Don't Poke the Luna (Xena and Ryder)

Chapter 72

Xena's POV

Ryder grabbed my hand. "We are okay. Please excuse us." The girls stared at us

in shock as

we walked away.

As soon as we reached the kitchen, an older kitchen worker approached us. "Alpha Ryder, Ms. Harris! Would you like me to prepare something for you to eat?"

"Yes, thank you," I answered after sitting down.

"What would you like?" she asked.

Ryder looked at me. I shrugged. "Anything simple would be fine. I'm just hungry."

"Of course, dear." The worker smiled and headed to the refrigerator to gather ingredients.

We watched as she prepared cold cut sandwiches for us. She also put together a bowl of fruit and a side of pasta for each of us.

"Thank you," we both said as we took our food and plastic forks and left.

"This way," Ryder said, heading toward the front door.

"Oh?" I was surprised, having assumed we'd eat inside.

"The sunshine will do you good."

We walked a short distance to a picnic area. It was like a small park, with children

too young for school running around playing.

"This feels nice,” I said, taking a deep breath and feeling the warmth of the

sunlight instantly brightening my mood.

"I like to come out here to eat when the weather's good," he said.

I looked at his profile, suddenly wanting to know more about this man. "What else

do you

like?" I asked sincerely.

"Well, I don't know. I like watching you work."

1/4

4:12 pm t

Chapter 72

with the deflection.

I'm the only one

I've told you plenty about myself,"

reading, stargazing, Sunday drives, hanging

basic

paused for a moment, seeming to genuinely think about

"I'm a movie buff."

"What type of movies?"

types. From black and white

Rambo kind of

"Zootopia's pretty good too."

made me laugh out loud. "I just can't

"I also collect books."

like

you've got. I have a few

books in the free section of the library when

raised an

myself.

"Yes, 99.9% sure."

"Why's that?"

wolf calms yours very quickly. Faster than he can. Plus

reaction to my touch."

told you about our wolves?" For

2/4

Chapter 72

discuss this

he wanted

"And would you?"

I thought you'd agree, I'd tell the whole pack you're my

frowned at this. "Does my

right word. Maybe nervous or anxious, but the

is still

me. I

people

the rest.

"Not smart?"

smart, but that's not your only quality.

words caught me off guard, and I blinked several times. "Thank you."

so I took another bite of my

told you that before?" Ryder asked,