Xena''s POV


    "Don''t you dare hug that bitch!" Martha''s shrill voice filled the room her eyes burning with hatred as she red at me.


    My heart pounded against my ribcage, a familiar rage igniting inside me. After years of her abuse, she still thought she had the right to speak to me this way? In front of everyone?


    I straightened my spine, squaring my shoulders as I faced hey. "Keep talking and I''ll make sure you never speak again. This is my pack now, and you will not disrespect me. One more word out of your mouth, and you''ll be banned from this territory,"


    "You wouldn''t ban your father!" Martha looked genuinely shocked.


    A chill ran down my spine, but it was quickly reced by a determination I''d never felt before.


    "No, I wouldn''t ban him. Just you!" The words left my mouth with a finality that even surprised me.


    Martha''s face contorted with disbelief as she turned toward Alpha Benedict and Luna Kestrel for support. "Alpha Benedict! Are you going to allow her to speak to me this way?" Fake tears glistened in her eyes.


    "Yes, we allow it," Alpha Benedict replied calmly. "You see, since meeting this exceptional young woman, we''ve observed how much abuse she''s suffered at your hands. You''ve verbally and physically abused her, and that will not be permitted to continue. She is no longer a member of your pack, but ours. She is under my protection, and if she wishes to ban you, then banned you shall be. I


    suggest you close your mouth and show some respect."


    Warmth spread through my chest at his words, and I shot him a grateful look. Martha stood there, mouth agape, then turned to look at my father.


    "Sit on the couch and let us finish this meeting," my father sighed, his voice heavy with resignation.


    Martha''s eyes filled with tears as she stood and walked toward the couch. She deliberately sat as far away from us as possible, and could hear her quiet sniffles. As if she was trying to make us feel sorry for her. Pathetic.


    "As I was saying," Alpha Benedict continued, turning back to my father, "the Rogues are awake and ready for interrogation."


    "I want to be there," I stated firmly. I felt all eyes in the room shift to me in an instant.


    "What? Why?" My father''s confusion was evident in his voice.


    "They came to kidnap me, and I want to be present when the information is extracted. I''ve had warrior training and been involved before. I''ve been inbat, I''ve killed before, and clearly beating people isn''t umon for me. I should be there." I kept my voice calm and steady, wanting my father to know this wasn''t a rash decision.


    "Alright, let''s go," Alpha Benedict stood, patting my father on the shoulder.


    Luna Kestrel''s eyes widened, but she kept her mouth shut. Martha, thankfully, remained silent as well.


    "Kestrel, please watch our... guests," Alpha Benedict murmured to his mate before nting a quick kiss on her cheek.


    "No problem, Luna Kestrel frowned, crossing her arms as she sat down.


    After you, Alpha Benedict gestured for me to lead the way.


    Ryder held the door open for me. As we walked out of the pack house, halfway down the path, my father spoke again.


    *Are you sure you want to do this, X?" The concern in his voice was unmistakable.


    "Yes, Dad. I need to know. I met his eyes, trying to erase any doubts he might have about my decision.


    "You should understand that not all interrogations are done with fists. All forms of torture will be used to extract information."


    That gave me pause. My mind shed with countless sickening tortures, sending a chill up my spine. My heartbeat elerated as nervousness crept in, but I forced myself to remain calm.


    "That''s fine. I can handle it."


    "Alright, but if you need to leave or make an excuse to step out, there''s no shame in that." He was giving me an out.


    "Dad... I promise if I feel ufortable, I''ll leave. Okay?" I softened my tone, realizing that no matter how old I got, he would always worry about me.


    This seemed to satisfy my father, as he made no furtherment.


    What I noticed was how everyone''s demeanor changed. There was no warmth in Ryder''s green eyes. Instead, they had darkened, ready for the taste of blood. When my father stopped speaking, he too transformed, beginning to exude his authority. It almost made me want to step back. His chest puffed out, his shoulders and arms seeming to grow three inches, his aura pulsing around him. Alpha Benedict also seemed to growrger. Everything about these men magnified within minutes.


    A guard stood at the entrance, holding an AK-47. Only his hair moved in the wind as he remained on high alert, his finger hovering above the trigger. Chapter Comments


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