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.

in his gaze, something that made my stomach twist uncomfortably. Leonard was

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

his waist as 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 my

still can't believe he's gone," Leonard said, coming

know. I keep expecting him to walk through

catching slightly.

good, man," Leonard extended his hand to

1/3

Chapter 104

an going through. If there's anything I can

the word. Ryder gripped

our girl. She's like a sister

special," Ryder agreed, his eyes filled with

made

the hall. Ryder sat in his chair with me perched on his

dress is amazing,"

right,” I said, taking a sip

as Kendrick's “Not Like

grabbed her hand and jumped up, letting the music take over as I

Ryder's POV

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

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

plan?"

can't see him again." My

and walked into the

go

I tried to mask just how

Logan said

drama already," I finished

too," Logan drained his

but

didn't stop him.

I

a path for