Don't Poke the Luna (Xena and Ryder)

Chapter 14

Xena's POV

"What's Ama short for?" William asked, his eyes never leaving her face.

"Amara," she replied, her voice softer than I'd ever heard it.

“Such a beautiful name." William's fingers brushed lightly against her cheek, and I swear I

could see Ama melting under his touch.

I leaned closer to Ryder and whispered, "Is he always like this?" My movement caused Samuel to snort beside me. I could feel his disapproval radiating through our pack link.

"No, he's acting weird today," Ryder replied, his green eyes studying his friend with

curiosity.

"You think they're mates?" I asked, watching the pair who seemed lost in their own world.

"We'll know soon enough." Ryder showed me his watch. Fifteen minutes until midnight- when Ama would officially turn eighteen and would know for certain if William was her

destined mate.

"Let's dance!" Cindy exclaimed excitedly, already tugging on Leonard's arm. He stood up, allowing her to drag him away. He threw a questioning glance at Samuel and me. "X!

Samuel!"

I shook my head, declining his invitation without looking at Samuel's expression. Leonard frowned slightly before following Cindy into the crowd.

"Don't want to dance?" Logan asked, looking at me curiously.

"I do, but I'm more interested in seeing what happens here." I nodded toward William and Ama, who were still completely absorbed in each other.

"Me too!" Keira bounced excitedly in her seat. "What if we're destined mates? We'll know

soon!"

I felt Logan's discomfort at her words. He tugged at his collar nervously. Ryder leaned

me. "He doesn't

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Chapter 14

gave him a polite smile but didn't answer. He seemed to

meet Luna standards," Ryder nodded in

our table, looking stressed. "Ms. Xena, I'm so sorry to bother you,

it?" I

system is malfunctioning, and we can't figure out how to

right there." She sighed with relief and walked

can't do?" Ryder asked suddenly, leaning in

eyes with a

I plucked the cherry from my drink and placed it between my

sure why I was flirting with him like this, but something about those deep green eyes made me

common sense. For a moment, I forgot where we were, forgot that we barely knew each other. I just wanted to know what would happen if I

staring at Ama intently. "Mate," he said, his voice thick with

and then they were

intensity, but they were

then," I said, starting to slide out of

you going?"

I replied, confused

Logan sighed, starting to

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Chapter 14

I want to dance!" Keira complained, pouting at him. Logan's

annoyed.

go with her. I promise, I'll protect her," Ryder offered, easing the

as I left

never needed anyone to protect me, and no one

of saving are you referring to?" Ryder caught up quickly, grabbing my arm at the

kinds," I

where I'm standing, you need at least one kind of saving, or is my nose deceiving me?” The gleam in his eyes caught me off guard as his gaze dropped to

him against my better judgment. Deep down, a voice was screaming for me to keep my distance,

closer. There was something magnetic about Ryder that

invisible thread pulling us