Xena''s POV


    I stared at Emmy, my heart pounding against my ilbcage like trapped animal. ''Is this good enough?" I asked, uncertain if I was projecting the strength and leadership everyone needed right now.


    "Yeah, it gets the point across," she nodded, her blonde curls bouncing with the movement.


    "I guess we should head out there and get ready." The words left my lips, but my feet remained rooted to the floor. My pulse raced, anxiety coursing through my veins. This was so much bigger than anything I''d faced before.


    "I''ll be right beside you," Emmy extended her hand toward me, her unwavering confidence giving me the courage to continue.


    "Thank you." I took a deep breath and grasped her hand, following her into the hallway. The atmosphere hadpletely changed. Panic and chaos reigned. More than once, we were bumped into by people rushing toward the main hall, each collision making me more aware of the gravity of the situation.


    "Everyone, listen up!" Ryder''s authoritative voice cut through the noise, surprising even me. This was the first time I''d heard him speak like this, and the power in his voice made my heart skip a beat "Make sure you have all necessary equipment. Double-check everything!"


    As we entered the hall, Ryder immediately spotted me. Our eyes locked, concern and determination mingling in his gaze. That brief look offered me a smallfort despite the surrounding chaos.


    "Check your ns, and if you need to use the bathroom, do it now. You won''t be allowed to for the next several hours."


    Ama and I paused, standing at the back of the room. Everyone moved shoulder to shoulder, tightening straps on each other''s backs. Dressed entirely in ck, theirbat clothes looked lethal. Most had face coverings pushed down around their necks, while others had painted their faces with ck and green camouge.


    Ryder approached us. "What are you doing?"


    "Going to the foyer to put people in the correct order," I replied, my voice betraying a slight tremor. This was my first time being seen by the pack, and sympathetic nces wereing from nearly everyone.


    "Come on." Ryder took my hand and led us to the front door and out onto the porch. He had changed into ckbat pants and wore a spandex ck long- sleeve shirt. His face was partially covered with green and ck paint.


    "I thought you weren''t going," I said, studying him.


    "I''m not. I''m prepared just in case something happens here," Ryder answered without looking at me. Several people were already walking toward the pack


    house in the distance. "I have four vansing to transport people. There weren''t any SUVS left."


    "That''s fine. I figured as much."


    "You''re doing great," Ryder said, still not meeting my eyes.


    "I''m still missing something, and we both know who knows what that is."


    Leave it to me. You focus on getting everyone out of here," Ryder said, his wordsnding like a stone in my heart. I didn''t want to disappoint him.


    "Xena!" Luna Kestrel came running out of the pack house, calling my name loudly.


    "Mom". Ryder a voice carried obvious annoyance, and I could feel his entlon rising further.


    I''m here to help, she said, giving Ryder an irritated look, I stood there, feeling awkwardly caught in the middle, but this wasn''t the time to deal with family disputex


    Cars pulled up. "Penelope is sending more vehicles, and they''re checking the roads to make sure they''re safe," I told Ryder, Ignoring Luna Kestrel. Though she was the former Luna, this was my moment to step up, even if I still felt nervous.


    "Great. That will speed things up. A sh of approval crossed his eyes, giving me a small boost of confidence.


    "Ama, why don''t you and Luna Kestrel start sorting people into their groups? Give them a ce to stand and wait, I said to my


    friend.


    "I''m on it," Ama nodded in response.


    More people began to arrive. It would be faster if we worked bit by bit rather than waiting until everyone showed up before starting.


    "Tell me everything''s going to go ording to n," I whispered to Ryder. He released my hand and wrapped his arm around me.


    "It''ll go better than nned, his voice carried a certainty that I wished I could feel.


    "Ryder." Alpha Benedict''smanding voice made both Ryder and me tense up immediately. A chill ran down my spine the Alpha''s tone never heralded good


    news.


    "What is it?" Ryder looked around. His father stood in the doorway, his expression grave.


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