Don't Poke the Luna (Xena and Ryder)

Xena's POV

Knock! Knock! Knock!

"Ama?" I asked in surprise when I opened the door to find her standing there.

"You look fucking amazing!" she said, looking me up and down.

Hearing those words from Ama, I knew my choice was right. Her eye for fashion

was always spot on.

"What do you think?" I asked, giving her a little spin.

"Absolutely! Ryder sent me to come check on you." Ama's smile was so wide it

looked like it might split her face.

"Why?" I asked.

"You really did pick the perfect dress," Ama said, grabbing my arm and pulling me

toward the hallway.

"Why?" I was even more confused now. Her expression was too excited.

"Just smile and keep walking," Ama said, pulling me toward the back door. The

moment she opened it, I realized this wasn't just an ordinary barbecue gathering.

Somehow, Ryder had changed into khakis and a white polo shirt. He stood at the

end of a flower path that ran through the crowd of people.

pulling now? My heart

the good

gave me a gentle push and then walked out, closing the door

down the flower path toward

gazed into

all these people, in this moment, I felt more loved and cherished than

before. The feeling filled my

have your Luna ceremony. All

But after everything we've been through, I want to

ring from his pocket. I immediately recognized it as the

his mother had worn.

ring has been passed down through generations... from my

my mother. Every Luna has worn this ring. My mother

it to you at your Luna ceremony, but I want

Not just as mates, but as

this pack together. There's no hierarchy between us...

you

at risk to save others. Please accept this ring,

of our

rushed through me-love,

of belonging. This wasn't

an eternal promise.

welling in my eyes, as he slipped the

as we boarded the

discovered the pregnancy. Since then,

a healthy pregnancy with no

early, only four weeks, we hadn't told anyone else yet.

but that was

the private jet. I'd been admiring the

It was platinum with a one-carat black round-cut diamond.

great-great-grandfather had mined this stone