Don't Poke the Luna (Xena and Ryder)

Chapter 281

Xena's POV

"It means I'm free, Tansy said, her voice barely audible but filled with desperate hope. It means my daughter is safe."

My hands shook as i worked the key into the lock. The metal had been there so long that removing it would require medical attention. 'We're going to get you proper care,' I promised.

*Is Penelope alive? Is she safe?" Tansy's eyes filled with tears as she looked up at me.

"She's alive and well. She's mated to my brother Logan - the Alpha of Nightcedar Pack." I managed to get the lock open, and the collar fell away with a heavy clank. Tansy immediately brought her hands to her neck, feeling the taw, infected skin where the metal had been.

"Logan?" she repeated, confusion crossing her features.

"My twin brother. The man who just gave orders outside." I pulled off my jacket and wrapped it around her shoulders. "Jericho is here too. He's been waiting for you.

At the mention of Jericho's name, Tansy's entire body went rigid. "Jericho? He's... he's really here?"

"He never stopped looking for you. Never stopped loving you." I helped her to her feet, supporting her weight as her legs shook from weakness and malnutrition.

"I thought I'd never see him again," she sobbed, her voice breaking. "Wiley told me he was dead. He said Jericho abandoned us."

has been working undercover, trying to protect both you and Penelope all these

Tansy gripped my arm. "The other women... please don't leave them here. They've suffered as much

who had led us here, still standing

*Iris, ma'am," she whispered.

them they're coming with us. No one

shot up, eyes wide with disbelief. "All

anymore," I said

Jericho was pacing frantically near the entrance. The moment he saw Tansy, he froze. Twenty years of separation, of pain, of hoping against hope it all crashed together

breathed, his voice

really looked at him taking in his weathered face, the gray in his hair, the lines of worry and

the other might disappear. When Jericho's arms wrapped

hair. "I'm so sorry I couldn't

muffled against his chest. "You

stood watching this reunion with an expression I'd rarely seen on my brother's face - something between

have much

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Chapter 281

must have been suppressing

streaming down his face as he gently touched her face. "Let