Don't Poke the Luna (Xena and Ryder)

Chapter 170 Xena's Pav Lagan's hand rested on my shoulder as silence filled the room.

1... I have so many questions, I finally sald, not knowing where to art. How could Nightcedar Pack be worth that much? What other investment profits did Dad have? What was in Florida? Why had Dad never taken us to Mom's house? "I know, but I can only stay a few more minutes, Logan said, his vode gentle. "What I can tell you now is that Dad kept Mom's house a secret because he didn't want Martha to destroy it. I only found out yesterday when Dad brought these documents here. He wouldn't tellwhat's in Florida, but the next page has a list of all is investments." I turned to the next page and my mouth fell open in shock, My eyes widened, unable to believe what I was seeing. The scale of wealth was beyond anything I'd ever imagined, each line of numbers makingrealize how much of my father's life remained a mystery to us.

"Did you know about this?" Logan asked, pointing at the document.

"No, not at all, I replied, feeling a tightness in my chest. "I knew we had more incthan what the pack actually produced. I knew about those farmlands too. He just owns the land. Humans actually farm it." My eyes continued down the list of all the investments my father was involved in, each new item making my heart beat faster. All these years, I thought I knew my father, but clearly, he had too many secrets I wasn't aware of. "Yale? UC Berkeley? What's this about?" I asked, confused, feeling like I'd suddenly discovered a treasure chest hidden for years.

"I'm not sure exactly what he owns or what he does there, but I checked. They're top art schools," Logan hesitated, glancing toward Ryder. "I think Dad wanted to make sure... if your mate turned out to be Samuel, you'd have a second option, the ability to go to art school and leave the pack. I think this was his way of both increasing incand making sure you had a backup plan." A complex mix of emotions swelled in my heart hearing these words. My father had never shown support for my artistic dreams, at least not that I'd noticed. But now it seemed he'd been paving the way forin secret. It madeboth touched and sad-why had he never just tolddirectly? "The rest of these are different restaurants or convention centers. This one's a hotel," I continued scanning the list, trying to understand my father's thinking, but none of it made sense. I pictured his serious face, imagining him planning all this alone late at night.

"Xena, Dad said he didn't need to explain his methods to me, but I believe he did this because he saw what our life was like," Logan's voice softened, carrying a hint of painful memories. "I've researched these. The first project he started was when we were seven. That was a few years after Mom died, and two years after he mated with Martha. I think he knew then that he needed a backup plan. If everything went south, we'd have enough money to live or escape. He kept expanding his empire. All we had to do was live long enough for him to leave." My throat tightened at the thought that my father had started planning our future so many years ago, while enduring life with Martha. He'd been carrying burdens we couldn't see.

"There's even a contact list of people here. Sare human government officials," I said in disbelief, my fingers trembling slightly as they touched the names. It was all too much, like reading a biography about a stranger, not my own father.

"I know. Dad's a businessman. He's not as smart as you; but your intelligence cfrom him," Logan said.

It all made sense now. He wantedto earn my own money, learn responsibility, rather than just givingeverything. Though he was probably also hiding all this from Martha's grasp.

"You're going to be a very wealthy man," I told Logan, trying to imagine how he would manage this vast empire.

1/2 Chapter 170 Dad knew I'd make sure you were taken care of no matter what. You have your portion, but obviously, whare mine is yours, Logan a gaze suhtened as he leaked at me, then lithed to Ryder. The ugli Ryder 18 more than capable of taking care of you and you needs. Needless to say, If you red anything...

When did Dad write this? I asked, already guessing the answer deep down, but not entirely sure wanted Wut not to know. It painedto think my father might have written these knowing his days were numbered.

On our birthday. When he found out you'd officially found your destined mate in Ryder and completed the bonding process. He knew you'd be happy, that you be well taken care of. During the events before our birthday, Ryder clearly demonstrated his commitment to you. When he got shot, he'd already toldhe was Iling in love with you. Both Dad and I knew you'd be safe, happy, and healthy." "He's been planning this all along..." I murmured.

"He started planning when we were seven. Dad played the long gameLogan flipped through the document pages. "I need you to sign now." His Theed hand trembled slightly as he handedthe pen. I took it. I knew that signing my nmeant accepting my father's departure, accepting this future he'd meticulously prepared for us. I took a deep breath, my eyes watering.

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