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

you, and beat you! And what did we

taking a few steps back as if afraid he might hurt me. "You could have

what happened to me. We need to be strategic. I want to kill them too, but we can't just storm their territory. Remember, you were shot too, and they killed Samuel. This is bigger than what happened to me. Wiley is planning

my own wolf rising, that primal, revenge-seeking instinct

me

Luna is right!" I heard one of

and anger flashing

by finding the third tunnel. Everyone spread out and search!" I commanded loudly, looking at Ryder. He was staring at me, trying to

to Ryder," I told him through our mind link, hoping the evidence would help us think

best course

and I need to talk to my father. Keep me updated on their

William's crisp response, and then we started walking

of the men did Ryder speak to me. "I'm sorry," he said softly, genuine remorse

understood how his wolf

it's not," Ryder grabbed my waist, forcing me to turn and face him.

asked, shifting my weight and crossing my arms as I looked at hit needed to know