Xena''s POV


    The public pool at Ryder''s pack territory wasn''t anything special, but at least it was free.


    An elderly caretaker sat at the entrance, barely ncing up as we walked in. We stored our belongings in the lockers before heading toward the water. The pool wasn''t particrlyrge, but fortunately, it wasn''t crowded today. A group of girls clustered in one corner, sshing andughing among themselves.


    At the edge of the pool sat a dark-skinned boy with a makeshift folding table in front of


    him. The table disyed neat rows of homemade lemonade and simple


    handcrafted bracelets. He wore a faded T-shirt and jean shorts that were slightly too small, with worn-


    out sneakers on his feet.


    I was curious why they allowed him to set up a stand by the pool. Before I could ask, Ama''s voice answered my unspoken question.


    "Two years ago, his father was killed in a Rogue attack. His mother died many years before


    that, so now he''s in the pack''s foster care system."


    Something about his story resonated with me-perhaps the early loss of his mother, mirroring my own experience. I couldn''t help but whisper, "Poor kid. Maybe I could give him a job."


    "Nn''s really good at drawing. You should see his work," Ama suggested.


    "I''ll consider it," I replied, my eyes still on the boy.


    Ama and I slid into the pool, and I noticed several girls ncing our way, but none approached. A small pang of disappointment hit me. In my father''s pack, people always came to greet me. Were they afraid? Nervous? Or did the Luna here forbid them from interacting with strangers? I would never be that kind of Luna.


    "Why don''t we buy some lemonade?" I suggested after swimming for a while.


    "I get what you''re doing," Ama winked, climbing out of the pool and walking toward Nn''s stand.


    A momentter, she returned with two cups of lemonade, a smile brightening her face.


    “Look!” She set the drinks on the poolside table and held up her right wrist to show me a shell bracelet.


    "Good job," I gave her a thumbs up, climbing out to join her on the lounge chairs. I took a sip of the lemonade, letting the tart sweetness wash over my tongue.


    "Ama... do you think... Ryder might be my mate?" The question left my lips before I could stop it.


    Ama saw through my worry immediately. She turned to face me, her eyes locking with mine. "Girl, look at me."


    I met her gaze, watching as her usually yful expression transformed into something


    determined and serious.


    "This isn''t like you. You''re never this indecisive. You''ve always been brave and confident.


    Trust your instincts and what you feel."


    I didn''t answer, just gave a slight nod.


    "Let''s make a bet. Loser gives fifty bucks," she proposed.


    "Ama... this is pointless..." I murmured.


    "Fifty dors!" she insisted.


    Knowing how stubborn Ama could be, I let out a resignedugh. "Fine."


    Ama shed me a satisfied smile, then nced at her phone. "Oh, shit, we need


    to go!"


    "Aren''t the guysing here?" I asked.


    "No, we''re going to meet them... sort of."


    "Sort of?" I raised an eyebrow, confusion evident in my voice.


    "We need to shower and change first. They''ve arranged a date for us."


    "Ah, so this was all to get me out of the house so they could prepare," I realized, suddenly feeling surrounded by a carefully nned surprise that made me both nervous and


    excited.


    "Don''t act so shocked. You figured it out ages ago."


    "True," I admitted.


    Weughed as we got into the car.


    "Drive slowly," I warned Ama.


    "Yeah, yeah," she rolled her eyes but did drive more carefully and steadily. Soon we spotted the pack house, with William standing at the entrance waiting for us.


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