Don't Poke the Luna (Xena and Ryder)

Chapter 126

Xena's POV

A strong gust of wind blew past, and I caught that scent. My body froze instantly, every muscle on high alert. I felt my heart race, my throat tighten, as that familiar dangerous aroma nearly made my blood congeal.

"XE-7" Ryder began to speak, but I held up my hand to stop him.

"Do you smell it?" I asked through our mind link, fear coiling like a serpent around my heart, but I forced myself to remain calm.

"No?" Ryder looked worried. He glanced around, his body tense, ready for action. Confusion was written all over his face, but he trusted my judgment. "What do you smell?"

"Rogues."

Ryder's gaze snapped to mine. I could feel his wolf instantly become alert inside him. I pointed toward the boundary wall, motioning for him to take a look. He must have caught my thought, silently walking over. He leaped up, using his fingertips to pull himself to the top, barely peeking over the wall. As soon as he looked, he dropped back to the ground, gesturing for me to crouch down.

"You're right, his voice was low and tense.

I crouched behind a tree, able to hear them just on the other side of the wall. My heart pounded as I analyzed every possible escape of fight route.

I've called for the

"How many?" I asked.

"A dozen or so."

I bit my lower

Ryder told me. The sound of Rogues scraping against the wall echoed around us,

leave you alone to fight them!" I countered, fear

not allow you

closed my eyes, summoning my wolf forward. I felt the change surge through me like a tidal wave, fire burning beneath my skin. Bones began to fearrange, muscles tearing and reforming, sharp pain flashing then disappearing into an unprecedented sense

my paw tips. Una's silver fur shimmered in the sunlight. I could feel the power flowing through my

was pitch black. Just as he shifted, a

even think; my wolf leaped forward. Jumping straight at that Rogue. Sinking my teeth into his neck,

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Chapter 126

filled with growls. I kicked away the dead Rogue as more Rogues climbed over the wall. Ryder was fighting three at once, while two had

onto my fur. The second Rogue tried to ambush from the side, but my reaction left him stunned. I spun to avoid his attack, clamped my jaws around his arm, felt the crisp snap of bone between my teeth, then violently whipped

toppling me, and a sharp pain shot through my neck. A sense of mortal dread instantly spread throughout my body. Una tried desperately to break free but

the wall, walked in front of me, and shifted