Don't Poke the Luna (Xena and Ryder)

Xena's POV

The guards exchanged a knowing glance with Alpha Benedict before stepping aside to let us pass. After two sharp knocks, another guard opened the heavy metal door. At five-foot intervals stood fully armed guards, backs straight, eyes forward, looking like they were just waiting for an excuse to kill someone or something.

My heartbeat accelerated, my throat tightening as we walked deeper into the facility. This place made my skin crawl, like each step took us further into hell itself.

The deeper we went, the more the stench of dirt, sweat, and blood assaulted my senses. I fought against my instinct to gag, reminding myself this was necessary. Groans echoed from the cells of either side, sending chills across my skin.

I forced myself to stay composed, trying not to focus on the cells flanking us. Suddenly, a prisoner lunged forward, his fingers stretching between the bars as he tried to grab me.

Fear struck me like lightning, freezing me in place. My breath caught for a second. In that moment, I realized just how dangerous these prisoners were, how their desperation made them reckless.

Ryder quickly pulled me to his side while a guard struck the cage with his baton. I felt Ryder's protective touch, his body heat calming me slightly, but my heart continued to race. The prisoner's laughter followed us as we entered the interrogation room.

Cracked cement walls surrounded us, a single wire connecting the hanging fluorescent light. A large mirror faced three naked men bound to metal chairs. We stood in darkness, but I was certain they could still smell me. All three of their noses twitched when I

walked in.

An inexplicable chill crept up my spine. "I thought there would be more," I said to Ryder through our mind link.

"There were more..." He didn't need to elaborate for me to understand they hadn't survived to see today.

Ryder stood beside me, not touching. His arms crossed as he controlled his anger. I could feel his emotions swirling like a storm.

Alpha Benedict stepped

Who sent you to attack my pack?" I noticed something gleaming in the light. Only when he delivered a particularly brutal punch did I realize it

break. There was always

back, waiting for an answer. I studied each man's reaction carefully, trying to read their weaknesses. The middle one subtly pulled his

tiny movement, filing it

don't know anything!"

glared

out desperately. I watched his futile attempt, a strange flash of pity crossing my mind before I suppressed it. They had

we'll make your deaths quicker," Dad stepped forward and delivered a resounding slap to Holden,

1/2

Chapter 146

to me, and I

you deaths painless, Alpha Benedict moved to a table I hadn't noticed before. Setting down the brass knuckles, he picked up someling

A cattle taser.

tell you everything, but I want to tell her directly.

stood, as if he knew precisely where

It unsettled me but also piqued my

punched the guy square in the

Dad through our mind link. I didn't want to undermine his authority, and since I hadn't yet relinquished my connection to him,

he spat blood,