Don't Poke the Luna (Xena and Ryder)

Don't Poke the Luna

Chapter 98

Xena's POV

"You're going to be the death of me," Ryder laughed, shaking his head as we pulled up to the pack house.

"As long as you die happy," I shrugged, feeling that familiar flutter in my chest when he smiled at me like that. As we stopped the car, could see Dad and Benedict still standing outside, deep in conversation.

"Hey kids. Everything go smoothly?" Dad asked, his eyes quickly assessing the small amount of belongings I'd brought

"That's a question you should ask Logan," I replied with a smirk, grabbing my things while Ryder lifted the box containing the rest of my possessions.

Benedict's eyes narrowed slightly. "That's all of it?"

"Yeah, I travel light," I said matter-of-factly. Together we headed upstairs to our room-our room, not just his anymore-and I set everything down on the coffee table, suddenly feeling oddly vulnerable with my meager belongings on display.

"I need to take care of these things," Ryder said, his green eyes studying my face. "You going to be okay?"

"Yeah, Ama and I will be in her room for the rest of the day," I answered, staring at the small pile representing my entire life.

Alright. This is your room now too," Ryder said, his gaze sweeping across the space. "Think about what changes you want to make. I want you to feel comfortable here."

I picked up two framed photographs and my jewelry box, walked to what would now be my side of the bed, and placed them carefully on the nightstand. Setting the jewelry box in front of the photos, I smiled faintly. "All done!" I gave Ryder a slightly sad smile, noticing he was flipping through my sketches.

"Those are private," I said, feeling exposed.

“These are amazing," Ryder continued browsing, undeterred. He paused at a sketch of Samuel, his finger tracing the edge of the paper. "Can I borrow this one?"

"Why?" I asked, feeling a protective reluctance rise in my chest.

"Trust me, okay?" His eyes held mine, filled with something I couldn't quite read.

I wanted to say no, but looking at his expectant expression, I found it hard to refuse. Maybe sharing a piece of myself with him wasn't such a terrible thing. "Fine."

Ryder leaned down and pressed a kiss to my forehead. "I won't damage it. Let's go to Ama's room."

"Okay."

After knocking once, Ama yanked the door open. “Finally!” She grabbed my hand and pulled me inside with surprising strength for someone her size.

"The massage therapists are already here. Your spot is ready!" She was practically bouncing with excitement.

"Bye! I called out as Ama slammed the door in an amused Ryder's face.

Did I make him angry?" Ama asked, dragging me toward the massage table.

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Don't Poke the Luna

Chapter 98

Xena's POV

of me, Ryder laughed, shaking

I shrugged, feeling that familiar flutter in my chest when he smiled at me like that. As we stopped

eyes quickly assessing the small amount of belongings

smirk, grabbing my things while Ryder lifted the box containing the rest of my

slightly. "That's all of

upstairs to our room-our room, not just his anymore-and I set everything down on the coffee table, suddenly feeling oddly vulnerable

need to take care of these things," Ryder said, his green eyes

will be in her room for the rest of the day," I answered, staring at the small pile representing my entire

your room now too," Ryder said, his gaze sweeping across the space. "Think about

walked to what would now be my side of the bed, and placed them carefully on the nightstand. Setting the jewelry

are private," I said, feeling

browsing, undeterred. He paused at a sketch of Samuel, his finger tracing the edge

feeling a protective

me, okay?" His eyes held mine, filled with something

say no, but looking at his expectant expression, I found it hard to refuse. Maybe sharing a

leaned down and pressed a kiss to my forehead. "I

"Okay."

the door open. "Finally!" She grabbed my hand and pulled me inside with surprising strength for

therapists are already here. Your spot is ready!" She was practically

called out as Ama slammed

asked, dragging me toward the massage

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Chapter 98

thinks you're funny.

while I removed my clothes and placed them on a

pressing into my shoulders. Each movement seemed to find exactly where tension had been building in my body,

air, hints of lavender and

to have elements of Ryder in it. The room was primarily red and black. I'd just bought a red dress and a black dress. Maybe nothing needed to

sharp pain shot through my back, snapping me back to reality. I clenched my jaw, trying

I'd been holding my breath. As she maintained pressure, the pain transformed from sharp to dull, like electricity ruhning through stiff muscles. I could feel the long-tense fibers resisting,

later, the

as they left the room.

before, it certainly was now. That

good you

you know how you compare after you show me what you can do tonight,"

to that deep tone that always

Earth to Xena!” Ama snapped her fingers in

smiled at

shower

ran naked into the