Don't Poke the Luna (Xena and Ryder)

Chapter 248

I could see and smell the wood estorer Penelope had used to clean the light oak cabinets. The gold handles gleamed. Even the floral wallpaper coveting the kitchen, though faded, had been cleaned. The hardwood floors extended into the kitchen and, from what I could see, continued down the hallway. More photos of Mom and Dad or our grandparents hung on the walls. There was one photo with many people that I wasn't sure who they all were.

"That's Mom's family," Logan said, walking up beside me. "Dad told me who everyone was. Not sure 111 remember, but he said it was written on the back. There's Mom." Logan started pointing people out "That's her parents and siblings."

"There's about twelve..." I counted, saying.

"Yeah, Grandma had eleven brothers and sisters. The women all left with their mates. Penelope's been trying to track them down to see if we have any other family out there."

"Dad doesn't know?" I looked at Logan. Eleven siblings? I was internally shocked beyond words. This meant we might have a bunch of distant relatives scattered somewhere, and we knew nothing about it.

"He's not too sure. It wasn't a priority for him at the time, and when things got bad, he had to close this place off to keep it safe."

and

to feel the need to protect this place. My chest suddenly tightened-what exactly had he gone

opened, and Leonard walked in. The moment his eyes locked on mine, I rushed toward him and hugged him tightly. He hugged me

realized how much I'd missed him, missed our friend group, missed eating pizza at the pizza place, missed going to clubs. Those simple, happy times

so unreachable.

smiled as he

so long since I've seen you," I tried to give him a

Leonard said, reaching out to pull Viola to

it's good to see you," I immediately

for her to accept Leonard, and seeing him hug another girl couldn't be easy, especially someone like me whom she'd only met twice.

come a long way in this short time," Viola looked up at Leonard. "I'm sorry for your loss," she said after

silence, Penelope spoke up: "Would you

me process everything. Leonard walked over

like this, giving me space to handle emotions. But sometimes I really wished he would be more pro me what he was thinking. I was such a contradictory person, always at

at least tell

bathroom, also with hardwood floors. The vanity was light blue with a white countertop and blue sink. The toilet was light blue, and so was the bathtub. She had decorated it with a water theme, with shells