Don't Poke the Luna (Xena and Ryder) novel Chapter 111

1 tilted my head, giving him an exasperated look. “Are you giving me psychology lesson?”

“Maybe.” He shrugged, his eyes teasing. “But it’s working, isn’t it?”

I didn’t respond, just exhaled softly.

Logan patted my shoulder, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. “Though I have to say… that throw was badass. Total alpha move. Even if you looked like a crazy woman ready to murder someone.*

“Rude!” I playfully punched his shoulder.

Logan laughed and pulled me into a hug. “You need to focus. Helen as combat training, and you can’t fight like a jealous girlfriend. You can beat her easily, but only if you keep your head clear.”

“Fine… fine.” I said reluctantly. “How are you so good at this? You just found your mate yesterday too?”

“I’ve talked to Dad about this stuff more than you have. You’ve been busy with your shop, never had time to discuss mate dynamics. Plus, we weren’t sure who your mate would be.” Logan hesitated at the end.

“Fighters, take your positions!” Alpha Benedict’s voice boomed.

My attention snapped back to the present. The stands were filled with spectators, and someone was demonstrating moves to Helen. My eyes found my father, standing proudly beside Penelope.

“You’ve got this, X.” Logan gave me one last hug before stepping aside.

Facing that bitch, I started stretching my limbs. Adrenaline began pumping through my veins, excitement building once more. Una prowled within me, baring her fangs. She was thirsty for blood.

Helen gave me a stupid smirk, then glanced at Ryder, smiling at him. Following her gaze, I saw Ryder’s eyes fixed only on me. I felt him trying to connect with my mind, but I shut that door firmly. I needed to concentrate, and nothing he could say would help now. This fight was for me. Anyone who dared ambush me on my territory wouldn’t leave unscathed.

“Begin!” My father’s voice rang out, and Helen lunged at me.

I crouched, preparing myself. If I remembered correctly, Helen favored her right hand. My memory served me well–she feinted left but attacked from the right. I raised my forearm to block, countering with my left fist. She blocked too, but didn’t anticipate my knee coming up fast, connecting solidly with her stomach.

“Ugh…” she gasped, but recovered quickly. She used her momentum to drop down, sweeping my legs out from under me.

“Damn,” I cursed under my breath as I fell backward, but twisted my body in time to land on my hands and knees. Helen immediately pounced, landing a punch to my kidney. We’d practiced this move countless times, and my response was instinctive. I wrapped my arm around her neck and flipped her off me. We rolled together, and she landed a hard punch to the back of my head. I pinned her down and delivered a precise blow to her nose. It broke instantly, blood spraying. Not wanting to end the fight so quickly, I stood up and stepped back.

“Get up, bitch,” I called out loudly. I wanted everyone to know I wasn’t done.

Helen rolled over and sat up, wobbling as she got to her feet.

“Is that all you’ve got?” I taunted.

1/2

Chapter 111.

She charged again, but her movements were slow and weak. After caly blocking her right hand, I delivered an uppercut that sent her flying backward. Una clearly wasn’t satisfied yet. I walked forward, grabbed her by the collar, and lifted her up before kicking her square in the chest. Helen flew backward, hit the ropes, and fell to her knees. Then she collapsed completely. She tried to stand but fell forward instead. I walked over and flipped her onto her back. Helen’s face was swollen badly. I stood over her, and she looked up at me through her one eye that could still open.