Don''t Poke the Luna


    Xeria''s POV


    Sunday morning, Dad will officially step down as Alpha, Logan said his eyes fixed on Ryder. The ceremony will happen immediately after. I''ll be Alpha, and Penelope will be Luna Only a handful of people know-just us and your parents.


    His gaze shifted to Ryder, seeking some kind of confirmation. Once the ceremony ends, he''ll reject Martha, and I''ll lock her in the


    cells.*


    "He won''t survive the night," I whispered, my voice barelible even to my own ears. A sharp painnced through my chest as the realization hit me this might be thest time I''d ever see my fher. Despite our disagreements over the years, he''d been my rock, my hero. The thought that he was willing to sacrifice himself protect us made my heart clench.


    "He knows that," Logan replied, his voice thick with emotion. "But he can''t let this continue. You''ve found your mate, and I''ve found mine. Dad hoped this could wait until I was closer to twenty-five, so he could see his grandchildren, but things have to happen this


    way.


    Logan''s eyes shed ck momentarily before returning to normal. f Penelope gets pregnant and Martha causes a miscarriage..." He didn''t finish the sentence, didn''t need to. "This is the only way to stop her. Besides, Dad''s wanted to leave Martha for fifteen years. He stayed to make sure you were okay, that you had a mate who would take care of you, and that I was ready to step up. His mission isplete."


    Logan rubbed his eyes, as if trying to erase the memory of our fathers words. I could feel his pain-the crushing responsibility of not only carrying the weight of the entire pack but also facing the loss of our father.


    "Why Sunday?" I asked softly, unable to despite my attempts to mask it.


    the uncertainty and fear in my voice. I knew Logan could sense my emotional turmoil


    "He wants to make sure the job gets done, and he wants to see you in your dress onest time." Logan looked like he might break down at any moment. His strength made my heart ache; I knew he was just as broken inside as I was.


    "Why am I only hearing about this now?" I demanded, my voice carrying a hint of usation, but mostly confusion. My fingers twisted together so tightly my knuckles turned white.


    "Because you''re happy, Xena. Even with everything that''s happened, you''re happy. Dad didn''t want to cause you more pain. You''re loved here, treated like a princess..." I shot Logan a look, which earned me half a smile. "...you''re happy."


    I couldn''t argue with him. Ryder truly had made me the happiest person in the world. He was everything I could have hoped for in a


    mate, and more.


    "How much does Martha know about Sunday?" I asked, trying to gather my thoughts.


    "She thinks we''re just having a family brunch." Logan sighed, leaning back. "We''ll conduct the full ceremonyter. Right now, the prioritys protecting Penelope and doing what''s best for the pack."


    It sounded like Logan was still trying to convince himself this was the right decision. His shoulders drooped slightly, revealing his inner struggle. As an Alpha-to-be, he needed to appear strong, but I could see the uncertainty flickering in his eyes.


    "Penelope could stay here for a week," I offered, hoping to help.


    "Thanks, but I can''t leave the pack right now, and I can''t be away from Penelope for a week. Could you stay away from Ryder for a week? Logan looked at me doubtfully.


    didn''t answer immediately. Instead, I looked at Ryder and squeezed his hand. "I don''t even know what to say," I whispered, my throat tight.


    Only Alpha Benedict and Lund Restrel know. Wilm and Ama can only find out afterward. Only you firur can attend, William and Ama must stay here.


    We fell silent for several minutes, each lost in our own thoughts. My mind drifted back to special moments growing up-Dad pushing me on the swing, buying me my first art set, proudly disying my drawings for everyone to see. The memories yed like a movie in my head, each scene bringing tears to my eyes.


    "Xena..." Logan''s voice pulled me from my reverie.


    "What?" I blinked, struggling to focus.


    "Once Dad... if Dad... when I be Alpha, all properties and investments will transfer to me. We need to change the names on everything so Martha can''t im anything afterward. That includes your shop, our bar, and all thend." Logan pulled out a folder I hadn''t even noticed he''d brought.


    "Only you and Ryder can see this. Not even Alpha Benedict can look at it." Logan looked to Ryder for confirmation.


    "I promise," Ryder said as we both sat up straighter.


    "All the information is here. Penelope and I have signed. There''s also a copy of Dad''s will. I wish I could give you more time to review it, but I need to get these notarized by thewyer so everything''s in order. This way, Martha gets nothing, has no rights to anything.


    The folder felt impossibly heavy in my hands. It was my father''s final protection, ensuring that even after he was gone, Martha couldn''t hurt us. I bit my lip hard to keep from crying.


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