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.

barrel of a gun pressed

that Tom's

BANG!

were covered in blood, as was the warrior standing nearby. The sudden violence stunned me into silence-I couldn't process

screams as I let out a

unchanged. A flicker of contempt crossed his eyes as he wiped blood from his face with the back of

William, followed by brutal kicks to his ribs and stomach. William jerked awake with a gasp, his body convulsing as consciousness returned along with the pain. Blood trickled from his mouth

grabbed William's face, forcing him to look directly at me. "I need your blood serum," Alpha Wiley said, his voice dripping with impatience.

Don't hurt him!" The words exploded from

his restraints. "Don't... don't listen to him,

BANG!

agony tore through the air as Alpha Wiley's bullet shattered his shinbone. I could see the bone protruding through his skin, blood

was still burning in my vision, and I couldn't watch another person I cared about die because

Chapter 264

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

gasped out through gritted

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