Xena''s POV


    "Oh, I think Luna Xena is handling her trauma remarkably well. She still out here doing what needs to be done for our pack. She''s not thinking about herself right now, and I think that shows how brave she is. William''s defense made my heart skip a beat, gratitude washing over me for his support.


    "Suppressing trauma isn''t healthy either." Luna Kestrel''s voice was gentle but concerned. "She''s been pacing back and forth, jumping at every sound."


    My stomach clenched every pime Lama Kestrel spoke about me like this, as if I weren''t even present. I knew she meant well, but it still stung.


    "I don''t me her for that. I think anyone would after being kidnapped. You heard her recording." William''s reply was firm, supporting me in his own way.


    "Yes, I have... just keep an eye on her, alright?" Luna Kestrel''s voice seemed to be moving away from William


    I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself. They were all just worried about me, I reminded myself. They cared.


    William walked out and closed the door behind him just as the vans returned. He approached me while Ama stood up and began organizing people into the vehicles again. He gave me a look but said nothing. Instead, we watched as everyone climbed into the yans. There was onest group to go, and we still hadn''t received any news. William checked his phone. Nothing. I wasn''t sure that was good or bad.


    Anxiety swirled in my chest like a trapped bird. What did no news mean? Were they still alive? I tried not to let panic seep into my thoughts.


    "How long is the mission supposed to take?" I asked as the vans drove away. "Hard to say. Depends on whether they run into any unexpected situations." "What if everything goes smoothly?"


    "Not certain. Maybe an hour or two. We''re not exactly sure about theyout and what''s inside. They might discover something that changes the n."


    My mind drifted to the countless ways things could go wrong. Would they get hurt? Captured? One horrible scenario after another shed through my mind.


    "Logan went with them," I stated, my voice tighter than I wanted it to be. "Yes." William nced down at me.


    "And my dad... Something in his gaze made my heart clench. Was it worry? Or was he hiding something from me?


    "Yes," William answered again.


    The two most important people in my life were out there, risking everything. The thought made my stomach churn. If I lost either of them...


    "So Leonard is over there guarding the pack."


    "Along with most of their warriors," William sighed.


    Chapter 222.


    "Are you going to send Ama with thest group?" I looked up at him


    There was a slight tremor in my voice, and I hoped he didn''t notice


    didn''t want to lose anyone else.


    William looked down at me seriously.


    "What about me?" Ama walked over to us, slipping under William''s n.


    "Xena asked if you were going to go on thest group of people going over, William exined.


    "Oh!" Ama looked surprised.


    "I wasn''t sure if you would feel safer there. With everything going on I wouldn''t be upset if you wanted to go. It might even give our pack a familiar face to make it morefortable."


    "Do you think I should go?" Ama looked up at William.


    "I want you safe. I want our baby safe," William answered tenderly, his eyes filled with love.


    "We don''t know how long they will even be over there for." Ama looked down. "I might be away from you for days if not weeks!"


    "I doubt it would be that long, but he would be able to visit you," I promised.


    "Maybe it''s not a bad idea." William looked down at her.


    "I''ll give you guys some privacy to talk about it," I said as I walked away. I needed


    to sit down. My shoulders were hurting, and so were my feet. Sitting down on the step, I stared off into the stars. It wasn''t until the vans showed up again that I snapped out of my


    trance.


    Standing up, I watched as the rest of our pack members got into the vans. William walked Ama over and put her in the front seat next to Delphine. After everyone was in, William shut the doors.


    "Is that everyone?" Delphine asked.


    "I believe so. Thank you for doing this," I said, genuine gratitude washing over me.


    "It''s my honor. Everything''s been smooth so far. One more trip and we''re done. I''ll have Alpha Logane for the walkie-talkjeter. That way you''ll still hear if we make it safely."


    "Thank you so much," I said, and Delphine nodded, getting into the driver''s seat.


    "Be safe!" Ama leaned forward to call out to me.


    "You too," I waved gently, then stepped back, watching the vans drive out of sight for the final time.


    My heart sank as Ama left. I was going to miss her terribly.


    "This sucks," William sighed, cing his hands on his hips.


    I nodded silently, staring at the empty space where the vans had been.