Don't Poke the Luna (Xena and Ryder)

Chapter 223

Xena's POV

I turned to head upstairs. I settled onto the porch swing, letting the gool night air brush against my skin. William followed me but hesitated before sitting down beside me.

After a long silence filled only by the distant calls of night creatures he finally spoke.

"Aren't you going to sleep?" he asked quietly.

I looked at him as if he'd asked the most ridiculous question in the world. "Are you planning to sleep until they come back?"

"I guess not," William admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Still no word from them?" I asked, even though I already knew the answer. My heart ached with each second of silence that followed.

"No, è replied simply.

We fell back into silence after that. Different warriors made their way onto the porch, taking seats nearby. Nobody was going to sleep tonight, not until our people returned. Yet no one spoke a word. We just sat there, listening to the frogs croaking and owls hooting in the darkness.

At some point, I rested my head against the chain of the swing and closed my eyes. I started imagining what it would be like when my shop reopened. Saying I missed it was an understatement. That shop meant everything to me.

Suddenly, I felt a surge of energy pulse through my body. My wolf was back!

exclaimed, straightening

startled by my

energy rippled through me. It felt strange, like my body

I stretched my arms and rotated my shoulders. Everything moved smoothly, without pain. My

was still reveling in the joy of my recovery, William

"Xena," he said urgently.

"What is it?"

too - the sound of engines approaching, Turning my head, I saw our black SUVS slowly making their way toward us. The warriors around us got to their feet, but I was the first to rush forward. As the car doors opened and men began to climb out, my eyes frantically searched

was smiling or crying. No one seemed to be covered in blood or carrying

slid out from the passenger seat, looking straight at me. The relief that washed over me was overwhelming. I closed my eyes, having to take several deep breaths to calm

around my shoulders, the other cradling my head as

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Chapter 223

sparks throughout my body, carrying away all my anxiety. Even though my arms weren't encircling him, I still

heard a

according to plan. They

a hitch, Alpha Benedict announced

the warriors started cheering and howling up at the moon. I

heard

Ryder let go of my head to

and I could