Don't Poke the Luna (Xena and Ryder)

Chapter 267

Xena's POV

"YOU FUCKING BITCH! I'LL TEAR YOU APART PIECE BY PIECE! Alpha Wiley's voice cracked as he stood in the doorway, his eyes wild with grief and tage. YOU KILLED MY SON! YOU FUCKING PIECE OF SHIT! YOU RUINED EVERYTHING!" Spittle flew from his mouth as he raised his automatic rifle, spraying bullets across the room in a frenzy of destruction. Medical equipment exploded around me, sparks flying as electronics were shredded.

The sound of William's agonized cry cut through the chaos like a knife to my

heart.

'William!" I called desperately through our mind link, but silence answered me.

wouldn't let William die while I cowered behind table.

My

chest constricted with panic. He was dying. I couldn't hide anymore. I

forms oxyhemoglobin-bright red. When blood loses oxygen, it becomes deoxyhemoglobin-dark red, almost purple. My fingers closed around a

to my forehead, closing my eyes. "Moon God, if you're listening, please let this work. My voice was barely a

to shift, the deep purple brightening to a vivid crimson. My breath caught. This had to

the desk, the wood splintering inches from my face before the projectile tore into my shoulder. Fire exploded through my arm, and

goes nothing," I whispered, and

liquid metal-cold, bitter, with an underlying taste that reminded me of copper pennies and electricity. It burned going down, setting my throat on fire. For a

Then the pain began.

chest, a crushing pressure that felt like my ribcage was being compressed in a giant's fist. I doubled over, gasping, as the sensation spread outward like molten

felt like they were being stretched and reformed, each joint cracking and popping as they adjusted to accommodate new strength. My muscles spasmed violently, contracting and expanding as they grew denser, more powerful. I could feel my heart beating so hard I thought it might burst, pumping the enhanced blood through my system at an

as suddenly as it had begun, the agony transformed into

me like a warm wave, starting in my core and radiating outward until every cell in my body hummed with newfound power. Una roared with triumph in my mind. The constant ache in my ribs

felt incredible. No-I

randomly into the room, his ammunition running low. I scanned my surroundings, looking for anything I could use as a projectile. A metal chair sat overturned near the wall, and without thinking,

was made of foam, weightless in my enhanced grip. I