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."

We walked hand in hand back to the dining room. Thankfully, they had moved on to a different topic and were

new beta yet?" Alpha

need to have a conversation about it," Logan sighed,

bit."

Dad said with a sigh. It wasn't unheard of to become Alpha without a mate, but having

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

to clear out

There's not much to take, but there are things I want," I said, thinking of the few items that had

room as quickly as possible, so anything left behind is getting trashed," Logan warned. The

me gone.

1/3

Chapter 95

we finish eating?" I asked Ryder, already mentally cataloging

course. We can't spend too long there,

go there, but

keep anything you don't want

walked out of the room to take the call. My eyes followed him, a flicker of doubt crossing my

Ryder mind if

fine with it. He just

likes her," Ama mumbled, then looked shocked at her own comment.

That just

but the

asked

I answered, taking another bite

pack

"What thing?" I asked.