Don't Poke the Luna (Xena and Ryder)

apter 229

Xena's POV

The slap sent a sharp sting through my aim. It wasn't severe, but enugh to make me wince and lower my shoulder. I felt a tinge of guilt, but knew it was necessary -he needed to snap out of it.

His eyes snapped to mine. It took him a second to register my pain. But when he did, I watched him struggle to regain control over his wolf. Ryder closed his eyes, and that's when I felt someone grab my arm and pull me back,

Ryder's eyes flew open, glaring at the warrior. Don't fucking touch her." His warning growl was low, dangerous, and filled with possessive rage.

"Ryder!" I stomped my foot to get his attention, trying to defuse the situation before it spiraled completely out of control. 'Calm

down!"

“THIS IS SO FUCKED UP! I'LL KILL HIM!" Ryder roared, his voice filled with primal fury.

"No, you won't!" I moved toward him, grabbing his arm. He didn't push me away, but I could feel his muscles tense like steel beneath my fingers. "We need to be smart about this. We don't know the whole picture or exactly what's happening

still in danger! Xena, they fucking kidnapped you, touched you, and beat

if afraid he might hurt me. "You could have

too, but we can't just storm their territory. Remember, you were shot too, and they

wolf rising, that primal, revenge-seeking instinct pumping

me

I heard one of them

flashing in

by finding the third tunnel. Everyone spread out and search!" I commanded loudly, looking at Ryder. He was staring at me, trying to control his breathing. I could feel his struggle, caught between his

Ryder," I told him through our

the best

his voice regaining some control. "Xena and I need

and then we started walking back toward the pack house,

we were out of earshot of the men did Ryder speak to me. "I'm sorry," he said softly, genuine remorse in his

fine," I said, not looking at him. I understood how his

Ryder grabbed my waist, forcing me to turn and face him. "Xena, I'm

my arms as I looked at hit needed to know he