Don't Poke the Luna (Xena and Ryder)

Chapter 15

Xena's POV

"No, I'm taking her to her brother. You go be with your friends."

"What? You're choosing her over me?" Helen stared at me with disgust, like I'd committed some unforgivable offense.

I felt irritation building in my chest, a nameless fire burning. Why did she have to make everything so complicated? I didn't owe her anything.

"I'm not choosing anyone," Ryder said firmly. "I'm just fulfilling a promise to her brother. This is why we could never work."

I caught a flash of hurt in Helen's eyes before she ran off crying. The emotional manipulation made me feel suffocated, and I sighed internally.

"Am I being too dramatic?" I half-joked, my voice tinged with bitterness. "You can go after her. I'm not your job." I added more seriously.

Ryder suddenly grabbed my hand, pulling me into a meeting room near the bar. It was rarely used, the air heavy with the scent of dust. He pushed me against the wall, his body pressed against mine. I could feel his body heat through the thin fabric, my heart racing as my body instinctively tensed.

"Tell me you don't want this. Tell me to stop," Ryder said, one hand circling my neck, tugging at my hair to force me to look at him. His other hand gripped my chin, his thumb

gently prying my mouth open.

I instantly lost my ability to speak, desire completely taking over my senses. I saw his eyes turn black, his wolf nature beginning to surface. My tongue

unconsciously licked his thumb, and that small action seemed to ignite the last thread of his rational thought.

With a low growl, his lips crashed down on mine. He held me tightly, kissing me so hard, so passionately, as if trying to melt me into his life. Only minutes later did he allow me to breathe again.

"I shouldn't be doing this," he backed away, guilt and regret crossing his face.

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Chapter 15

by an invisible hand. This feeling was worse than

shouted, the tremor in my

and headed straight for the bathroom. I entered a stall and sat down to

the sound of the bathroom door being locked. My sixth sense

bathroom. Help me," I quickly said through our mind link as I felt my stall

sis," Logan responded

bitch," It

you what happens when you steal someone else's boyfriend," another girl's voice snarled, along with a third girl's

was already calculating the possibilities and strategies for the fight.

want?" I

want you to stay away from Ryder. He's mine!" Helen jabbed her finger into my chest, the possessiveness in her tone making me want

while mentally assessing the situation: three against one, I could at least get a solid hit on one

between us. That was the

her in the teeth before the other two

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Chapter 15

her teeth, but the

shot through me, but the adrenaline kicked in, making the pain fade quickly. I felt endless rage and strength surge through me as I threw an elbow strike, hitting her nose and breaking it. I took two more hits to the ribs from the long-haired girl and Helen,

stupid bitch," Helen roared, kicking me hard in the back. The impact sent me crashing into the wall, my entire body feeling like it was falling apart. I leaned against the wall as the three approached me slowly. The bathroom lights flickered ominously, and I

the neck, slamming them against the wall. Logan went straight for Helen, grabbing her throat without hesitation. I looked at them both, relief washing over me as I took a deep breath. The price of adrenaline was the

followed.

Samuel roared, looking terrifying. The girls

in fear.

mess with my sister?" Logan's voice was

to snap