Xena''s POV


    I took a deep breath, trying to make my voice sound steady and reliable as I addressed the frightened faces before me.


    "You''ll be heading to Alpha Hank and Alpha Logan''s pack," I exined to the mother clutching her child''s hand tightly. "Logan is my twin brother, and that''s the pack where I grew up. Penelope is there waiting for you and will transfer you to the safe house until we can ensure your safety here."


    She didn''t ask any more questions, just nodded and continued soothing her child. I watched them, feeling a mixture of determination and sadness rise in my chest. No matter what, I had protect them-protect everyone.


    Delphine gave me a nod before closing the door.


    "Here you go," Ama approached, handing me a list. We had arranged for sixty- five people to ride in these vans. I knew they were. cramped, butfort wasn''t my priority right now. Survival was.


    After signing the paper, I handed it to Delphine, silently praying everything would go smoothly. "Drive carefully. Go fast, but stay safe.


    "Here''s a walkie-talkie to keep track of things. We''ll let you know when we arrive," Delphine said, handing me the device before closing the door. I stepped back, watching the vans start up and drive off in different directions, my heart heavy with prayers for their safe arrival.


    My gaze fell on the pack members standing around waiting for instructions, their eyes full of trust and expectation.


    "Thank you all foring on such short notice,” I announced. "The vans will return after dropping everyone off at their destinations. Please, sit down and rx-it''ll be a while before theye back. If anyone needs food or anything else, let one of us


    know."


    "William?" I heard Ama say softly beside me. She looked at me with questioning eyes.


    "Your needs matter more than mine," I gave her a small smile, watching as she first walked, then broke into a run toward William, jumping into his arms. I felt both happy and slightly empty seeing them together, but I knew it was right.


    "You did a good thing for her," Luna Kestrel said,ing to stand beside me.


    "It was the right thing to do," I replied, my heart aching for Ryder while also feeling relieved that Ama and her baby would have less stress. My emotions were a tangled mess, torn between love and duty.


    A few more minutes passed as we stood outside before the walkie-talkie crackled to life.


    ''Checkpoint one, all confirm," Delphine''s voice came through clearly


    "Wilson normal."


    "Eden normal."


    This continued for another twelve men, each confirming their presence. I only managed to breathe properly when Delphine finally announced their arrival.


    It took about five minutes to confirm each pack member and for them to turn around and head back.


    "One down," Luna Kestrel stated simply.


    By the time the vans returned, the sky had turned pitch ck, Some kids were still running around ying while others had fallen asleep on their parents''ps.


    Overall, everyone had started to rx, not as worried as before. They had the privilege of being in the dark about what was really happening-and that''s how I wanted it. They didn''t need to know unl they were safe.


    Ama organized another round of people onto the vans. After signing the papers, they drove off again into the night.


    Owls hooted in the distance, and everything felt eerily calm. Ama and William sat on the steps, looking up at the night sky together. Warriors were positioned around the perimeter, walking back and forth with vignt eyes.


    "William, when was the attack supposed to happen?" I asked through our mind link.


    "Eleven p.m.," he answered. I nced at my watch-10:34 p.m. Only twenty-six minutes until they would make their move. They were probably sitting in the darkness somewhere, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.


    "Has anyone gone looking for the third tunnel?" I asked, trying to control the anxiety in my voice.


    "No, they had to leave before we could go. Besides, we don''t even know where to start looking," William said reasonably, but it still left me with a deep unease, not knowing from where the threat mighte. It was too dark now for a proper search, which made


    me even more anxious.


    "Any news from Ryder?" I asked, my heart aching slightly with longing and worry.


    "Not yet. I''ll tell you if I hear anything." I nced at him. He was looking at me, but I couldn''t make out his face clearly in the darkness. I felt a wave of loneliness and vulnerability wash over me, but I couldn''t let those emotions control me right now. "How are you feeling?" he asked softly.