good reason.”
Ryder studied me closely, his head tilting slightly as understanding dawned in his eyes. “Hold on,” he said slowly. “You still haven’t answered my question from earlier. Why were you at Skye’s apartment tonight?”
I stiffened, unwilling to admit I’d brought the same gift as he had. “That’s none of your concern.”
A knowing grin spread across Ryder’s face. “You like her too, don’t you?”
‘Don’t be ridiculous,” I snapped, heat rising to my face despite the cool night air.
‘I knew it!” Ryder exclaimed, looking more delighted than intimidated by my obvious anger. “But even if you do like her, I’m not backing down just because you’re the Alpha.” He straightened, meeting my gaze directly. “Let’s have a fair competition for her affection.”
My control slipped further. “Competition? What are you talking about? There’s no-”
“For an Alpha,” Ryder interrupted, shaking his head with mock disappointment, “you sure have trouble admitting when you like someone.”
I moved forward, reaching for his collar, but Ryder anticipated my reaction. He danced backward, just beyond my grasp, his reflexes impressively quick.
“That’s enough,” I growled. “Are you looking for additional punishment?”
Instead of cowering, Ryder laughed, backing away further. “Remember–fair competition!” he called out, before turning and sprinting away into the darkness, his final words floating back to me on the night breeze: “May the best wolf win!”
I stood rooted to the spot, staring after his retreating form, equal parts frustrated and envious of his carefree approach to life. The weight of leadership had never felt heavier on my shoulders.
If reckless abandon was the privilege of youth, it was a privilege I had never known. From childhood, I had been trained to control my impulse, to consider. every consequence, to put the needs of others before my own desires.
How could I possibly compete with Ryder’s uninhibited pursuit when I couldn’t even acknowledge my own feelings without calculating their potential impact on the pack?
Crowned by Fate
Chapter 47
