Chapter 223
Xena’s POV
I turned to head upstairs. I settled onto the porch swing, letting the gool night air brush against my skin. William followed me but hesitated before sitting down beside me.
After a long silence filled only by the distant calls of night creatures he finally spoke.
“Aren’t you going to sleep?” he asked quietly.
I looked at him as if he’d asked the most ridiculous question in the world. “Are you planning to sleep until they come back?”
“I guess not,” William admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.
“Still no word from them?” I asked, even though I already knew the answer. My heart ached with each second of silence that followed.
“No, è replied simply.
We fell back into silence after that. Different warriors made their way onto the porch, taking seats nearby. Nobody was going to sleep tonight, not until our people returned. Yet no one spoke a word. We just sat there, listening to the frogs croaking and owls hooting in the darkness.
At some point, I rested my head against the chain of the swing and closed my eyes. I started imagining what it would be like when my shop reopened. Saying I missed it was an understatement. That shop meant everything to me.
Suddenly, I felt a surge of energy pulse through my body. My wolf was back!
“Una!” I exclaimed, straightening up immediately.
“What?” William asked, startled by my outburst.
“Una’s back!” I repeated, unable to contain my excitement. A wave of energy rippled through me. It felt strange, like my body was waking up after a long sleep. I felt more vibrant, more alive. Instinctively, I stretched my arms and rotated my shoulders. Everything moved smoothly, without pain. My wolf’s return had accelerated my healing.
While I was still reveling in the joy of my recovery, William nudged my leg to get my attention.
“Xena,” he said urgently.
“What is it?”
He nodded toward the road, and that’s when I heard it too – the sound of engines approaching, Turning my head, I saw our black SUVS slowly making their way toward us. The warriors around us got to their feet, but I was the first to rush forward. As the car doors opened and men began to climb out, my eyes frantically searched for Ryder.
I couldn’t read the atmosphere. No one was smiling or crying. No one seemed to be covered in blood or carrying bodies. Each second felt like an eternity as my heart hammered wildly in my chest.
Finally, my gaze locked onto the most beautiful green eyes I’d ever seen. Ryder slid out from the passenger seat, looking straight at me. The relief that washed over me was overwhelming. I closed my eyes, having to take several deep breaths to calm my racing heart. As he came around the SUV, I ran down the remaining stairs and threw myself into his open arms.
He held me tight. One arm wrapped around my shoulders, the other cradling my head as he kissed my forehead s al times before
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Chapter 223
resting his cheek against it. The pressure made my shoulders ache, I didn’t care at all. I felt sparks throughout my body, carrying away all my anxiety. Even though my arms weren’t encircling him, I still gripped his shirt tightly. This man was my everything.
“Well?” 1 heard a warrior ask.
“Everything went exactly according to plan. They didn’t expect a thing and it went off without a hitch, Alpha Benedict announced triumphantly.
All the warriors started cheering and howling up at the moon. I was incredibly thankful for this outcome.
“William,” I heard Ryder say.
“All’s good, man.” William walked over, and I felt Ryder let go of my head to shake William’s hand.
“Thank you,” Ryder said sincerely, and I could feel how much he meant it.
“Anytime,” William ansyered before I heard him start to walk away.
“William?” I peeked out from behind Ryder’s arm.
“What?“/
“Come to our room,” I said simply, not elaborating further. I knew Ryder was confused, but thankfully he didn’t question it.
William looked at me for a second before nodding. He reached down and took Ryder’s bag.
Ryder’s arm didn’t leave my body as he moved me to his side and followed William. We were the last of the warriors to come inside the packhouse. Everyone was making their way to their rooms but being rather quiet about it.
We didn’t talk either until we were in our bedroom and the door was locked.
“What happened?” Ryder asked as he went over to the couch and set me down. Even now, he maintained that commander’s composure, but I could feel the tension in his muscles.
“Show him,” I said to William. My voice was more steady than I’d expected it to be.
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