Chapter 17
Xena’s POV
“Alpha Hank.” Alpha Benedict said as he walked into the room.
I tried to stand up, but he placed his hand on my shoulder, gesturing for me to stay seated. “Don’t get up. How are you feeling?”
“She’s fine,” Martha suddenly interjected, answering for me. Everyone looked at her in
confusion, not understanding why she’d speak on my behalf. I chose to ignore her.
The three girls followed in behind Ryder, William, and Ama. Ama walked directly to my
side.
“Are you okay?” she asked softly, crouching beside me.
“Much better. Can you help me braid my hair?” I smiled, stroking her face.
“Of course.” Ama stood up and began working on my hair.
I looked at the three girls–broken nose, missing teeth, black eyes. They looked far worse
than I did, and I felt a small sense of satisfaction at the sight.
“Seems like even three against one wasn’t enough advantage for you,” my father mocked
them.
“First, I want to apologize for their behavior. They will accept whatever punishment you deem appropriate,” Alpha Benedict said.
“My daughter has already challenged that one to a duel,” my father stated firmly.
“Stupid girl!” Martha muttered under her breath. Everyone in the room could hear it, and Logan shot her a murderous glare.
“Perhaps you should check on the garden?” My father sensed the tension rising in the room and walked over to Martha, ushering her out.
“The sooner you all realize she’s just trash, the sooner we can be rid of her!” Martha shouted as my father pushed her out.
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“Go on, the garden needs tending,” my father said wearily.
I was so accustomed to this kind of talk that I didn’t even blink. Years of this had numbed
me to the sting–both Martha’s hatred and my father’s enabling of it.
Ryder and Alpha Benedict looked at me with sympathy. I could almost read their thoughts: “No wonder you hit her.” This pity felt worse than hostility.
“So, shall we set it for next Saturday?” Alpha Benedict asked.
“Perfect,” I said coldly, looking at Helen. She appeared frightened but still had anger smoldering in her eyes.
“And there’s also the matter of this young lady who will be mating with our future Beta.” Alpha Benedict gestured toward Ama as he spoke to my father.
“Ah, yes. Miss Ama Gonzalez. Daughter of our finest warrior. She will be missed,” my father replied with a smile.
“Could we have the young people leave and discuss matters privately?” Alpha Benedict asked.
“Certainly.”
We all stood and walked toward the hallway. As William and Logan escorted the girls to the cells to await punishment; I turned to Ama.
“What are your plans today?” I asked.
“Nothing special, I guess. Maybe moving my things.”
“Can you help me at the shop today? I can’t lift my arms,” I said quietly, trying not to show how much pain I was in.
“Of course.” She looked at Ryder for confirmation.
He shook his head. “You need to move your things and handle all the official paperwork. I’ll go with her to help.”
Ama’s face lit up. “That’s so sweet of you.”
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I narrowed my eyes, immediately sensing something off. “Yeah, ‘sweet‘ is one word for it, or did your father send you to make sure this doesn’t turn into a bigger problem?”
When he didn’t answer, I knew I’d guessed correctly. “That’s what I thought. I don’t need your help.”
I stood up and slowly walked out the door, heading toward my car.
“Blade!” Ama called out.
“Love you!” I called back with a laugh, letting her know I wasn’t upset with her. I had no ill feelings toward Ama; she was one of the few people I allowed into my heart.
“Not happening! You’re riding with me, princess.” Ryder quickly caught up to me.
“Princess?” I raised an eyebrow. He hurried to his car, which was parked next to mine, and opened the passenger door with a flourish. I bet this car had attracted plenty of girls.
“Why do they call you Blade?” he asked, genuine curiosity in his eyes.
I frowned and asked, “Didn’t you already ask about that?”
Ryder replied with a half–smile, “I just want to get to know you better.”
“Because my heart is forged in fire, and I’m a rebel, a warrior.” I stared into his eyes, emphasizing the words ‘rebel‘ and ‘warrior.‘
“Logan is the charming one. The social butterfly, girl magnet, warm guy. And me, the cold–hearted sister, known for not taking any shit.”
“I’ve heard,” he nodded.
“Yeah, so whatever you do won’t hurt my feelings. Whatever this is, don’t worry. You don’t
owe me anything. We’re not looking for war, and you can go back to doing whatever you want with whoever you want.” I said coldly.
I painfully got into my car and drove straight to my shop with him following behind in his
own car.
We arrived at the motorcycle customization shop. It took me a moment to unlock the door and go inside. He didn’t come in immediately but instead parked and waited quietly
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at the entrance. I put him out of my mind.
Cleaning the bathroom and picking up trash was difficult for me, but I managed. However, looking at the brake pads on top of the cabinet, I sighed. Normally, I could just jump up and get them; but with my current injuries, that wasn’t possible.
After hesitating for a moment, I sighed again and called his name. “Ryder?”
“What is it, princess?” He seemed pleased that I’d called him, entering the room with a smirk and crossing his arms.
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