Don't Poke the Luna (Xena and Ryder) novel Chapter 16

Chapter 16

Xena’s POV

William wasn’t the same person I’d seen before. The air around him was intense. His hands gripped the necks of Helen’s two helpers tightly, his knuckles white with pressure.

“Come to Alpha Hank’s office with Alpha Benedict tomorrow. We’ll settle the details there,” Logan said, his voice carrying the authority he’d been born to wield.

“We’ll be there,” Ryder responded, glancing at Helen before asking Logan, “Your cell or

mine?”

“Mine,” I answered for Logan. Ryder stared at me for a second, then nodded in agreement.

“No!” Helen cried out, struggling against Logan’s restraint, her voice shrill with panic.

“I’ve got the SUV at the door,” Leonard announced as he rushed over, dangling the keys in

his hand.

“Samuel,” Logan nodded, then looked toward Samuel, gesturing toward the door with a tilt

of his head.

Samuel approached me without asking how I felt. He simply examined my injuries silently before lifting me in a bridal carry, carefully avoiding my major wounds. Still, I had to bite down on his shoulder to stifle a scream of pain. He stood still, letting me adjust, waiting for the pain to subside. After a moment, I released his shoulder and rested my head against his chest.

The damn pain was nearly suffocating, but I refused to show weakness in front of outsiders. I could feel the warmth of Samuel’s chest, his heartbeat steady and strong, offering me an unexpected comfort.

“Bitch,” I muttered as Samuel carried me toward the door, turning right toward the back

exit.

William escorted the two girls behind us, with Ryder following close behind. They headed in the opposite direction, toward the main entrance.

“Um, Blade?” Ama looked at us and then at William with concern clouding her face.

1/4

7:15 pm F

Chapter 16

I raised my head with effort. “It’s fine. Go with them, then come back for the meeting.”

I saw Ama’s face on the verge of tears, and I didn’t want her to worry, though I knew she could feel my pain. The sensation of layer upon layer of constriction spread through my chest, each breath feeling like a stab wound.

“Are you okay?” she asked, her voice trembling. She gently brushed the hair from my

forehead.

“I’ve been through worse,” I gave her a weak smile.

“Moon bless you, Blade,” she kissed my cheek before heading off to find William.

I slowly closed my eyes, my ears processing the club’s noise, the greetings from the

bouncers at the door, and finally the sound of the SUV door closing.

I leaned against Samuel the entire time, with Leonard firmly gripping Helen. Logan was

driving. No one spoke during the ride. Logan drove home first, where Leonard got out and

took Helen straight to the cells. Then we drove to the hospital. Logan said the doctor and my father were waiting for us.

“Logan, what happened?” my father demanded as the doctor performed the X–ray.

“She was ambushed by three girls. One of them is in our cell. Alpha Benedict will come to

discuss punishment. X challenged one of the girls to a duel. Also, Ama and their future

Beta William are mates.”

“This is complicated,” my father sighed. “Are you alright, X?” He looked at me with

concern.