Xena''s POV


    "Heading to bed?" he asked.


    "Yeah, got school tomorrow." I leaned against my doorframe, feeling the exhaustion of the


    day settle into my bones.


    "Next week''s a big one," Dad said, his tone casual but probing. I could tell he was fishing


    for something.


    "Is there something you want to ask me, Dad?" I questioned directly, too tired for


    games.


    His hand unconsciously rubbed the back of his neck-a nervous habit he''d had for as long


    as I could remember. "Did you find a dress?"


    "Yes." I kept my answer short, watching his reaction carefully.


    "One that fits the theme?" Damn it...Logan couldn''t have sold me out. My mind raced through possibilities, calcting my response.


    "I bought two dresses," I said carefully. "One for my birthday and one for the dance." I wasn''t lying-notpletely anyway.


    I waited for his interrogation, but after a pause, he simply said, "Wear whichever one you


    like," before turning and walking away.


    That caught me off guard. "Weird," I muttered to myself as I closed my bedroom door.


    After turning off the lights and settling into bed, my phone buzzed. After a brief internal


    struggle, I decided to ignore it and go to sleep.


    Monday mornings are absolute hell, but this particr Monday felt like the fighter jet of all terrible Mondays. I hadn''t even gotten out of bed yet, and I could already feel the day imploding. Martha would be frantic with the birthday party and Saturday''s challenge match, which meant peopleing and going all week, tension in the air, and me bing her favorite stress-relief target.


    Not to mention the possibility of meeting my mate on Friday. If it turned out to be


    Samuel, I''d have nowhere to run. Part of me thought Samuel would be easy, uplicated. But since ourst heart-to-heart, he''d grown less attentive.


    Then there was Ryder. He was an unpredictable variable I wasn''t sure I could fully trust. The hottest guy I''d everid eyes on, with a kiss that left me breathless. But realistically, he seemed like a yer with girls constantly flocking around him. We always argued, our tempers shing like oil and water.


    I reached for my phone, feeling almost back to normal, but that feeling vanished when I saw two messages-one from Samuel, one from Ryder.


    Samuel: Happy birthday week! Hope your day is amazing.


    Sent at 6:03 AM. It was now 6:45. I texted back a quick thanks before checking Ryder''s


    message.


    Ryder: Everything''s been handled. Location is cleared and ready for construction. Thanks for your help.


    This message was sent before I went to sleep. I didn''t feel the need to respond.


    I got up and took a quick shower. I could skip today entirely, but that would mean


    facing more harassment from Martha, so school it was.


    I couldn''t be bothered with my hair, so I braided it to the side, applied light makeup, and,


    threw on basic shorts and a tee. This week was supposed to be scorching. Grabbing my


    phone, I almost contacted Ama before remembering she wasn''t here anymore. I''d be going


    to school alone.


    Frowning, I grabbed my bag and headed out of my room.


    "About time you woke up," Samuel was standing right outside my door.


    "Jesus Christ!" My heart leaped into my throat, startled by his presence but also secretly


    pleased to see him. "What are you doing here?"


    He held up a muffin and a bottle of water, smiling. "Ie bearing gifts."


    The scent of chocte wafted toward me. I snatched the muffin, ring at him with mock irritation while warmth spread through my chest. "What''s the special asion?"


    "Ama''s not here to keep youpany. Figured I''d fill in." He shrugged, something unreadable in his tone.


    "Thanks," I said, my voice probably colder than intended because he gave me an odd look.


    "Want a ride?" he asked, pushing open the garage door.


    "No, you have training, and I need to go to the shop." I sighed, walking toward my motorcycle. I could feel his eyes following me.


    "What''s going on, Samuel? You''ve never done this before," I stopped in front of my bike and confronted him directly.


    "Martha''s already on the warpath. Logan assigned one of us to escort you around the pack house until you find your mate," Samuel said, giving me the unvarnished truth as always- something I appreciated about him.


    "Ah." I put on my helmet, and we mounted our bikes. I tucked the rest of the


    muffin into my side storagepartment, and we took off.


    The wind whipped around me as I elerated, Samuel keeping pace beside me. Chapter Comments


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