Xena''s POV


    I spread out the photos of my shop on the floor, arranging them meticulously. Different angles, various perspectives-each one perfectly showcasing my store and the entire street leading up to it. My fingers trembled slightly as I studied them, a chill running down my spine as I realized what I was looking at.


    "I bet this is exactly the angle where you were shot, I said, pointing directly to where we had been standing that day. My heart raced as the pieces came together in my mind, the memory of that trifying moment making my throat tighten.


    "What are you talking about?" Alpha Benedict''s jaw dropped. The shock spread from his eyes to his stiffened shoulders, his entire body tensing.


    "What I''m saying is, this isn''t just about me.". My voice shook slightly but I forced myself to stay calm as I continued. "Yes, he wants me, but these photos show the exactyout of our pack. Each photos taken from a different angle. Look, here I am just sitting with Ama by the pool. There are five different angles of the same spot. When you cut them out and put them together, it shows the entireyout of the pool. I can connect it to the yground next door and the school in the distance. Can''t you see it? They have the entireyout of our territory!"


    My stomach clenched with fear, a wave of helplessness washing over me. These fucking photos weren''t just someone spying on me- they were a threat to the entire pack. My hands started shaking more noticeably, and I clenched my fists to control the physical reaction to my terror.


    Their eyes moved from one photo to another. It wasn''t until I ced them together that understanding dawned on their faces.


    "He knows where everything is located," Ryder said softly. I couldn''t bear to look into his eyes, hearing the fear in his voice that


    matched my own.


    "He knows exactly where to go to kidnap me. He knows what areas to avoid hadn''t fully grasped the situation.


    "I can''t believe this," Ryder said, rubbing his face with his hands.


    and


    how to get there," I exined again, in case they


    "That''s not even the worst part. Look!" I pointed to the borders of the photos, ice- cold dread pouring over me. "They know our


    schedule."


    Alpha Benedict''s eyes widened as if struck by a realization. He bolted from the room, leaving the door creaking in his wake.


    "Are you sure?" Logan asked me. I knew he wasn''t questioning my conclusion-he was just as stunned as I was.


    "I only nced at these photos before. It''s only now that I''m really studying them," I replied, my voice tense.


    Logan stood up and looked at Ryder. "I''ll send a team of warriors to strengthen the borders until youe up with a new n."


    "Okay," Ryder didn''t even try to argue. "We''ll also dere a state of emergency."


    "Good." Logan nodded, leaving the room with his phone already in hand.


    The room fell silent with just Ryder and me, the only sounding from the


    printer as it continued spitting out more photos. After a few minutes, Ryder walked over to stop the printer,


    "Don''t!" I shouted, my voice sharp with urgency.


    "Why?" he asked, his brow furrowed.


    1 need to make sure there aren''t other clues in these photos. These images might contain more secrets, more dangers, and I had to find them all.


    Ryder frowned but nodded in agreement.


    "Get Ama in here," I said without looking at him.


    "Ama?"


    "Yes, get her." I picked up another photo, continuing to cut them out and ce them in their appropriate positions. It was like a massive puzzle game. My fingers trembled slightly with tension, but forced myself to focus.


    Ryder sat on the couch, just watching me work.


    "What''s so urgent?" William walked in, looking down at me on the for.


    "X?" Ama followed behind William, her expression grave.


    "I need your help. Remember that puzzle we did when we were trying to test my


    my IQ?" I asked, not looking up from my task.


    "Yeah, it took us hours..." Ama came down beside me, kneeling on the floor.


    "I need you to do the same thing with me. These are the photos we found on the phone. Look! They''re not just about me-they show the entire packyout." My voice quickened with urgency, hoping she would understand the severity of the situation.


    "Holy shit..." William''s eyes widened as he stared at the photos on the Ryder and me having sex. My privacy wasn''t important right now.


    "Okay, I need scissors and a trash can," Ama said, looking around.


    "Trash can?" Ryder questioned, confusion in his tone.


    "To throw up in. This morning was rough."


    didn''t even care that some of the pictures showed


    I paused and looked at her. She was extremely pale and looked utterly exhausted.


    The observation pulled me from my intense focus on the puzzle.


    "Ama..." I said softly, concern filling my voice. My friend looked terrible, and I''d been so consumed with my own problems that I hadn''t even noticed her condition. Guilt washed over me.


    "I''m fine. I''m going crazy staring at the same walls. You can only hug a toilet bowl for turning her attention to the task at hand.


    SO long." She


    gave me a weak/smile before