Don't Poke the Luna (Xena and Ryder)

Chapter 250

Xena's POV

Really?" he asked, giving me one last chance to stay behind.

"Ready." I reached out and grabbed his arm, pulling my legs up to my chest. His hand gripped my right thigh as I rested my head against his shoulder. We drove toward home.

"What do you want for dinner?” he asked gently.

"Something spicy."

'Chinese?" Ryder asked after a second.

"Sounds good." Trees flew past as we drove back to the pack. The radio was off, everything felt so peaceful.

"How much further?" I asked, my voice sounding muffled in the enclosed car.

"Ten minutes, fifteen at most."

I looked out the window at the familiar scenery rushing past-dense pine forests, occasional rocky outcroppings, and that winding creek. Everything looked normal, but something deep inside was stirring restlessly.

The road ahead began to climb, and the trees gradually thinned. I knew that after one more turn, the border checkpoint would come into view. There should be guards patrolling, routine inspection procedures, there should be-

Ryder suddenly hit the brakes.

The car slowly stopped on the hillside, the engine's idle sound unusually loud in the sudden stillness. Neither of us spoke, just stared ahead.

The border checkpoint was there, but it shouldn't look like this

The gate-that heavy iron gate that was always tightly closed-now lay twisted on the ground. The frame was warped and deformed, as if torn apart by enormous force from the inside. The metal surface was covered in scratches, some so deep you could see the steel reinforcement underneath.

whispered, though I

no sounds of routine checks, not even lights from the

looked like an abandoned

deep breath

a nauseating

rust of metal and something deeper, more terrifying. That terror wasn't emotion, but

on this land.

claws scratching at the depths

out warning

voice was barely audible. He floored the accelerator.

1/3

Chapter 250.

under the tires, and I was pressed bat against the

"What's happening-

"at least three, coming out of the

uniforms carrying automatic rifles, emerging from the ruins behind the checkpoint. Their movements were well-trained and coordinated, clearly having been waiting

completely blocking our way. This

a few meters from the roadblock. We

"Get out! Hands up!"

from cover, all weapons pointed at our car. Their faces were painted with camouflage, their eyes cold and

had no choice but to slowly raise our hands and push open the

damaged-they were completely destroyed. The walls of the main building were riddled with bullet holes, one corner of

clearing in front of the checkpoint, their blood congealed into dark red stains. Their uniforms were tattered, clearly having gone through intense battle. One still gripped a radio

too late. Too

ground, hands bound behind their heads. Their faces were covered in bruises and blood. Luna Kestrel was among them. She maintained the same position, all

to ask what had happened,

you been? You

Tatum!

smugness, cruelty, and sick pleasure. The moment I saw him, Una let out an angry roar, wanting to break free and