Don't Poke the Luna (Xena and Ryder)

Chapter 264

Xena's POV

A bucket of ice-cold water slammed into my face, the shock of it driving straight into my bones. I gasped, choking on the water that filled my mouth and nose. Before I could fully process what was happening, two sharp slaps cracked across my cheeks, the stinging pain cutting through the fog in my head like a blade.

My eyes snapped open to find Alpha Wiley's face inches from mine, his expression twisted with barely controlled rage. His hand wrapped around my throat, squeezing just hard enough to make breathing difficult, and he delivered two more vicious slaps that made my ears ring.

I need your blood serum. Now. His voice was hoarse, almost frantic, and there was something unhinged in his eyes that made my blood run cold. In his place stood someone who looked like he was teetering on the edge of complete madness.

I forced myself to look around the room, taking in our new surroundings despite the throbbing in my skull. Medical equipment lined the walls-monitors with blinking lights, IV stands, and machines I couldn't identify. The sterile smell of antiseptic burned my nostrils. In the center of the room sat a metal surgical table with leather restraints hanging from its sides.

I didn't give him the satisfaction of a response. Instead, I met his gaze with the coldest stare I could muster.

Alpha Wiley's brow furrowed at my silence. Without a word, he stood and glanced at one of his warriors. The man immediately bolted from the room.

Two minutes. When the door opened again, my heart shattered into a thousand pieces.

They dragged Tom in like a broken doll. He was barely conscious, wearing nothing but his underwear, his body covered in burns and cuts. His head lolled forward, too heavy for his weakened neck muscles to support.

but the cold barrel of a gun pressed against the back of

Wiley calmly loaded bullets into his handgun as he walked toward Tom. He grabbed Tom's hair brutally, yanking his head up so that Tom's unfocused eyes met mine. Tom's lips moved slightly, trying to form words, but only

BANG!

as was the warrior standing nearby. The sudden violence stunned me into silence-I couldn't process what had

my own screams as I

he wiped blood from his face with the back of his hand. Without missing a beat, he strode toward William's unconscious

brutal kicks to his ribs and stomach. William jerked awake with a gasp, his body convulsing as consciousness returned along with the pain.

to look directly at me. "I need your blood serum," Alpha Wiley said, his voice dripping with impatience. "Cooperate with me, or

sank to the bottom of my chest. "NO! Don't hurt him!" The words

sides as he fought against his restraints. "Don't... don't listen to

BANG!

his shinbone. I could see the bone protruding through his skin,

watch another person I cared about die because of me. My heart was being crushed in a vine guilt and

Chapter 264

tear Alpha Wiley apart. But seeing William's agonized face, knowing

don't do this," William gasped

Wiley stood and delivered a vicious kick to William's temple. William's protests cut off as his eyes rolled