Xena''s POV


    "Are you ready?" Ryder asked, his voice cutting through the silence of the bedroom.


    I inhaled deeply, trying to steady the storm of emotions raging inside me. Standing before the closet, I hesitated for several seconds before deciding on a simple t- shirt and shorts-uplicated, just like my resolve in this moment.


    Ryder grabbed two shoulder straps and held them out to me. It took few minutes to adjust them properly, but I had to grudgingly admit they helped ease the stiffness in my shoulders. While Ryder made his final preparations, I stood before the mirror, examining myself.


    The fire burning in my eyes reflected back at me-that determination thates after being hurt, after being vited. From this moment forward, I was taking control of my destiny.


    "Yes, I''m ready. Come What may.",


    +


    "Good Let''s go." Ryder ced his hand at the small of my back, guiding me toward the door.


    The pack house was unnervingly quiet. I figured it was still school hours, but the unusual silence only made my nerves more taut. Each step felt like walking on the edge of a knife, my heart racing in my chest.


    As we approached Alpha Benedict''s office, I could hear his voice through the door. "Why are we here, Ryder?" His tone was already agitated.


    Ryder turned his head slightly to look at me, and I stepped forward. Because I wanted everyone here," I said firmly.


    Alpha Benedict seemed surprised as I brushed past him into the office without waiting for an invitation. Ryder was right behind me, and I could feel his authoritative aura expanding slightly. The door closed softly behind us.


    Alpha Benedict, Luna Kestrel, William, and Logan were all present. Alpha Benedict had activated the speakerphone; my father was on the line.


    "Hey, Xena. Good to hear your voice. How are you holding up?" Dad asked.


    "We''ll discuss my conditionter, Dad. I''m not here for pleasantries. walked to the front of the room. Ryder moved to the side but stayed close, arms crossed over his chest, his eyes never leaving me.


    "Well then, what''s going on?" Dad''s voice revealed his uncertainty about whether he wanted to hear what wasing


    "I''ve had enough," I stated simply, looking directly into Alpha Benedict''s eyes.


    "I''ve had enough of being sidelined. I''ve had enough of not being told everything that''s happening, and I''ve had enough of being told you''ll handle it. With all due respect, your handling didn''t prevent me from being kidnapped by Tatum. We won''t be sidelined anymore. From now on, we will be involved in everything. Every decision and every piece of information will go through us. I''m the one with the genius IQ. We won''t be hiding away on some stupid vacation while the packs are in trouble. I will not be the luna who hides when things get tough. Tatum and Wiley need to be eliminated."


    I maintained my expressionless face, my eyes never leaving Alpha Benedict''s as I stated each point. When I stopped speaking, the room was so quiet you could have heard a pin drop. No one spoke. Dad remained silent. Alpha Benedict just narrowed his eyes, and Luna Kestrel looked shocked, sitting back in her chair. I couldn''t see the expressions on William''s, Logan''s, or Ryder''s faces, but I could feel Ryder''s satisfaction radiating from where he stood.


    Are you sure that''s what you want?" Alpha Benedict finally asked after a long pause.


    "It''s not about wanting. I was horn to be luna. I was destined to be ated to a male alpha. Handling difficult times is in my blood. Being kidnapped won''t make the hide under the covers with my head buried beneath the nkets, I can and will handle anything thrown my way. Until now, you haven''t allowed me to show you what I''m truly capable of. You''ve kept me on the sidelines, in the dark. You''ve ignored me unless directly affected my daily activities Worse, you''ve ignored your son. You''ve shown no confidence in either of us. Now, I respectfully demand... cut the bullshit and let us take back control of this situation."


    "You think walking into my office and demanding such things will g you what you want?" Alpha Benedict said calmly, but with restrained anger.


    "You would have discarded any attempt I could or would have made you even had Luna Kestrel suggest we just focus on being mates and not worry about what''s happening. But that doesn''t work or me. Not anymore. You weren''t the one tied to a chair. You weren''t the one kicked and punched and inappropriately touched. You have no idea what I went through. So yes. Yes, I stand here demanding you let us be involved in the decision-making process. They made a direct attack on this pack. They kidnapped me! The future luna, and now I demand to be involved."


    Alpha Benedict stared at me, his jaw clenched tight. Luna Kestrel ced a hand on his arm.