Don't Poke the Luna (Xena and Ryder)

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Don't Poke the Luna

Chapter 128

Xena's POV

The blood on my arm had stopped flowing, beginning to dry in the summer heat. The image of the Rogue shouting to his men kept replaying in my mind: "Grab her!" he had yelled. The only person I could think of who would want me was Tatum. The thought of being kidnapped terrified me to the point of suffocation, like an invisible hand clutching at my throat, making it nearly impossible to breathe.

I kept moving forward, exhaustion filling my body as the adrenalineaded. Each step felt like I was dragging lead weights, my consciousness becoming foggy, my body no longer feeling like my own. As I stepped over a fallen log, my foot caught, and I fell, landing on my hands and knees. Tears began to form in my eyes, and I could no longer control myself as a small sob escaped my lips. I felt so helpless, so vulnerable, like one of those nightmares from my childhood coming to life again.

That's when a pair of strong arms wrapped around my waist, pulling me up and close against him. Electric sparks shot through my entire body as Ryder sat on a fallen log and placed me on his lap. He began gently rubbing my back.

"I'm sorry," he said, his words confusing me.

"What do you mean?" I looked up at him, a tear sliding down my cheek as I tried to read the emotions in his eyes.

“That you had to kill someone. Even if he was a Rogue, he was still a person.”

"You think that's what's bothering me right now?" I couldn't believe it, a small flare of anger rising within me. How could he not understand me? After everything, did he still not know what truly frightened me?

"Isn't it?"

This isn't my first kill. Don't

didn't kill anyone then, and there weren't a dozen people

was run off the road, and yes, I did kill someone then. The second was when you were shot, and

of you..." I shook

As I spoke the words, my body began

let you be kidnapped. I promised to keep you safe." Ryder wrapped his arms

me as he began walking. I didn't even protest him carrying

seemed like an eternity before we reached the hospital. The cool air hit my skin, raising goosebumps as nurses rushed

said gently, though I could.see wariness in her eyes-she knew

but

their job," Ryder sighed, rubbing the bridge

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Chapter 128

a sigh, I leaned back and let

that hurt?" she asked

asking

I knew I was overreacting, but the stress and exhaustion made it impossible to control my

Luna." She quickly left the room, and another

him, his