Don't Poke the Luna (Xena and Ryder)

Chapter 242

Xena's POV

ter one of entitlement made me want to vomit. What did she mean by everything we've done for us? What had she done besides make our lives worse? My fists clenched under the table as I fought to suppress the rage building inside me.

Dad smiled at her. "We have to walk over there to see it. Let's all take knew this was going to happen, and so did Penelope. I wasn't sure if wasn't prepared.

I followed behind, the unease in my chest growing stronger.

a walk. Dad announced and stood up. Logan acted like he wanted to know or didn't want to know, but either way, I

We walked behind Dad and Martha. Logan and Penelope were besides, walking quietly. Dad's steps had a lightness I hadn't seen in years. Martha was practically bouncing. She looked like a child waiting to unwrap presents.

When we came to a small hill, there was a little archway. It was covered with white flowers hanging down. More white flower pots were arranged in rows, forming an aisle.

Wedding setup? My heart sank. They wouldn't be...

"Did you do all this? For me? Are we going to renew our vows?" Martha said excitedly, looking at Dad and grabbing his arm. Leonard and Delphine stood on either side of the archway, waiting.

I felt sick at Martha's expression, but at the same time had a strange premonition that things might not be what I thought.

"Something like that." Dad smiled brilliantly as we walked over. Logan motioned for us to sit on the left, and they sat on the right. Dad pulled Martha to the front. Standing face to face, he took her hands. Martha had a stupid big smile on her face, tears in her

eyes.

She really thought this was some romantic moment. I watched coldly, the alarm bells in my head getting louder. But Dad's expression... that wasn't the look of love.

"This is wonderful." Martha wiped her tears with her hand, saying with a trembling voice.

"Please let me speak." Dad announced. She was obviously startled but calmed down. "I've prepared some words to say."

back, looking into

held my breath, my

my life when I needed companionship most. I

true love."

grab Ryder. I knew my nails dug into his skin, but he

that needed me. I needed to survive and you gave me that option." Martha began to frown, blinking several times as if trying to understand

you would be a good stepmother to my children. I thought you would

My teeth clenched as years of anger and pain churned

never...

1/3

Chapter 242

seeming to let his words sink in. Martha had completely realized this wasn't the ceremony she'd imagined. She tried to pull her hands from

it was finally going to end.

you abused my daughter, simply because she looked like her mother. Fortunately, I needed to stay alive to ensure they could live to adulthood and find their mates. I'm a smart man, and I've arranged their futures so that when I die, they'll be taken care of. I know you

before no longer mattered; I only wished time could go back eighteen years.... "No!" Martha was still trying to break

her voice getting louder. "Please don't! I love you! I've always

a wave of nausea rise in my throat. What other lies did

do you want?"

my mate before I came to you and

as if accepting the

stared at her, trying to read the truth

"Who?"

never tell!"

matter. What matters is that you chose to come into my children's lives and make

Martha shrieked. "She never listened! She was always

Dad's voice thundered across the clearing. "She was a grieving child who needed love and guidance,

cruelty!"