Ryder''s POV


    "Not like that," Logan said, leaning against the hospital wall. "Samuel''s always been like a big brother to her. Sure, they hook up asionally, but it never goes beyond that." His voice dropped lower. "I ordered Samuel never to take it further. She doesn''t know about that part. But when Martha is at her worst, she does use him to relieve the stress. Samuel


    knows this, but he fell for her anyway."


    I felt my wolf stir at the thought of another man touching Xena, but I pushed the jealousy


    aside. "Good to know."


    "Do you love her?" Logan asked bluntly.


    "Yes." I answered without hesitation.


    Logan nodded, seemingly satisfied with my response. "Good. She needs a strong man to


    take care of her. I know I can''t y that role forever." He ran a hand through his hair. "I''ll try to stay out of the way, but damn it, I''ll always be there for her. After the Rogue attack,


    seeing her injured like that-I''ll never forget it."


    I stared at the ceiling, recalling the aftermath of the fight. "I was hoping to make it back to the pack before I passed out. Honestly, I didn''t even feel the pain at first. All I could think about was getting her home, making sure she was safe." The memory still sent chills through me.


    "She won''t be going to school tomorrow-it''s Wednesday." Logan shifted his weight. "Truth is, she could have tested out of high school back in eighth grade.”


    "I''m guessing you''ll increase security on Friday?" I asked, thinking ahead to the uing pack event.


    "Yes."


    "I''ll send my men too."


    "We''d appreciate that."


    "Anything for her," I said quietly.


    "Same here." Logan''s voice matched my intensity.


    I cleared my throat. "Listen, about Samuel... I''m sorry. Really. Losing


    yourbestfriend


    Beta must be tough."


    Logan looked over at Xena sleeping peacefully, then nodded. Withhaasiigh, he


    extended hand to me. "I should go. I''ll get you both new phones


    tomorrow.Ittaketthis one for


    analysis."


    "Thanks, man."


    Logan''s face suddenly went nk. "Get William in here."


    I didn''t know what Logan had nned, but I reached out through our mind link. "Com


    here," I called to William.


    Within moments, William rushed in from outside, approaching us. Without warning,


    Logan delivered a perfect right hook that sentt Williamoralingttotthe floor. William


    curled up in pain, clutching his stomach ass Logamoronotizeddown and grabbed his shir yanking him close.


    "You''d better watch what you say around mysister,ontthere''ll be more blood next time Logan released him and stepped over hissbodyyasshitewalked out.


    "Damn," William groaned, struggling to his feett.


    "You deserved that," I said, ring atthim.


    "Yeah, I know." William rubbed his jaw. "Iltfiought you were dead, man. You were


    cover in blood,pletely lifeless."


    "Need one of my girl''s tampons?" I smirkoll


    "Your girl, huh?"


    "I believe so."


    "She''ll make one hell of a Luna."


    "She will. Maybe you''ll live to seeitt.


    William leaned against the wall. "When can you leave this ce?"


    "I''m getting out tomorrow no matter what. I''m only staying because she''s sleeping."


    "Ama''s pissed at me."


    I sighed. "We need to talk about her."


    "Damn it."


    "You need to let her do things her way, not your mother''s way. Let her try new


    projects, figure things out for herself. Stop constraining her."


    "Is that your idea or the Luna-to-be''s over there?"


    "Both."


    "Fine. I''ll ease up," William sighed. "I''m on guard duty. That''s my punishment. Benedict took Ama home after she tore me a new one."


    "Good. Go stand guard and let me sleep."


    I wasn''t tired, but I didn''t want to talk anymore. William was about to leave when


    he paused, looking back at me. "I''m d you''re okay. I''m sorry for how I acted."


    "I''m not the one who needs your apology," I said, though his loyalty warmed me despite my cold exterior.


    William nodded and left the room, closing the door behind him.


    Iy back on the bed, closing my eyes and quickly drifting into sleep. Nightmares


    of Xena being killed by Rogues jolted me awake, only to find that Xena had climbed into my bed. I wrapped my arm around her and finally slept peacefully.


    Xena''s POV


    Voices pulled me from my sleep. Ryder was still sleeping quietly, but angry murmurs from outside had awakened me. When I tried to get out of bed, my muscles reminded me of being thrown from the motorcycle. I carefully made my way to the door and pressed my ear against it.


    "You can''t go in there!" William growled in a harsh whisper.


    "I fucking will!" That was Leonard''s voice.


    I pulled open the door and stepped out. Both boys froze, realizing they were in trouble.


    "What the fuck is going on here?" I demanded, crossing my arms despite the pain that shot through my ribs.


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