Don't Poke the Luna (Xena and Ryder)

Chapter 291

Xena's POV

The sound of a car door slamming made my heart race. I could see Ryder jumping out of the SUV before it had even fully stopped. He was running toward the pack house, his face a mixture of relief and desperate worry.

I stood up from the couch, my legs shaky but determined.

"Xena," he breathed, his voice cracking with emotion.

He rushed toward me, and I met him halfway. His arms wrapped around me carefully, avoiding my injuries, pulling me against his chest. The warmth of his body, the familiar scent of his skin, the steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath my ear-it all crashed over me like a wave of pure relief.

I tilted my head up to look at him, our foreheads touching as our eyes locked. In that moment, nothing else existed. Just this perfect moment of being alive and together.

He leaned down and kissed me, soft and tender at first, then with growing

intensity as the reality of our reunion hit us both. I kissed him back with everything

I had, pouring all my love and gratitude into that single moment.

"Okay, you two, maybe save some of that for when you're alone," Logan's amused voice cut through our bubble.

Ryder, heat flooding my cheeks as embarrassment washed over me. "We need to talk," I said, my voice growing

shifted

and Penelope. "Martha attacked me." "WHAT?" Ryder's voice exploded with fury, his eyes immediately flashing black. "She's contained," I said quickly,

clenched, his fists balling at his sides. "How the fuck did she get out?

don't know yet," Penelope said, stepping forward. "We're investigating the

Alpha authority radiating from him

nodded, gesturing toward the stairs. "She's in

we made our way upstairs, Logan and Penelope following close behind. The two female warriors stationed outside the door straightened when they saw

problems?" I

quiet since the doctor left," one

them to open the door. They pushed the bathroom door open, revealing Martha sitting on the

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Chapter 291

with glucose. She looked up at us with hollow, dead eyes before immediately dropping her gaze back

and a Coke from the kitchen," I instructed one of

quickly, running out to

rage exploded from him like a volcano. He charged forward, his fist connecting with her face and sending her crashing to the ground. The IV needle tore from her hand, blood spurting as she let

cries grew weaker with each blow,

this scene. Despite everything Martha had done to me, despite the years of abuse and cruelty, seeing her so broken stirred an unwelcome feeling of pity in my heart. I hated that I felt it, hated that

head away, unable to watch