Don't Poke the Luna (Xena and Ryder)

Don't Poke the Luna

Chapter 95

Xena's POV

"No, Ryder, I'm not okay," I said wearily, leaning against the bathroom counter.

"I don't like this situation either. I could have-"

"No, Ryder," 1 cut him off, my voice sharp. "I'm not okay because everyone seems to think they need to keep things from me. I'm a fucking adult now, and the Luna of this pack. Mates shouldn't have secrets. You had no right to hide that from me. We're supposed to be equals! I expected this from them, but not from you."

Ryder took my reprimand with appropriate shame spreading across his features. "You're right. I'm sorry."

I didn't answer. My reflection stared back at me, anger still evident the tightness around my eyes, the slight downward pull of my lips. Ryder moved closer, his hands gently running up and down my arms. He stood behind me, meeting my gaze in the mirror, his eyes filled with apology. "I just wanted to protect,you."

"Some things, you can't protect me from," I replied, feeling my anger begin to recede. Deep down, I understood his intentions, but that didn't make his actions right.

"I know. I'll remember that."

Iturned to face him, and Ryder pulled me into his embrace. "I'm still mad at you," I muttered against his chest, though I could

already feel my anger dissipating like morning mist.

"I know," Ryder said, tilting my face up and placing a gentle kiss on my lips. That kiss felt like a promise, an assurance that he would be honest from now on.

"Ready to go back to brunch?" he asked.

"Yeah."

back to the dining room. Thankfully, they had moved on to a different topic and were discussing

new beta

a conversation about it," Logan sighed, "He needs to adjust his approach

bit."

sigh. It wasn't unheard of to become Alpha without a

me a look. That "now all the pressure is on me look. I returned

coming to clear out your

things I want," I said, thinking of the few items that had accompanied me through my

now, Martha is determined to turn it into a guest room as quickly as possible, so anything left behind is

me gone.

1/3

Chapter 95

to go over after we finish eating?"

course. We can't spend too long there, but it's your

reluctance to go there, but he also

go with you guys. That way I can keep anything you don't want to

began to vibrate. He glanced at it, then stood and walked out of the room to take the

if I

just doesn't like Martha,"

Ama mumbled, then looked shocked at her

sorry! That

head, but the rest

asked as

taking another bite of

meet us at your pack house.

"What thing?" I asked.