She’s POV

Isten on the edge of Lydia’s bed, my hands timbling bas /bher story settled into my bones like winter frost. The horror of what shed andure own past pain reem almost trivial.fn2fd3 Original content can be found at FindN()vel/fn2fd3

My wolf stirred restlessly beneath my skin, responding to the mocktail of emotions surging through me shock, heartbreak, mid a rage so pure it boined white–hot in my chest.

“That bastard,” I whispered, my voice cracking. “That absolute bastard ”

My fingers curled into fists, nails digging into my pales. How could Rodrigo stand there at the trials, ying the grieving widower, when he’d nechestrated Lydia’s destruction?

The hypocrisy made me sickb. /b

“Lydia,” I said, turning to face her folly. “A man like that doesn’t deserve your love. He never did. My mice grew stronger, fueled by protective fury. “Be doesn’t deserve to be Alpha King either. We’re going to beat him in this election. We’re going to destroy that monster”

I reached for her hands. My fingers traced along her wrist until they found the red coral bracelet, still there after chains.”

these years. The smooth beads felt like

Do you still hate him?” I asked softly, stroking the bracelet with my bthumb/b.

-won peace. “Don’t worry about me, Skye. I wont let Rodrigo affect

Lydia shook her head slowly. “It was many byears /bago. Her voice carried the weight of hard–w my emotions anymore.” A bitter bsmile /btouched her lips. “In fact, I won’t let any man affect my emotions again.”

She lifted her wrist, the coral catching themplight. I keep this bracelet as reminder. Every time I see it, I remember not to make stupid mistakes. Not to trust so blindly.”

“If Rodrigo tries anything–if he even looks at you wrong–Adrian and I will protect byou/bb,/b” I said fiercely. b“/bbYou /bre bpack /bnow. bYou’re /bbfamily/bb./bb” /b

“Thank you.” Lydia’s voice softened with genuine warmth. Then her bdark /beyes sharpened, studying me with the analytical garee to reDT 16 “Speaking ofplicated men… what’s going on with you, Alpha Adrian, and Alpha Leon?”

I released a long, exhausted sigh that seemed toe from my toes. “I don’t want to bdeal /bwith rtionship drama right now either. The third trial is in two days.” I stood, smoothing down my clothes. All I want to focus on is winning this election.”

Leaving Lydia’s room, I felt the wei

weight of her story pressing down on my shoulders.

As I turned theer toward my room, I nearly collided with a solid wall bof /bmuscle. Adrian stood there, obviously returning from ate training session, his hair still damp with sweat.

1 froze, awkwardness Blooding through me like ice water. After bour /bfightst night, I didn’t know what to say. Besides, I probably shouldn’t sleep in his broom /btonight, even though I’d promised him a few days ago that I’d stay by his bside /b24/7 during the election

Adrian broke first. “Why are you still up? His voice bwas /bbcarefully /bneutrall, but I caught the concern underneath.

“I bwas /btalking with Lydia.b” /b

His expression shined, understanding dawning. “About Alpha Rodrigo this afternoon?”

I nodded, swallowing hard.

I know everything now. The bwords /bbcan /bput thick with bemotion/b, God, Adrian, bwhat /bshe went through. bSomeone /blike Lydia, someone so good, she didn’t deserve any of that.”

b1/2 /b

Addon’t chealden dropped sli

He leaned against the wallb, /bamber eyes distant with memory.

b“/bBefore you joined us, she was part of our pack council, but the wasnt like Venus–all outgoing and worn. Lydia kept everyone at aversngeli, b/b, you’ve been with us the shortest time, but she opened up to you more than she ever did with the rest of us.

“Her nose.” I said quietly. Do you think reconstructive surgery might be possible?”

Adrian scratched his head.

I honestly don’t know. I’ve wondered, but I never dared ask what she wanted. She terms… not to care about it.” Ilis mike grew determined. “But if the wants surgery. I’ll find the money. I’ll search the whole world for the best stic surgeon.”

“No woman doesn’t care about bher /bappearance,” I said firmly “Look at men–even Alpha Xavier uses beauty face masks every day.”

“What’s wrong with men using face masks? Xavier’s voice made us both jump. His door swung open, revealing the Alpha in silk pajamas andb, /bindnically, a green face mask. “You have no idea–all the Hollywood actors are using ‘beauty butt masks‘ now! I can share some with you if you’d like“.

“No, thanks!” Adrian and I spoke in perfect unison

Despite everything. I almostughed.

Then it hit me like lightning. Alpha Xavier!” I smacked my forehead. “You have connections to the best stic surgeons in the world”

bXavier /braised one perfectly groomed eyebrow. “Yes?”

“I need to ask yeu à favor,” I bsaid/b, hope blooming in my chest. After the Alpha King election ends, bcould /byou introduce me to the best reconstructive surgeon byou /bknow?”

Chapter Comments

Jamie

poor Lydia! that nasty Luna deserved what she got.