Don't Poke the Luna (Xena and Ryder)

Chapter 65

Xena's POV

"Ryder!" I screamed, my voice tearing through my throat as pain ripped through my body.

The car had slammed into a tree, and since I hadn't been wearing my seatbelt, I'd been thrown through the windshield onto the hood. When I slid down, excruciating pain shot through my legs, but I couldn't focus on that now. Whoever had shot at us could return any minute, and I needed to get Ryder out of here.

Night had fallen, and the wind howled around us, raindrops starting to fall. The only light came from the car's headlights, which cast eerie shadows across the wreckage. My heart hammered against my ribs, fear and worry tangling inside me, but I forced myself to stay calm. Ryder was about to become my mate-I had to save him.

I forced myself to stand, pausing as agony tore through my legs and lower back. I took several deep breaths, steadying myself before limping toward Ryder. It took three attempts before I finally wrenched the door open. Blood streamed down his arm, the vivid red making my throat tighten. I quickly stripped off my top and used it as a makeshift tourniquet, tying it above his wound. I hobbled to the roadside, found a sturdy branch, and used it to twist the tourniquet tighter, securing it with a hair tie.

My hands trembled as I searched his pockets for his phone. I had to tilt his head back to make the facial recognition work. Thank the Moon Goddess it unlocked, and I

immediately called his father.

"Ryder." Benedict's urgent voice came through the speaker.

"It's X," I said, struggling to keep my voice steady despite the rage and terror boiling inside me. "We just left the shop and someone drove by shooting at us. Ryder took a bullet to the shoulder. We tried to get away, but he passed out and we crashed. We're just past the iron bridge. Hurry, I don't know if they're coming back."

"I'm on my way!"

"My dad was heading to your place-I was on the phone with him when we crashed. Call him; I can't find my phone."

"Got it. What else do you need?"

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Chapter 65

*Ryder needs a doctor, or he'll lose his arm." My heart felt like it was being sliced open at the thought of Ryder losing his arm.

heard a car approaching at high speed, my heart nearly

over my shoulder and dragged him from the car, adjusting my grip before hiding him in the bushes by the roadside. I myself retreated into the

couldn't carry him far, but at least this would buy us time. Deep inside, a desperate

heard the car stop, followed by the sound of two or three people

and play, pretty girl!" A

taking shelter behind a massive tree to observe. Two muscular men with buzzcuts and a slender man in a suit emerged. The buzzcut men approached Ryder's car with weapons raised, searching

car, approaching the suited man from behind. As I got closer, I caught their

claws. Blood sprayed everywhere as

there, miss!" The two buzzcut Rogues had turned, their guns pointed

me.

I aimed at the first

long scar across his face, nudged the

my heart racing wildly, but I needed to stall. "If I'm going down, I'm taking one of you with me," I growled.

Chapter 65

gun down, and I'll let your friend go." He kicked Ryder

react. Ignoring his demand, I

us and you'll

raising it above Ryder. "Counting

movement. I couldn't risk it. Slowly, I

first man sneered and drove the knife down

a bitch!" I screamed, my

threatening to spill over.

his partner's sick game and maintained his expressionless face as he moved toward me, circling to get behind me. My body trembled as I fought to contain my grief, my mind still calculating

A familiar roar echoed through the forest. Samuel! That meant my father had

immediately raised his gun toward Samuel's voice, but he was too late. A bullet tore through his skull, brain matter

a massive impact in my chest and was knocked to the ground. Time seemed to freeze as a ringing

push myself up, opening my eyes to see Logan's