Crowned by Fate Chapter 142

Skye’s POV

After breakfast with Adrian, we gathered in a small conference room the hotel had provided for our team.

I sat with my laptop open, a frown etched on my face as I reviewed the materials Garrett had sent over. The others were gathered around the desk, equally focused on the upcoming trial.

Something wasn't adding up. I dialed Garrett's number, drumming my fingers impatiently as I waited.

"Garrett, are you sure the information you collected is correct?" I asked when he answered, my brow furrowed with concern.

"I triple-checked everything, Skye," Garrett replied, "The server data, the archived footage, the participant reports—it's all there. There's nothing missing or incorrect about what I sent."

"But this doesn't make sense," I pressed. "The first two trials had detailed records and information. This is just... nothing."

I ended the call with a frustrated sigh and turned to the others.

"Something's off. The information about the third Will Trial is completely different from what Garrett collected for the first two trials. There's almost nothing useful here."

Adrian motioned for the remote, and I passed it to him.He started the video from the previous election's third trial.

We watched as different teams walked into a small forest on the mountainside. Within minutes, a thick mist engulfed them, obscuring everything from view.

"What the hell?" Ryder muttered beside me.

The camera remained focused on the fog-covered area for what seemed like an eternity.

Finally, after nearly an hour, the mist gradually dissipated. Some participants were carried out unconscious. Others stumbled from the forest screaming, their faces contorted in terror.

"Is the fog toxic?" Ryder asked Lydia.

She shook her head slowly. "I'm not sure."

I chewed my lip, staring at the disturbing footage.

"I'm going to call my father. He might know something."

Adrian nodded. "Good idea. Your father's advice helped us get through the second trial."

I dialed my father's number as everyone watched, hoping he'd have some insight into what we were facing.

"Skye?" His voice came through clearly. "Is everything alright?"

"Hey, Dad. I need to ask you about the third trial in the Alpha King Election. Do you know anything about it?"

There was a pause before he replied. "I'm sorry, Skye. In the last election, our team didn't make it past the second trial, so my knowledge of the third is limited."

My heart sank.

"Nothing at all?"

"What I do know," he continued, "is that some participants ended up in psychiatric facilities afterward. There were rumors that they... lost their minds."

My grip tightened on the phone. "Lost their minds?"

"The Will Trial is some kind of mental attack from what I understand. It won't harm you physically, but if your mind gets broken..." He said. "Well, what's the difference between that and being a walking corpse? Don't let your guard down, not for a second."

"We'll be careful," I promised, trying to sound more confident than I felt. "We'll make it through."

"I know you will," he said softly. "You're stronger than you know, Skye."

After ending the call, I looked at Adrian who glanced at his watch.

"We should take a break," he suggested. "Clear our heads before diving back in."

I nodded, feeling a headache forming at my temples. "I'm going to grab a soda from the vending machine downstairs."

The hallway was mercifully quiet as I made my way down the wooden staircase of the cozy hotel.

Near the vending machines, a hotel employee in a crisp uniform approached me.

"Miss Skye?" she asked politely.

I tensed automatically. "Yes?"

"Alpha Rodrigo of the Ironwater Pack requests an audience with your team."

I blinked in confusion. "Alpha Rodrigo?"

"Yes, Miss Skye," she confirmed with a respectful nod. "He's waiting in the lobby."

Alpha Rodrigo. The name was familiar from the first trial.

He'd been the first to get out of the lake, finishing well ahead of everyone else.

Like Leon, he had amassed quite a following on werewolf social media, complete with fan clubs and merchandise.

But our paths had never crossed. Oasisborn Pack had no connections or dealings with the Ironwater Pack.

Why would he seek us out now?

Curiosity overrode my caution as I followed the employee to the lobby.

Alpha Rodrigo stood near the entrance, his imposing figure impossible to miss. He had bronze skin that gleamed under the hotel lights, with thick dark hair styled impeccably. His muscular build strained against his tailored suit, and when he turned toward me, I caught a glimpse of intelligent dark eyes assessing me.

"Alpha Rodrigo," I greeted him formally, maintaining a respectful distance. "I'm Skye, Beta to Alpha Adrian of the Oasisborn Pack. How may I assist you?"

His full lips curved into a polite smile, but there was something guarded in his expression.

"I appreciate your prompt response, Beta Skye," he replied, his voice carrying a slight accent I couldn't quite place. "However, I'm not here to speak with Alpha Adrian."

I raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

"I'm here for Lydira," he said, his tone shifting subtly. "Or I should say Lydia, as she's known now."