Xena''s POV


    "Wow!" Ryder dodged my punch with surprising agility.


    He grabbed my wrist in one swift motion, pinning me against the wall and kicking the door shut behind us. "That''s not very friendly, he murmured, his lips hovering dangerously close to mine, his breath hot on my face, making my heart race. uncontrobly.


    His body pressed firmly against mine-damn it, my body was betraying me, the electric currents from our soul bond making my knees weak, stirring a longing deep inside nie that I couldn''t exin way.


    "Fuck you," I whispered breathlessly, trying to push him away but finding my body responding to his touch, bing weaker by the second.


    "Mmm, I''d be honored." I felt the change in his body, that distinctly male part of him hardening against me. Using every ounce of strength I had, I finally managed to push him away-though my wolf instincts protested loudly at the action.


    "I can''t believe you!" My voice trembled, anger and betrayal mingling together in a toxic cocktail. "First, I find out you''ve been having meetings about Vi behind my back, then I walk in on you having a private meeting with Helen! Your father opened the challenge to everyone, but you stormed off this morning without saying a word to me! Did I miss anything else?" By the end, I was practically snarling at him.


    Ryder just stood there, infuriatingly sexy, arms crossed over his chest, eyes slightly narrowed as he watched me continue my tirade. His calmness only infuriated me more-why could he stay soposed while I was falling apart like a madwoman?


    “Hmm.” He merely hummed, which stoked my anger even more.


    "What gives you the right to keep things from me?" My voice shook. I thought we were equal partners! We''ve only been marked for one day, and you''re already treating me like a subordinate!" I started pacing the room, trying to expel the fury building inside me, but with each step, I could feel his eyes tracking me. "I told you from the beginning I''d rather be single than treated as less than! Just because I don''t regret initiating the challenge, you think you have the right to be angry and walk away? You should be supporting me! I—”


    Ryder suddenly grabbed my arm, pulling me to him. His lips crashed against mine, effectively silencing me. At first, I tried to push him away, but it waspletely futile. One hand pressed against my waist, the other cupping my face. His thumb moved slightly, as if threatening to grip my throat, and the gesture sent heat coursing through my body. My resistance was rapidly fading.


    "Are you..." he ced a kiss on my neck. He continued speaking between these sweet tortures. "Ready... to listen... now? His hands had moved to my ass. Moving lower, he lifted my leg to wrap around his waist.


    "No.." I moaned as he licked over my mark, the soul bond sensation nearly driving me insane. He picked up my other leg, rrying me toward the couch. Setting me down, he trapped me between the sofa and himself. Even if I wanted to escape, there was nowhere


    to go.


    He grabbed my hands and held them above my head. "Let me go," I sighed.


    "Not until you hear my exnation." Ryder waited until I met his gaze.


    "Fine, then please try to exin the betrayal I felt today." I used my most sarcastic tone.


    "First, you''ve known from the beginning I hated this challenge," his voice was low and serious.


    Yeah, because Helen was your girlfriend and you just want to protect her," I spat out.


    "Wrong." He said firmly. He kept one hand gripping my wrists while the other cupped my face. His thumb stroked my cheek gently, the tender gesture almost making me forget my anger. "I broke up with her the day she disrespected you at the pizza ce. I was never that invested in her. The moment I kissed you at the club, I knew you were my destined mate. I love you, Xena. I''m concerned about your safety. I''ve never seen you fight, only seen you get hurt over and over again. Every day, you experience physical or emotional pain. I just want one day where you don''t get hurt."


    I couldn''t argue-he was right. "What about hiding the meeting?" I pressed.


    1


    Ryder rolled his eyes, but I could see the guilt in them. "I was going to tell you after the challenge was over. I wanted you to focus on the challenge, not be distracted by the meeting. William will pay for that."


    "And the meeting with Helen?" I asked through gritted teeth.


    "Honestly, I went to the office to cool down before your match so I could better


    support you. She walked in just a minute before you entered. I didn''t even have time to speak. She came in demanding 1ncel the challenge."


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