Don't Poke the Luna (Xena and Ryder)

Chapter 195

Xena's POV

I'm not sure how long it had been. After Alpha Wiley and Tatum left the room, I hadn't seen them again. Darkness had fallen twice, the sun rising once more, but I was so disoriented I could barely tell if I was awake or sleeping.

My brain felt submerged in a thick fog, time warping around me. Th helplessness crushed me more than the physical pain, leaving me uncertain if I was even alive or trapped in some endless nightmare.

Faster than I'd expected, my vision finally cleared. Just in time to see lightning illuminate the darkened room. Thunder rolled, bringing with it the scent of rain.

"Good evening, beautiful." Tatum's voice scared me half to death. My heart instantly contracted, my throat going dry as fear spread like ice water down my spine. I knew he'd come back, but each time heard his voice, that sense of powerlessness drowned me again. I hadn't heard any vehicles approaching. The storm must have masked the sound.

"What do you want?" I tried to focus enough to ask. My heart started racing as he moved closer.

"I've got a surprise for you." Tatum smiled, straddling the chair I was tied to. His hands roughly grabbed my breasts, squeezing them without restraint, then gripped my jaw, forcing me to look at him.

"Get off!" I tried to shout, but it came out muffled. He laughed darkly before pressing his lips forcefully against mine. This time, he didn't push his tongue inside.

His weight pressed against me, each touch burning my skin like fire. wanted to scream, to fight back, but my bound body could do nothing but struggle weakly. I felt myself breaking, being stripped away piece by piece.

"Fuck, I'm going to enjoy fucking you." He climbed off me while tears filled my eyes. My entire body trembled with fear.

The door opened again as three warriors dragged in an unconscious man. The only light came from a lantern Tatum had placed in front of me. Only when they tied the man to a chair and pushed him in front of me did I recognize who it was.

"NO!" I whispered shakily. The tightly wound cord inside me finally shapped. Ryder sat before me, covered in blood.

My heart seemed to stop beating. Ryder... my Ryder... seeing him like this, a part of me died. Anger and despair twisted together, nearly suffocating me.

"Oh yes." Tatum grinned triumphantly. "My guards found him and brought him to me."

"Your guards? Found him and brought him to you?" I questioned. No matter how hard I tried, I still couldn't establish a mind link

with Ryder.

girl. I'm the better man." Tatum reached out to stroke my

I tried to wake him. His head

a while. Until then, we'll be right back." Tatum laughed as

but after an hour, no one had returned, and Ryder hadn't

I sobbed. He didn't answer. About another hour passed before he finally

moving between the door and Ryder, terrified

1/3

Chapter 195

a blanket, almost

I cried again. He lifted

it worked," he chuckled

asked, my thoughts a jumbled mess, unable to

4

me For you to reject me, you'd have to see me.

does that help rescue me?" I asked, trembling with

me.

tracker before I

wily disbelief

help is coming?" I asked shakily, filled with a thread

the way. Are you okay?" Ryder smiled

couldn't stop the tears streaming

didn't need to pretend to be fearless, didn't need to hide my terror and pain. Tears flowed like floodgates opening,

lovers reunited." Tatum's cold voice sent

Ryder whispered to

words anchored me to reality. Even

Tatum strolled casually

away from her,"

arm wrapped around my throat, my heartbeat accelerating wildly as every hair