Don't Poke the Luna (Xena and Ryder)

Chapter 209

Xena's POV

I looked at Ama, a wave of gratitude washing over me despite my underlying concern. The pallor of her face worried me more than I wanted to admit.

"Do you need a snack? Fruit? Nuts? What would you like?" I asked, unable to mask the worry in my voice.

Ama glanced up at me, her eyes tired. "Oscar Mayer."

I shifted my gaze from her to Ryder. He nodded once before leaving the room, his footsteps echoing down the hallway.

We worked for about fifteen minutes in relative silence. I was focused on the design samples for my shop when suddenly, Ama lurched forward and vomited into her trash can. William returned at that exact moment, witnessing the scene without flinching.

Without a word, he handed her a bottle of water and grabbed the garbage bag. His movements were so natural, so practiced, it made me wonder how long she'd been feeling this way.

"Have you tried Gatorade? I asked, my mind immediately going to solutions.

William looked at me, confusion crossing his features. "What do you mean?"

Electrolytes. She needs electrolytes. Gatorade or even Pedialyte would work," I explained, my voice taking on that clinical calmness I used whenever I needed to hide my true feelings.

William turned to Ama. "What flavor would you like?"

"Oh, um,

lemon," she replied weakly.

I couldn't help but scrunch up my face. "Lemon?" The disbelief was evident in my tone.

ned, my

really good right now." Ama gave me a look that said she understood my reaction. A small smile

as William was heading out to dispose of the trash

begin his own work. Ama started eating while

Ama said after

up from the flooring samples I was

does this look like to you?"

and me having

tree. Heat rushed to my face as I

like a good time?" I asked, looking at her, trying to cover

behind you guys. Is that

photo from Ama, I examined it more closely. It did indeed look like a hand, just a hand, in the background. This area was part of the forest we hadn't explored yet. It was on the edge but deep enough that no one should have seen us. The risk of being discovered was part of what had made having sex there so exciting. Yet this photo had been taken during that time, with a

I stood up, my voice trembling despite my attempts to

is it?" His voice was steady and

this look like a hand to you?" I pointed it out. My heart raceds that familiar panic began to set in, the

His confirmation made my fear

"I'll investigate this. Don't leave this room. Understand? I'll have a

leave. "Could you... have someone else posted out front?" I asked hesitantly, but I could

being watched, of not knowing who was watching us, took me back

have William

grateful for

go, okay?" I hated sounding so dependent, but in this moment, fear

eyes

and say I wasn't afraid. I slowly sat back down and picked up my scissors. My hands were shaking, but I continued cutting. Ama seemed to notice my distress but didn't speak, just continued with her own work. Time stretched on endlessly until William finally

the girls. I need to check on something, and don't let Xena out of your sight no matter what," Ryder commanded. I could hear the

"Got it."