Xena''s POV


    My jaw nearly hit the floor. "What-"


    "If Ryder is her mate, it will keep her by his side," Benedict stated with certainty.


    "Mate or not, I wouldy down my life for justice," Ryder swore solemnly.


    "X, please, stay with us?" Ama''s voice was soft as she pleaded with me.


    My heart raced, and I felt a tightness in my chest.


    "I won''t force you, but I do think it''s what''s best for you," Dad said, looking directly into my eyes. I could see the worry there, that deep protective instinct of a father for his


    daughter.


    "We would be happy to wee you," Benedict smiled at me.


    His smile seemed genuine, but I remained cautious inside. I wasn''t used to trusting


    outsiders, especially Alphas from other packs. No matter how kind Benedict appeared, he


    was still an Alpha, and Alphas always had their own agendas.


    "I''ll go pack then," I said with a slight edge to my voice as I rose and headed inside.


    I expected Ama to follow me, but it was Logan who apanied me. We walked


    in silence to my bedroom until he spoke.


    "I''m sorry I can''t protect you here," he said.


    "I know," I sighed, feeling conflicted. I understood Logan''s helplessness, but part of me felt abandoned. Since we were kids, Logan had been my protector, my solid support. Now, I had to leave this safety zone and face a strange environment alone.


    "Remember to be polite."


    "No shit, Logan," I rolled my eyes, pulling out my ck duffel bag and beginning to pack


    what I''d need for the week.


    My movements were rough, shoving clothes haphazardly into the bag. It was my way of


    dealing with anxiety-masking my unease with an appearance of carelessness. Going to Benedict''s house? With Ryder? And that awful Helen? This was the beginning of a disaster.


    "You can skip the formal wear. Dad scheduled your entire day," Logan said. "What about you?" I asked.


    "I have a schedule too, but apletely different kind of day," Logan leaned against the wall by the door, grinning smugly.


    His smile made me want tough, though I felt a pang of bitterness at the same time.


    "Do you think Ryder really is my mate?" I asked while selecting shoes, trying to keep my choices simple.


    "Looks that way," he replied.


    "What about Samuel?" The question felt heavy on my tongue.


    "Samuel needs to move on. What Ryder said about the fight was right. Even if it was a low


    blow."


    "I''ve been screwed by fate from the beginning. Maybe Leonard is my mate!" I joked half-


    heartedly.


    "God, don''t say that," Logan''s face scrunched up in disgust.


    "That man-whore is going to catch something one day," I added with distaste.


    "True. But seriously, Dorian is dangerous. He killed his own mate," Logan''s tone turned serious. (1


    Logan''s words sent a chill down my spine. Killing your own mate? That vited the most


    basic werewolf instinct. If Dorian could do that to his own mate, what else was he capable


    of?


    "What if Ryder isn''t my mate?" I asked tentatively, part of me hoping for a negative


    answer.


    "Then at least you get a change of scenery for a week," Logan consoled me.


    He was trying to make things look better. I knew that, but it didn''tpletely erase the


    worry in my heart. "Maybe you can help Ama adjust. Ryder said things aren''t going as well as they''d hoped."


    "What?" That surprised me. I stopped packing and looked at him.


    Ama not adjusting well? That didn''t sound like her. Ama had always been the type who could find happiness in any environment. If even she was ufortable...


    "Yeah, she keeps forgetting things. Ryder thinks she''s homesick." "But it''s only been..."


    “I know, but change isn''t always easy,” Logan walked over and ced his hands


    on my shoulders, looking me in the eyes. "I truly believe this is good for both you and Ama. Try


    to have a good weekend, okay?"


    His eyes were full of concern and hope. Logan was always like this, seeing the bright side


    even in the worst situations.


    "For you, I will," I promised, though my heart was still resistant.


    "Maybe something good will happen," Logan picked up my bag and pulled me toward the


    door.


    "You''ve always been the optimistic one."


    "I''m usually right," he countered.


    "Why aren''t you more worried about your mate?" The question suddenly burst from my lips.


    "I''m more worried about you. Of course I''m nervous, but I know my path in life." "Damn firstborn," I tried to joke.


    "I am better looking and have a better body," Logan''sment made me roll my eyes. He


    wiggled his hips as we walked outside. He handed my bag to Ryder, then pulled me into a


    big hug.


    "See you at school tomorrow, sis."


    4:12 pm


    I hugged him back tightly, as if my life depended on it. "I love you," I said through


    our


    mental link.


    The three words tumbled through my mind. How many times had I wanted to say them out loud, only to be stopped by my own stubbornness and pride?


    "Can''t say it to my face?" Logan responded.


    "I have an image to maintain. Can''t let people know I''m soft inside," I replied as I


    gave my


    dad a hug.


    "Ready?" Alpha Benedict asked.


    "Yes, sir," Ryder had already put my bag in the trunk.


    With a final nce at my father and brother, Ama grabbed my hand and pulled me


    forward. I gave her a big smile.


    Ryder opened the car door for me. Ama sat in the middle with William on her


    other side.


    Ryder and Alpha Benedict sat in the front seats. Ryder drove, his rearview mirror


    angled


    toward me. I noticed him stealing nces at me through the mirror.


    "We usually have dinner as a family at seven. You''re invited to join us this week,"


    Alpha


    Benedict turned to look at me.


    "Thank you, sir. I appreciate it," I smiled politely.


    Inside, I wondered: Family dinner? It had been a long time since I''d experienced a


    normal


    family dinner. Since Mom left, dinner time at our house had be simple and silent.


    What would this feel like?


    "Ryder will show you around the house and tell you where you''ll be staying," he continued. Suddenly I realized Helen would be there too.


    "Th-thank you," I hesitated.


    The thought of being in the same space as Helen made me uneasy. She had


    always seen


    me as a thorn in her side, and I wasn''t the type to back down. This week might be more difficult than I imagined.


    "Is there a problem?" Alpha Benedict asked.


    My eyes met his, and I struggled to find the right words. "I have one principle, and


    that''s refusing to lie. Though my hesitationes from a childish reason, I don''t want to bother you with teenage drama."


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