Crowned by Fate Chapter 143

Skye’s POV

"Lydia?" I asked cautiously, eyeing Alpha Rodrigo. "What do you want with her?"

Alpha Rodrigo's dark eyes narrowed slightly. "She's an old friend. We haven't seen each other in a long time. I'd like to speak with her."

I studied his face, searching for any sign of deception.

"I've never heard Lydia mention knowing you," I replied carefully.

A flash of irritation crossed Alpha Rodrigo's features. "Does Lydia report everything to you?" His voice hardened. "Beta!"

The way he emphasized my rank made it clear he expected obedience. Typical Alpha behavior.

I stepped back and closed my eyes briefly, establishing a mind-link with Lydia.

“Lydia, there's someone here claiming to be your friend. Alpha Rodrigo from Ironwater Pack wants to see you.”

There was a prolonged silence before she responded.

“I'll be right down.”

A few minutes later, Lydia appeared at the staircase. When she spotted Alpha Rodrigo, her steps visibly slowed. Even with the mask that partially covered her face, I could see the shock in her eyes.

But within seconds, her composure returned. Her shoulders straightened as she approached us .

"What's happening, Skye?" Lydia asked.

"This Alpha wanted to see you," I explained, preparing to leave and give them privacy.

Before I could step away, Lydia's hand caught my arm, her grip surprisingly tight. The message was clear – she didn't want to be alone with him.

"Lydira," Alpha Rodrigo said, his voice suddenly softer.

"Alpha Rodrigo, you must be mistaking me for someone else. My name is Lydia, not Lydira."

"I recognized you at the banquet yesterday," he insisted. "You may have changed your name, but you can't change your voice or your scent. I would never forget you... not in a lifetime."

"A lifetime?" Lydia's tone turned mocking. "Aren't you a bit young to be talking about lifetimes, Alpha Rodrigo? Besides, you're mistaken. I'm not who you're looking for."

Rodrigo's gaze dropped to her wrist. "If you've truly forgotten me, why do you still wear the coral bracelet I gave you?"

Lydia glanced down at her right wrist, her fingers brushing over the delicate coral beads. With deliberate slowness, she unclasped it and held it out to him.

"It's just an ordinary bracelet. You must be confused," she said coolly. "If you like it so much, you can have it."

Alpha Rodrigo took the bracelet, clutching it tightly in his hand. I noticed his fingers trembling slightly.

"Skye, we should return to reviewing those files," Lydia said, tugging at my arm as she turned to leave.

Alpha Rodrigo suddenly reached out, grabbing Lydia's arm with enough force to stop her.

"Don't go."

"Please let go of me," Lydia said, her voice tight with irritation.

"Lydira, I've been searching for you for years!" Rodrigo continued as if she hadn't spoken.

"She asked you to let go," I interrupted. "She's already said she doesn't know you."

Alpha Rodrigo's eyes flashed with anger. "This is between us. It doesn't concern you, Beta!"

"It may not concern Skye, but it certainly concerns me!"

Alpha Xavier's voice thundered through the lobby.

"Take your hands off her. Now." Xavier's command was a low, dangerous growl.

Rodrigo winced but didn't release Lydia. The two Alphas stood locked in a power struggle, neither willing to back down.

"Remove your hand," Xavier demanded, "or I'll remove it for you."

Several hotel guests hurried away from the escalating confrontation.

"If you continue harassing my mate," Xavier continued, "I'll have no choice but to file a complaint with the Council Elders and have your candidacy revoked. Is that what you want, Alpha Rodrigo? "

The two Alphas stood chest to chest, their powerful frames vibrating with tension. Xavier always carried himself like a carefree playboy, but seeing him now, I realized he was truly a powerful Alpha beneath that facade.

Alpha Rodrigo stared at them in shock.

"Is this true?" he asked Lydia, his voice barely audible despite the aggression in his stance. "He's your mate? How is that possible? You shouldn't—"

"Xavier is indeed my mate!" Lydia interrupted firmly, placing a hand on Xavier's arm as if to restrain him. "Now please leave!"

At that moment, Adrian and Ryder appeared at the lobby entrance. They immediately sensed the confrontation and moved quickly toward us, flanking me protectively.

"We've been waiting for you," Adrian said, moving to my side. His gaze shifted between the two bristling Alphas. "Is there a problem here?"

The addition of another Alpha to the mix seemed to finally break through Rodrigo's determination. His expression transformed into one of profound sadness. He stepped back, breaking the standoff with Xavier.

"No problem, Alpha Adrian," he said quietly. "I apologize. I mistook Lydia for someone else."

Before turning to leave, Rodrigo held out the coral bracelet, offering it back to Lydia. "This bracelet... it's as beautiful as your hair once was."

Once Rodrigo was out of sight, Lydia turned to Xavier.

"Thank you, Alpha Xavier," she said. "I really appreciate you pretending to be my mate."

"Any man who gets to be your mate would be fortunate, Lydia," Xavier said with a genuine smile. "It wasn't difficult to pretend. And are you in some kind of trouble?"

"No, nothing to worry about," Lydia replied with practiced politeness.

Throughout the afternoon, I couldn't help noticing how distracted Lydia seemed.

Her usual sharp focus was missing, and several times I caught her staring into space, lost in thought.

The third trial would be another team competition. If any team member wasn't fully present, it could jeopardize Adrian's chances of advancing. With this concern weighing on my mind, I knocked on Lydia's door that evening.

When she opened it, her eyes were rimmed with red.

"Lydia, can we talk?" I asked gently. "You know Alpha Rodrigo, don't you?"