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."

been working undercover, trying to protect both you and

Tansy gripped my arm. "The other women... please

had led us here, still standing with her head bowed. "What's your

*Iris, ma'am," she whispered.

the women. Tell them they're

head shot up, eyes wide with disbelief. "All

anymore," I said coldly. "This

he saw Tansy, he froze. Twenty years

breathed, his voice

at him taking in his weathered face, the gray in his hair, the lines of worry and grief that marked the years they'd been

afraid the other might disappear. When Jericho's arms wrapped around her, Tansy collapsed against him, sobbing with relief and joy and heartbreak all

hair. "I'm so

against his chest. "You saved our daughter. You kept

I'd rarely seen on my brother's face - something between wonder and overwhelming emotion. This

wolf doesn't have

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Chapter 281

heart sank. Wiley must have been suppressing her

tears streaming down his face as he gently touched