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.

I heard a car approaching at high speed,

draped Ryder's arm over my shoulder and dragged

inside, a desperate courage burned-I wouldn't let anyone

by the sound of two or three people getting out,

out and play, pretty girl!"

muscular men with buzzcuts and a slender man in a suit emerged. The buzzcut men approached Ryder's car with weapons raised, searching for several minutes before noticing blood leading to the

the forest, I circled around to their car, approaching the suited man from behind. As I got closer, I caught their stench-Rogues. But this clearly wasn't random; they were targeting

slashing his throat with my claws. Blood sprayed everywhere as I grabbed his gun and aimed it at the Rogues

The two buzzcut Rogues

me.

I aimed at the

his face, nudged the

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

Chapter 65

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

not to react. Ignoring his demand,

with us and you'll find out." The first man impatiently pulled

raising it above Ryder.

couldn't risk it. Slowly, I dropped the gun, kicking it

man sneered and drove

my raised hands

threatening to spill over.

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

roar echoed through

too late. A bullet tore through his skull, brain matter and blood splattering across my face and clothes. I instinctively bent to retrieve

was knocked to the ground. Time

up, opening my eyes