Chapter 16
Xena’s POV
William wasn’t the same person I’d seen before. The air around him was intense. His hands gripped the necks of Helen’s two helpers tightly, his knuckles white with pressure.
“Come to Alpha Hank’s office with Alpha Benedict tomorrow. We’ll settle the details there,” Logan said, his voice carrying the authority he’d been born to wield.
“We’ll be there,” Ryder responded, glancing at Helen before asking Logan, “Your cell or
mine?”
“Mine,” I answered for Logan. Ryder stared at me for a second, then nodded in agreement.
“No!” Helen cried out, struggling against Logan’s restraint, her voice shrill with panic.
“I’ve got the SUV at the door,” Leonard announced as he rushed over, dangling the keys in
his hand.
“Samuel,” Logan nodded, then looked toward Samuel, gesturing toward the door with a tilt
of his head.
Samuel approached me without asking how I felt. He simply examined my injuries silently before lifting me in a bridal carry, carefully avoiding my major wounds. Still, I had to bite down on his shoulder to stifle a scream of pain. He stood still, letting me adjust, waiting for the pain to subside. After a moment, I released his shoulder and rested my head against his chest.
The damn pain was nearly suffocating, but I refused to show weakness in front of outsiders. I could feel the warmth of Samuel’s chest, his heartbeat steady and strong, offering me an unexpected comfort.
“Bitch,” I muttered as Samuel carried me toward the door, turning right toward the back
exit.
William escorted the two girls behind us, with Ryder following close behind. They headed in the opposite direction, toward the main entrance.
“Um, Blade?” Ama looked at us and then at William with concern clouding her face.
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Chapter 16
I raised my head with effort. “It’s fine. Go with them, then come back for the meeting.”
I saw Ama’s face on the verge of tears, and I didn’t want her to worry, though I knew she could feel my pain. The sensation of layer upon layer of constriction spread through my chest, each breath feeling like a stab wound.
“Are you okay?” she asked, her voice trembling. She gently brushed the hair from my
forehead.
“I’ve been through worse,” I gave her a weak smile.
“Moon bless you, Blade,” she kissed my cheek before heading off to find William.
I slowly closed my eyes, my ears processing the club’s noise, the greetings from the
bouncers at the door, and finally the sound of the SUV door closing.
I leaned against Samuel the entire time, with Leonard firmly gripping Helen. Logan was
driving. No one spoke during the ride. Logan drove home first, where Leonard got out and
took Helen straight to the cells. Then we drove to the hospital. Logan said the doctor and my father were waiting for us.
“Logan, what happened?” my father demanded as the doctor performed the X–ray.
“She was ambushed by three girls. One of them is in our cell. Alpha Benedict will come to
discuss punishment. X challenged one of the girls to a duel. Also, Ama and their future
Beta William are mates.”
“This is complicated,” my father sighed. “Are you alright, X?” He looked at me with
concern.
“Not bad, she didn’t get away unscathed either. I gave as good as I got,” I forced a smile at my father.
“Two fractured ribs, nothing else serious,” Dr. Smith announced. “No adjustment needed, should heal in a day or two.”
“Thank you, doctor,” Logan said.
“Samuel, take X to her room to rest,” my father instructed.
Samuel nodded and lifted me again. We headed to the pack house, which was just next
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door.
When he carried me to my bedroom door, I patted his arm. “Thanks, I can manage from
here.”
He didn’t protest, just gently set me down, and I staggered into the room.
He watched me walk in and sit on the bed, giving me a look I couldn’t decipher, then walked away. I was too preoccupied with my pain to worry about his mood; I just wanted
to lie down.
Logan had already placed my phone and ID on the nightstand, so I only needed to undress and slip under the covers. That’s exactly what I did. Just as I was about to fall asleep, my phone vibrated. A text message.
Unknown number: It’s Ryder. I’m sorry about tonight.
Me: Which part specifically? (I saved his number.)
Ryder: All of it. I don’t regret the kiss, but I shouldn’t have done it.
Me: Oh?
Ryder: Couldn’t help myself. You looked too good.
Me: How many girls have you said that to?
My fingers tapped on the keyboard with sarcasm. I knew Ryder’s type–charming, dangerous, always with sweet words on his tongue. But I wasn’t ordinary prey, and that feeling terrified me, yet excited me at the same time.
He took so long to reply that I fell asleep. When I woke up the next morning, I immediately checked my phone. 1 unread message. I opened it.
Ryder: Too many, but you’re the first one I truly care about hurting.
The words stirred something inside me. Was he being sincere? Or was this just another carefully crafted lie?
Regardless of the truth, I decided to ignore his message for now, letting him stew a bit while I got up to shower. It took me longer than usual, but I managed. It was Saturday,
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and I needed to go to my shop, so I dressed comfortably. I tried to brush my hair but couldn’t lift my arms high enough. Damn. Maybe Ama could help when she arrived, depending on her plans. I could use her assistance today.
“Sis, they’re here,” Logan informed me through our mental link.
“Coming,” I stood up and slowly made my way to my father’s office. The door was open, and to my annoyance, Martha was working at her desk.
“How do you feel?” my father asked as I entered.
“Furious.”
“Good,” my father nodded. Martha said nothing, just shook her head. I sat in the chair opposite him. We didn’t wait long before we heard footsteps approaching.
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