Xena''s POV


    "Shouldn''t you still be abroad for another year?" Logan asked bluntly.


    "I''m back. Received a birthday party invitation." Tatum answered flippantly.


    I silently cursed Martha in my head. Why did she have to send them invitations? "Heard you''ve already found your mate," Ryder said.


    "Unfortunately, she didn''t qualify. I''m looking for a recement." His eyes raked over me like knives, sending chills down my spine. "That''s right." He licked his lips, looking me up and down, the possessiveness in his gaze making my stomach churn.


    "She''s not even 18 yet," Logan said.


    "Neither are you, at least not until Friday. I''ll be waiting to see who challenges me for her.” With that, he stood up, and the three men walked out of my shop. Ss deliberately bumped into William on his way out, and William immediately moved to hit him but was held back by Ryder. They climbed into their sports car and sped away.


    I stood frozen, his words echoing in my mind: "challenges me for her." Fear spread like ice from the soles of my feet through my entire body. What did his return mean? What would happen to my future? A suffocating sensation enveloped me, as if invisible ropes were tightening around me.


    "X!" Logan grabbed my shoulders and shook me, pulling me out of my daze. I finally looked up at him.


    I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. My tongue felt dry, my nerves taut, my


    strength seemingly drained. Logan simply pulled me into a hug.


    "When the fuck did hee back?" Leonard was furious.


    "This isn''t good," William agreed with a frown.


    "Can you guyse over for a meeting?” Logan asked Ryder.


    "Of course. We''ll be there in an hour." Ryder looked at me. "Are you okay?"


    I could only nod. That seemed to satisfy him, and then they left. My legs felt heavy


    as lead, and all I wanted was to escape this ce and return to the safety of my pack.


    "We need to go home. Cancel your appointments," Logan said.


    I grabbed my appointment book, clutching it tightly to my chest. "I''ll handle it at home."


    I''d never felt such an urgent need to return to the pack house.


    Logan nodded, picking up my bag and watching as I locked up. I got into Leonard''s car


    while Samuel rode my motorcycle back home. The whole process took about 40 minutes


    before we finally made it back.


    Dad was already waiting at the door. "X, go to my office and finish your work," Dad said seriously. I nodded and rushed off.


    On the way, my thoughts were in chaos. I realized that I had no means to protect myself


    when faced with danger, and I hated my weakness. Thinking about his lustful gaze, tears


    threatened to fall.


    "No, I''m not fucking crying," I growled at myself. I nced out the window and saw my


    father on the phone, his expression grave. I noticed the white strands in his hair at the


    temples, and I took a deep breath. I needed to focus on my own tasks first.


    Opening my appointment book, I dialed the first person''s number. "Hello?"


    "Aurora, this is Xena. I need to reschedule. Something''se up, and Dad wants me present." I tried to speak in a normal tone.


    "Damn, alright. Just let me know what time works." He was a pack member, so he couldn''t disobey Dad''s orders.


    "Thursday at 4?"


    "Sounds good. Thanks!"


    "Great, see you then." I hung up and called the next person. The situation was simr.


    Thest person was human, which would be more difficult to handle.


    "Hello?" He sounded angry.


    "This is Xena. I need to reschedule your appointment for today because something''se up, and I won''t be at the shop." My voice had regained itsposure.


    "This is ridiculous. I''ve already paid, and I want my customization done as soon as possible. I have a date this weekend."


    Dad and everyone else walked in, including Ryder, Benedict, William, and Ama.


    "I understand, and I apologize for the inconvenience, but this is unavoidable. Can you


    "I''ll have to call you back." He seemed to have an emergency and hung up abruptly.


    Frowning, I put down my phone. Everyone was watching me, waiting. My eyes swept


    across everyone in the room, their gazes making me feel suffocated.


    "Xena! Are you okay?" Ama sat beside me, looking extremely concerned.


    I just looked at her, unsure how to respond. All their concerned looks made me


    feel like fragile porcin, just a little girl who should stay at home. I fucking hated that feeling.


    Looking around the room, my eyesnded on Logan. Through that twin telepathy,


    signaled him to change the subject.


    "Dad, why did you send them invitations? They''re not allies!” Logan was angry.


    Ama tried to put her arm around me, but I pushed her away and stood up. If I let


    her


    "Martha,e in." Dad pressed the inte button, calling for Martha.


    No one spoke as we waited for her. I walked to the window and looked down.


    Whatever that man was nning, I would find a way to fight back. I wasn''t anyone''s prize, nor would I be used as a bargaining chip.


    "Darling- Martha walked in, thinking only Dad was there, but her brow furrowed when she saw everyone.


    "What''s happened?" Her tone changedpletely.