Don't Poke the Luna (Xena and Ryder)

Chapter 77

Xena's POV

We walked toward the entrance together, greeting each guest as they entered the tent. Pack members arrived one by one. Samuel's body lay at the front, and I deliberately kept my focus on the back of the tent. Only after everyone was seated did we see Ryder and the high-ranking members of his pack enter.

William walked straight to Ama. She collapsed into his arms, breaking down in tears once again. Ryder came to my side, placing his hand on the small of my back.

"Are you okay?" he asked in a low voice.

"Barely holding on," I answered truthfully.

Ryder shook hands with Leonard and Logan, and the others followed suit. When Ama finally released William, he joined the line of those offering condolences.

My body instantly stiffened when my father and Martha approached with Samuel's father. My heart raced, my throat tightened, and a sense of foreboding spread through me.

Samuel's father stopped in his tracks when he saw me. His face was

expressionless, his black eyes like bottomless pits. My father whispered something in his ear, and he lowered his head, walking straight past me toward the front.

But I wasn't lucky enough to escape Martha.

some nerve showing up here," Martha hissed, hands on her hips, eyes

sharp pain shot through my chest, shame and anger rising

be held responsible for Samuel's death. Perhaps they

my mind, making it almost impossible

won't always be around to protect you,"

1/3

Chapter 77

humiliation as punishment I deserved, accepted

filled with uncertainty. I didn't want to cause more conflict, didn't want to

you're sitting with us in the

I hesitated, feeling incredibly

be there," Ryder put his hand

furrowed brow and the determination in

for support as we walked down the aisle.

myself to keep my head high, though it took every ounce of strength I

fighting both the fear inside and the

on the left side, while we sat on

we were seated,

to remember one of our own. He left