Don't Poke the Luna (Xena and Ryder)

Xena's POV

They helped me into a sitting position, their movements careful as they began to undress me. Fear shot through my body like an electric current, but I knew this was necessary.

"We need to cut your shirt open," the nurse on my left said, showing me the scissors. My heart raced faster. After a moment's hesitation, I nodded slowly.

They moved behind me, cutting from my back up to my neck, then along each arm. But they didn't remove the shirt completely. After pressing along my back and sides, they let the fabric continue cover my chest, tying it at the back so I wouldn't be exposed.

abric

The gratitude I felt nearly made me cry. Not because I was worried about Logan seeing my chest, but because I already felt vulnerable enough. Every second, I felt exposed to others' gazes, stripped of all defenses-not just physical clothing but my mental shields as well.

"We'll now examine your shoulders, neck, and face," the nurse on my right said as they began to touch and check. I could feel the sting with each press, but I clenched my teeth, refusing to let out a groan.

"We need to take X-rays of both shoulders and her face," the right nurse told Ryder. He nodded. The left nurse walked to the cabinet to retrieve a machine. I swallowed nervously, unsure what would happen next.

My vision blurred momentarily as fear washed over me like waves, rising and receding. Ryder sensed my anxiety and sent calming emotions through our mind link. The gesture provided a small comfort in this storm of pain and vulnerability.

"Luna Xena, we need you to lie flat. Is that okay?" one nurse asked.

I nodded and slowly shifted to lie back on the bed. They lowered my position and moved the machine above me. I could feel my heart pounding inside my chest.

will be a light and a small buzzing sound, then

my mind, my panic began to recede slightly. After taking one image, they moved the machine to my other shoulder, then positioned it above my face. They gently adjusted the angle of my head, and I closed my eyes as

shoulders aren't fractured, but her jawbone is. It's already beginning to heal in the

this done once, but they haven't fully returned to the correct position," the nurse

her anesthesia first?"

I need to feel the pain right now." My voice sounded strange

front of me, looking directly into my eyes. I could see the

sure.” He nodded and climbed onto the bed. Ryder straddled me while the nurses positioned themselves on either side, each

three, one

didn't want to wait, didn't want to anticipate the pain.

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Chapter 199

through my entire body like lightning. "OIT FUCK! I couldn't hold back the cry that escaped my

placed my arms across my abdomen and began wrapping my shoulders with skin bandages. They had to remove my shirt completely to bind my arms

exhaled, feeling the pain subside a

something for

I answered weakly, still keeping my eyes, closed. I didn't have the energy to open them, preferring

felt her walk away. Ryder's hand rested on my leg. Despite the overwhelming pain, his touch always provided a small measure

minutes, though, the pain began to fade. I could feel