Don't Poke the Luna (Xena and Ryder)

Chapter 239

Xena's POV

so... do we have the day off tomorrow?" a young man next to Novak asked.

You need to be ready in case something happens, but yes, you can relax, Ryder put his hand on my knee, as if to say it was time to go to bed.

"Everyone get some sleep," I stood up and said. Ryder followed me out, and everyone said goodnight.

"Why isn't William back yet? I asked as we walked down the hallwa

"I don't know." Ryder's hand settled on the small of my back as we climbed the stairs, his touch grounding me in a way that nothing else could. "I'll mind-link him."

"Okay."

We reached our room, and Ryder paused at the door. "Still on the phone with Ama. She's got Galen handling it, but it looks like it's going to take a while."

"That's fine." The yawn escaped before I could stop it, my body finally catching up with the emotional exhaustion of the day.

Tired?" His green eyes searched my face, concern flickering in their depths.

Ryder unlocked our door and secured it behind us, the click of the lock somehow making the weight on my chest

moved to pour us both whiskey, the amber liquid catching the lamplight as I sank into the

out flat, emotionless, but inside my chest felt like it was being crushed by stones. Each breath was a struggle against the

the glass. His arm came around my shoulders, and I leaned into his warmth, taking a small

isn't his happiness worth what

eyes never leaving mine. There was something complex in those green depths, something I couldn't quite read. "It is, but Logan will be all the family I have left. Even though your parents are difficult... at least they're alive. When you lose both parents, it feels completely different." My voice tightened,

siblings, and even though you and William constantly bicker, he

is annoyingly brotherly." I let out a soft snort, grateful for the momentary lightness. Ryder leaned forward,

get some sleep." He stood and extended his hand to me. I accepted it, downing the rest of my whiskey in one burning gulp. We walked to the bed together, and I went through the motions of undressing, pulling off my shorts, shirt, and underwear before grabbing one of his discarded shirts to sleep in. The fabric

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Chapter 239

wrapping around me

last thing I heard before darkness

too soon, bringing with it all the anxiety

I already showered, curled my hair, and applied my makeup, but now I stood in my matching underwear, staring at the wall of clothes like they

that showed off every defined muscle. Even in my current state, I couldn't help but appreciate

stop trembling, "I don't know what to wear." The anxiety was hitting me full force now and I had to fight to control the sweat threatening to ruin my carefully applied

surveying my options with the same intensity he brought