Page 234 of A Warrior's Fate

A fated bond had ruined Adrien’s life, had taken the woman he loved. And though he’d let Corinne go so she had a chance at being okay, maybe being happy with her destined mate who’d claimed her, Isla wasn’t sure if deep down, Adrien hoped that Cora would miss him. That her forced fated bond wouldn’t be as fulfilling as the long love Isla had seen them share since they were younger.

“Are you okay?” she asked, preparing to speak of her old friend. “You’ve been off all night. Since you got here.”

Adrien didn’t respond, no agreement, no denial.

Isla sighed. “You can talk to me.”

“I don’t think I can.”

“Why?”

He turned to her, and there was something about the graveness of his face that tipped her off.

This wasn’t about Cora. This was bigger. Political. And he had realized the same thing that she had. That he was the future Alpha of Io, and she would be the Luna of Deimos. They were on opposing sides.

Isla’s blood chilled. “Adrien?”

What did he know? What had he known?

Seconds went by too slow before the Heir said, “I spoke to my father ahead of the vote, right before they went in the chambers that night. He hadn’t been happy about my opposition—at all.” Adrien winced at the recollection of the memory. “I was surprised he’d called the meeting so late, but the moment your father got back from Charon, they went in, and a part of me wondered if it was so you and me and Sebastian couldn’t get to your dad.”

Isla’s nails dug into her palms. “So, he knows about me and Kai.” It was a confirmed suspicion.

Adrien nodded, nostrils flaring. “And he figured you told me about it which is probably why he’s been shutting me out since the Hunt…but something’s been going on, even before that. He really started changing after Cora while I was gone.”

Gone?

“Where’d you go?”

Adrien stiffened as if he hadn’t meant to mention that part.

And in his hesitation, Isla affirmed, “I’m still your friend. Talk to me, please.”

Another heaved breath fell from his mouth, and he glanced around them to ensure no one was near. He leaned in closer, but still, his voice was so soft, she could barely hear it. “After we broke the bond, I wasn’t recovering fast enough. So, I went to a healer—a witch.”

Isla jerked back, her eyes wide. “You were healed by a witch?”

Though a whisper, she’d spoken too loud for his liking, given his warning look.

It made sense.

Broken bonds destroyed even the strongest wolves. To get back to where he was now, to where he had to be to eventually lead as Alpha, Adrien may have needed a miracle. Magic. But if anyone found out…

What Kyran had been doing, what Cassius had been doing, harboring witches, working with them, that was dangerous. But Adrien being healed, enhanced in some way with magic, that broke continental law, maybe even their sacred Code.

“Does your father know?” Isla asked.

“He arranged it.” There was a harshness to his voice that told her he knew the implications. “I don’t know how. They dislike us as much as we aren’t fond of them. But the healer lives in a small village that’s part of their territory on our continent, right on the other side of the Valkeric Mountains, away from their mainland. Not many there to see or sense me. I’m assuming he paid her handsomely, but I didn’t ask.”

Paid her or threatened her, Isla thought.

Cassius must’ve been desperate. Adrien was his sole Heir, and if he couldn’t handle going through the Alpha Rite when the time came, his legacy would end.

“Is that where he thinks you are now, then? You told Kai you could sneak away for a few days. Does your father think you’re in their territory to be healed again?”

“In part.”

“Why in part?”

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