Chapter 213
Skye’s POV
“Really?” I bounced up from Adrian’s bedside, grabbing Xavier’s arm excitedly. “Which doctor? Are you sure they’re reliable?”
“Doctor?” Lydia looked confused, glancing between Xavier and me.
I scanned the room, noticing the hesitant expressions on Xavier and Adrian’s faces. “Would you guys mind waiting outside for a few minutes? I’d like to speak with Lydia alone.”
Ryder threw his hands up. “What are you all talking about? Is Lydia injured too?”
Adrian motioned for Ryder to quiet down. “Let’s go get some sodas from the vending machine downstairs.”
Ryder grabbed a pastry from the side table, stuffing it into his mouth before following Adrian and Xavier out the door.
Once the men had left, I turned to Lydia, choosing my words carefully. “I’m sorry I kept this from you. I wasn’t sure if we could find a doctor who could perform this surgery, so I didn’t want to mention it.”
I tried to explain without hurting Lydia’s dignity, but she surprised me by pointing directly at her mask. “You’re referring to surgery for my nose, right?”
I nodded, taking her hand in mine. “I didn’t mean to tell Alpha Xavier about your personal business. It’s just that he’s a celebrity and knows many plastic surgeons. He has more connections than I do. If you don’t want to go through with it, I completely understand. I promise I won’t bring it up again…”
Lydia’s voice was calm as she interrupted me. “When I was first disfigured, I felt worthless and desperate. I couldn’t bear to face anyone. But during my two years on the run, things changed. When I finally returned home, I learned my mother had passed away. A friend of hers told me she died from a heart attack while alone at home. They only found her body a week later when a neighbor noticed something wrong.”
rew
She paused, her eyes distant with memory. “Where I grew up, it’s hot year–round. A piece of pork left in the kitchen for half a day would be crawling with maggots. I couldn’t bear to imagine what my mother’s body looked like after a week. I only know that the smell had seeped into the house, becoming part of it. After my mother died, I felt completely disconnected from this world. Other people’s opinions stopped mattering to me.”
I didn’t know how to comfort her. It had been so long since I’d visited my own parents. I always assumed Ethan would take care of them.
“My mother was very beautiful when she was young,” Lydia said softly.
“I’m sure she was,” I replied.
Lydia continued, “All beauty is fleeting/Eventually, I stopped caring about my appearance. Especially living in the desert, where I rarely saw anyone. Beauty or ugliness… it had no meaning. You know, it’s like those fish in the deep sea that look so strange and misshapen.”
Thinking she was politely refusing the surgery, I persisted. “But we’re not in the deep sea or the desert anymore. There’s still so much in the world worth experiencing and looking forward to, right? And last night, when I asked you and Xavier to go back to the hotel, didn’t you say we were your family now?”
1/3
Chapter 213
Lydia laughed. “I never said I wouldn’t accept the surgery. Why are you getting so worked up? I Just wanted you to know that I’m not doing this because I care what others think. I want to fight alongside you all more effectively. Honestly, wearing this mask every day is quite inconvenient,”
I hugged her, relief washing over me. “Thank you, Lydia. You’re always so understanding. I thought I had messed up again. Don’t worry, we’ll make sure you can remove your mask and breathe freely in the sunlight.”
“You don’t need to promise anything,” she replied. “Even if it fails, I won’t blaine you.”
I called the men back into the room, and we began discussing the surgical arrangements. The plastic surgeon was in Los Angeles, which meant Lydia would need to travel there. I offered to accompany her, but the surgery was scheduled for next week–coinciding with the official ceremony where Alpha Xavier would take over from the current Alpha King Thomas.
“You and Adrian should stay here,” Lydia insisted. “We need to ensure Alpha Xavier’s transition ceremony goes smoothly. There have been assassination attempts during transition ceremonies before. Many Alphas clearly don’t respect Xavier.
After some discussion, we decided Ryder would accompany Lydia to Los Angeles for the surgery.
“Make sure you take good care of her,” I instructed Ryder. “Surgical wounds can get infected easily.”
Lydia gave me a knowing look. “Don’t forget, while I’m not a doctor, I do understand basic medical knowledge.”
“That’s true,” I conceded with a smile. “But Ryder definitely needs the reminder.”
“Hey!” Ryder protested. “I can be responsible.”
Adrian chuckled. “Ryder, just follow Lydia’s instructions and you’ll be fine. She probably knows more about wound care than all of us combined.”
Xavier nodded in agreement. “I’ll arrange for my personal driver to take you both to the airport. The surgeon is one of the best in the country–very discreet and experienced with complex facial reconstruction.”
“What about security?” Adrian asked, his brow furrowing with concern. “Actually, I’m worried Alpha Rodrigo might continue to harass Lydia. You were there that day too/
“Don’t worry,” Xavier replied. “Los Angeles is my territory. Once Lydia arrives in Los Angeles, there won’t be any problems.”
The conversation continued as we refined the details of the plan. Lydia would stay in Los Angeles for at least a week after the surgery for initial recovery and follow–up appointments. Ryder would remain with her the entire time, serving as both companion and protector.
Xavier stood up, stretching slightly. “Lydia and I should head back to the hotel. We have preparations to make for next week.”
Lydia nodded, giving me a gentle squeeze on the shoulder before following Xavier toward the door. Ryder announced he was going to grab some real food from the cafeteria, leaving Adrian and me alone.
As evening approached, a nurse came in to check Adrian’s vitals. She seemed pleased with his progress but mentioned the doctor recommended we stay one more night to ensure his wounds were healing properly.
After she left, Adrian reached for my hand. “You should get some rest. You’ve barely slept since yesterday.”
“I’m fine,” I insisted, though fatigue was definitely setting in. “I want to stay with you.”
2/3
Chapter 213
I settled back into the chair beside Adrian’s bed, watching as he drifted into a light sleep. Despite everything that had happened, I felt a sense of calm knowing we had a solid plan moving forward.
My phone vibrated in my pocket. Pulling it out, I was surprised to see my mother’s name on the screen.
