Don't Poke the Luna (Xena and Ryder)

Chapter 52

Xena's POV

"You mean Helen, don't you?" Ryder spoke up before his father Benedict could process the meaning behind my words.

"Yes," I answered bluntly, catching Ryder's eye in the rearview mirror. My gaze turned cold. Just mentioning Helen's name stirred a wave of disgust inside me, but I didn't want to bring this negative energy into their home. "I don't want to cause trouble for your

family."

"Now this is interesting," Benedict chuckled. "In my pack, we believe in an eye for

an eye.

Fascinating."

"Oh?" I raised an eyebrow, mentally filing that information away.

"Of course, everything has its limits, but I'll make sure Helen won't be bothering you this week," Benedict turned back around. "It's good to have you here."

"Yeah, really glad you could come," Ama said.

I recalled what Logan had just told me and took a closer look at Ama. Her eyes and cheeks appeared slightly sunken, and she seemed to have lost weight. Her usual vibrant energy was significantly diminished. A pang shot through my heart seeing the once lively girl

reduced to this state, and I couldn't stay silent.

"I think we need to talk, Amara.'

DO

She just nodded, looking down. William wrapped his arm around her, holding her close against him.

"She's been under a lot of stress lately," William explained.

"That's alright. Let me help you sort things out. We'll stay home tomorrow and spend the

whole day focusing on what you need, okay?" I suggested softly, sensing Ama needed someone to confide in rather than more pressure.

"If I'd known that would get you to agree to stay home, I would have said that an hour

muttered under his

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Chapter 52

you still have a lot to learn about women," I

playing on my lips.

to puff out his chest, putting on a tough act that made

internally.

with that too," Ama asked,

"I've finished everything."

"All of it?"

of it. Unless my assistants

care

of," I replied.

Benedict asked, surprise evident

Ryder hadn't shared everything I' told him. I felt a small twinge of gratitude that he'd kept some

organizer for all school events. Well, at

said.

four years?" He turned

"Yes," I answered calmly.

mentioned your name," Benedict

was one of my conditions for doing it. I didn't want

explained, remembering the loneliness I

did you do it?" William

busy, to stay away from Mar..." I shrugged, not finishing

only sour my mood

was satisfying

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Chapter 52

can I join warrior training this week?"

anticipation. Combat training had always been my outlet for

skills while giving me peace

allow females of status

Ryder. Anger bubbled up inside

run the pack. Protecting them is

barely containing my fury.