Don't Poke the Luna (Xena and Ryder)

Chapter 30

Xena's POV

"Are we in a place where I can joke without getting punched?" William asked, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

I leaned back against the leather seat of the SUV, feeling the tension from earlier slowly

melting away. "Sure, you're fine. Ama is basically my sister, so by extension, you get to be my almost brother-in-law."

"Does that mean I can borrow your brains too?" William asked, half-joking but with a hint

of seriousness.

"Ha! In your dreams!" I laughed, the sound surprisingly genuine even to my own

ears.

Logan reached over and squeezed my shoulder gently. I took a deep breath, nodded at him, and smiled. This was our thing-our silent communication that needed no words. A simple gesture was all it took for me to feel his support and comfort.

"You twins are something else. Like you have your own language," William commented,

watching our interaction.

"You have no idea how freaky it can be," Leonard chimed in for the first time.

I turned to look at him, curiosity in my eyes. "What's so freaky about it?"

"The way you know what each other is thinking without the mind link. He just looks at you and knows, and vice versa." Leonard crossed his arms, his blue eyes narrowed slightly.

I felt a swell of pride in my chest. My connection with Logan was one of the most precious gifts in my life. "Jealous that Logan and I have a better relationship than you guys?" I asked with mock concern, my voice playful.

Leonard looked uncomfortable. "Gross."

We all laughed as the SUV pulled up to the club. It was still early, so the place wasn't

packed yet.

The bouncer nodded to us, and we headed straight upstairs to the VIP section. A waitress

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Chapter 30

us to take our drink

I get for you

Just thinking about it made my nerves relax. I needed this tonight-needed to forget everything,

a little while.

"Miller, bottled," William said.

Ama

whiskey too," Logan

Ryder said, though he

and Sprite," Leonard ordered in a flirtatious tone,

noticed

on draft,"

it. Be right back," Jovie said before heading off to

Alpha Benedict so interested in Blade's intelligence?" Leonard

casually.

liking being the center of discussion. Despite handling

much, plus she openly challenged Helen. Not many girls in our pack care about

got a bunch of girls who cry when they break a nail,"

tone more irritated than I'd intended. "Sorry,

replied, trying to make my voice sound

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Chapter 30

like for the next few

challenge. Next Saturday is the dance, and the week after that is the

is the spelling bee, but we don't have to go

in the

Penelope finished my to-do list, so I just have the checkbook

Logan grinned at

thanks a lot!" I responded

we go!" Jovie placed our drinks in front

took a big gulp of whiskey, feeling it burn all the way down my throat. The

me temporarily forget

responsibilities.

take another one of these," I