Xena’s POV
“Samuel disobeyed orders, my father explained, his voice hollow. He was supposed to remain on the flank because I knew he was emotionally compromised. When he charged forward, they panicked and fired. He took a bullet, and your phone stopped another one. Dad’s eyes met mine, haunted. “Right over your heart. It saved your life.”
I ran my fingers over the cracked screen of my phone, still stained with my blood. My lifeline in more ways than one today.
‘Did they say what they wanted?” Benedict asked, his authoritative presence filling the small hospital room. Ryder sat beside me on the bed, his body tense, hand gripping mine so tightly it almost hurt
“They wanted me,” I said softly. My heart rate accelerated suddenly the fear rushed back le” their cold eyes still fixed on me in
my memory.
“You?” Benedict seemed incredulous, seeking confirmation.
“They didn’t say why. Just that they came for me.” My voice trembled “I thought about going with them, if it meant they would leave Ryder alone…”
“Never put yourself in danger for me, do you understand? Never!” Ryder’s hands cupped my face, forcing me to look into his eyes. They burned with anger and fear intertwined.
“Benedict, where do we stand now?” My father asked, his Alpha demeanor firmly in place despite the exhaustion lining his face.
“Xena saved my son’s life, then used her body to shield him. If my son is right, she’s as good as my daughter, as she is yours,” Benedict replied, his voice resolute.
“We hunt them together,” my father extended his hand.
“Kill every last one of them,” Benedict grasped it firmly, sealing their alliance. “And I must express my sincere condolences for the loss of your future Beta. Needless to say, anything you need is yours.
“Thank you,” Dad said, turning to look at me. “I need to go notify his parents.”
“I’m staying here,” I said immediately. The thought of leaving Ryder, even for a second, made panic rise in my throat. The fear of losing him still clung to me like a shadow, while Samuel’s death sat ke a boulder on my chest. I needed to ensure Ryder was safe before I could begin to process this brutal reality.
“I’ll stay with her,” Logan assured our father.
“We’re not going anywhere,” Benedict settled into a chair.
Dad kissed my forehead, his eyes lingering on my face. “I love you, kiddo.”
“I love you too, Dad,” I answered, fighting to keep my voice steady.
Dad and Leonard walked out of the room. Logan sighed heavily and sat down on the other side of the room.
“What did they say about your injuries?” I asked Ryder, my eyes tracing over the bandages visible beneath his hospital gown.
“Mostly tissue damage. Should heal quickly, but it did nick an artery. You really did save my life.” His green eyes held mine with an intensity that made my heart stutter.
1/3
Chapter 67
I nodded, looking down at the floor. Silence filled the room as we all processed what had happened, struggling to find words. The heaviness in the air was suffo ating.
Ryder pulled me gently back to him, letting me rest against his side Buddenly, a flash of light caught my attention, irritating me.
“What the hell, Logan?” I growled.
“How did you know it was me?‘ he chuckled softly.
“You’re the only one either stupid enough or brave enough to take pictures right now.” My tone conveyed annoyance, but inside, I felt a spark of warmth. Even in moments like this, Logan was still Logan Te” trying to make things seem less awful.
“Ama’s been blowing up my phone wanting to talk to you. I told her you were sleeping, but she doesn’t believe me.”
“Let William pick her up and bring her,” I said quietly.
“I think he’s already on his way to get her. She’s not taking no for an answer, and now that William knows Ryder’s okay…”
“Fine.” I opened my eyes and looked at Logan. “Logan, tell me the truth.”
“It’s not good. It’s going to take time.” His face was solemn, no trace of his usual mischief.
I nodded, closing my eyes again. Samuel’s smile flashed in my mind ” all those times we’d spent together, his protectiveness, his cafe. Now all those memories were stained with pain. I tried to control my breathing, fighting back tears while my heart felt like it was being torn apart.
“You didn’t even ask him anything?” Benedict looked confused by our brief exchange.
“They have this twin language thing. You’ll get used to it,” Ryder murmured.
Ten minutes later, we heard Ama’s voice echoing down the hallway. Where is she?!”
“I’m her Alpha, and she’s worried about you,” Ryder sighed.
“Get used to it,” I replied, just as Ama burst through the door.
She looked briefly surprised at the position Ryder and I were in, then moved toward me.
“I’m fine,” I said, sitting up as she wrapped her arms around me. Tears slid down both our faces. I felt her body trembling, and I couldn’t control my own grief either. In that moment, we needed no words, only each other’s presence to share this unbearable pain.
“I was so worried. Samuel is dead! He was like… our brother! He loved you, he truly did,” she sobbed.
“I know, Ama, 1 know.” My voice broke, filled with regret and guilt. He had died protecting me, and that fact cut through my heart like a blade, over and over again.
Ama grabbed tissues and wiped my tears, hugging me tightly once more. “Are you okay?” she asked Ryder.
“I’m fine,” he replied, his tone clearly unhappy.
I patted Ama’s shoulder, and William seemed to catch my hint. “Ama, give her some space to breathe,” William said, grabbing her shoulders and pulling her back slightly.
“Ryder?” William questioned, concern evident in his voice.
2/3
Chapter 67
I’m fine, brother, Ryder assured him..
“What exactly happened?”
Ama, would you mind going to the cafeteria and getting me something light to eat?” I asked, wanting to give us some privacy to explain.
“Of course!” Ama rushed out of the room.
“We were on our way back when someone drove by and started shooting. I took a bullet to the shoulder. We tried to drive away but I lost consciousness and crashed into a tree. Xeņa was thrown from the car. She bandaged me to stop the bleeding, then called her dad. Then she hid me and killed one of them. Samuel saved her, took a bullet meant for her, and she took one to the heart too.”
Ryder tossed his phone to William. “Your anger is misplaced. Don’t be mad at her.”
