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 anger- a mixture of helplessness, shame, and self-doubt. Was I really that

forget it ever happened!" I shouted, the tremor in my voice betraying my

me, I rushed out and headed straight for the bathroom. I entered a stall and sat down to pee.

door being locked. My sixth sense went on high alert, a premonition of danger making the

Help me," I quickly said through our mind link as I felt

on, sis," Logan

out, bitch,"

when you steal someone else's boyfriend," another girl's voice snarled,

I was calm, but inside I was already calculating the possibilities and strategies for the fight. Three against one wasn't. good, but I'd been taught how to handle situations

do you want?" I asked, my voice unnaturally

He's mine!" Helen jabbed her finger into my chest, the possessiveness in her

or I break your fingers," I warned calmly, while mentally assessing the situation: three against one, I could at least get a solid hit

stepped forward, closing the distance between us. That was the signal

do this. I quickly punched her in the teeth before the other two

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Chapter 15

at least one of her teeth,

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

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

Samuel burst in. Samuel quickly grabbed two of them by 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

followed.

the hell is happening here?" Samuel roared, looking terrifying. The

in fear.

to mess with my sister?" Logan's voice was dangerously calm as

snap in his grip as