Don't Poke the Luna (Xena and Ryder)

Chapter 32

Xena's POV

We all piled into the SUV, Logan taking the driver's seat. Leonard turned to me from the front passenger seat, his platinum blonde hair catching the evening light. "X, why did you have to crash my date with my girl?" he complained, his blue eyes narrowing in mock offense.

"Oh, I was just saving them from imminent danger," I shot back with a teasing grin, my lips curving into a bright smile.

While everyone continued their loud conversations, I gazed out the window, watching the trees blur past as we drove along the winding road leading toward pack territory.

"Xena! That drink you mixed was killer!" William called out from the back.

I turned, about to respond, when something caught my eye through the window -

a pair of yellow eyes glowing in the darkness, moving rapidly toward our vehicle. My heart

clenched instantly, fear coursing through my body like an electric current.

"Logan! ROGUE!" I screamed, but before the words had fully left my mouth, the feral

werewolf slammed into our SUV with bone-crushing force.

The impact was so powerful it sent our vehicle flipping onto its side. We skidded

across

the asphalt, metal screeching against concrete until we crashed into a tree with a sickening crunch. I felt glass shards embedding themselves into my skin, my ribs protesting the sudden assault. Warm liquid trickled down my face, but adrenaline was already flooding my system.

I spotted a Rogue trying to tear through the shattered windshield. Instinctively, I kicked up with both feet, catching it squarely in the nose and forcing it backward. Fear and determination mingled inside me - this wasn't the time to be afraid; it was time to fight.

I tried desperately to call forth my wolf, but failed. The attacking Rogue edged closer again, baring razor-sharp fangs, drool dripping from its mouth, its eyes wild with

madness.

to draw his attention. Logan was battling two Rogues fiercely, his form moving swiftly between enemies.

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Chapter 32

another Rogue blocked his

me.

flash of desperation crossed my vision. There was no time to wait. I chose to run toward the forest at the roadside. Twigs snapped beneath my feet as I ran with everything I had, but my injuries slowed me down. The Rogue pursued

step by step, its form growing larger, almost feeling the breath of

closed my eyes,

from deep within me,

restricted by human limitations. Una's power swept through me, the silver wolf

I'd

into its shoulder and tearing away a chunk of flesh from the bone. Blood stained her mouth,

wolf approached and snapped the Rogue's neck with one powerful bite. Una felt no gratitude, almost wanting to take a bite out

keep staring. More Rogues appeared. Ama was fighting as fiercely as the boys, but Leonard's date looked terrified. Una pushed her

two Rogues but seemed to be handling it. Leonard's wolf form was toying with his opponent, while Samuel had already killed his enemy and was looking for more targets. I guessed the stupid black wolf was Ryder, his

kill the two Rogues, all enemies within my sight had been eliminated. It seemed we'd

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Chapter 32

trunk. He grabbed

form. The T-shirts were large enough to cover the essential

girl Leonard had brought. Her small frame was curled up as if trying to meld with the soil she was lying on. Two leaves covered her face. "I-I think so," she stuttered, looking like she might go into shock any second. "Come on." I helped her to her feet, and Ama and I guided her to sit

I frowned, knowing there wasn't much I

here.

his head and paced anxiously back

injured?" Logan called

bleeding," Leonard suddenly noticed, staring at me in

head.

stickiness of blood. My heart rate accelerated as I realized I might be hurt worse than I

you're covered in glass." Samuel came over to check on me. His hand gripped my shoulder, forcing me to.look up

tweezers in the first aid kit," Logan said, rushing to the SUV's trunk

on a fallen log, holding