Don't Poke the Luna (Xena and Ryder)

Chapter 104

Xena's POV

"Martha, if you don't listen to me right now, I will remove you from his pack. That's a promise! Dad's voice was low but carried enough authority to make my skin tingle. His eyes were colder than

rage.

ever seen them, his jaw clenched tight with barely controlled

Martha's expression crumbled instantly, tears welling in her eyes. "Hank, I'm only doing this for you, for the entire pack-

"Enough! Get out of here! Now!" Dad cut off her trembling excuses with brutal efficiency.

Martha nodded vigorously, and for once, she didn't throw me a hateful glare before leaving. She just kept her head down, wiping tears from her eyes as she hurried out of the hall.

"Perhaps this isn't the right time. I'll come back later to invite Ms. Harris for a dance," Tatum said with that infuriating smile of his. He walked away with casual confidence that made my blood boil.

Dad watched Tatum leave, forcing a tight smile. "X, enjoy your night, he said before heading toward the exit.

I nodded, watching his retreating figure. He seemed older somehow, shoulders slightly more hunched than I remembered.

"That was epic!" Ama rushed over, throwing her arms around me in a tight hug.

"I'm not even sure what just happened." I was genuinely shocked by my own display. The feeling was both foreign and familiar, like something dormant inside me had suddenly awakened.

"That's your inner Luna blood showing," William said approvingly as he pulled Ama back to his side. "Your authority was challenged, and your wolf doesn't like that."

Ryder immediately wrapped his arm around my waist, and we followed William to his table. Leonard was holding some girl I didn't recognize, Mike was doing the same, and Logan had just arrived.

"Penelope! Congratulations!" Ama embraced Penelope warmly.

"I still can't believe it!" Penelope couldn't stop smiling.

Ryder handed me a drink just as the music changed. The younger crowd started dancing like they were in a

nightclub.

feels like a party!” Leonard took a sip of his drink, his eyes meeting mine. There was something shadowy in his gaze, something that made my stomach twist uncomfortably. Leonard was usually so carefree, but tonight he seemed unusually somber. I guessed he was thinking about Samuel,

Ryder whispered in my ear. He led me out of the hall to a tent set up near the playground, where a beautiful arrangement of flowers sat on a separate table next to a large

I gazed at the photo. In that moment, I felt a sharp wave of grief and longing wash over me, followed by a warmth I couldn't quite explain Ryder always seemed to understand

gone," Leonard said, coming

walk through the door," I replied, my

catching slightly.

good, man," Leonard extended his hand

1/3

Chapter 104

can't imagine what you're an going through. If

the word. Ryder gripped

care of our girl.

agreed, his eyes filled with tenderness

that made my heart

Ryder sat in his

is amazing," Penelope complimented

a sip of my drink

as Kendrick's “Not

her hand and jumped up, letting the music take over as I moved my body, temporarily leaving all my worries

Ryder's POV

guys at the table. "I want Tatum out of here

Mike all leaned in. Leonard had sent his date to dance

the plan?"

him

up and walked

go

I tried to mask just how fucking

manage," Logan said

drama already," I finished my drink. I

Logan drained his

but

didn't stop him.

expression wasn't friendly. I only realized how

a path