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!

I exclaimed, straightening

asked, startled by my

repeated, unable to contain my excitement. A wave of energy rippled through me. It felt

arms and rotated my shoulders. Everything moved

of my

"Xena," he said urgently.

"What is it?"

I heard 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

No one was smiling or crying. No one seemed to be covered in blood or carrying bodies. Each second felt like an eternity as my heart

Ryder 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 my racing heart. As he came around the SUV, I ran down the remaining stairs and threw myself into his open

wrapped around my shoulders, the other cradling my head

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Chapter 223

at all. I felt sparks throughout my body, carrying away all my

1 heard a warrior

plan. They

without a hitch,

warriors started cheering and howling up at the

I heard

William walked over, and I felt Ryder let go of my head to

said sincerely, and I could feel how much he