Don't Poke the Luna (Xena and Ryder) novel Chapter 214

Chapter 214

Xena’s POV

She turned around and sighed, looking at me with those eyes that could always read my anxiety. “What is it now? Ama asked, her blonde curls bobbing as she tilted her head.

I felt the anxiety churning in my chest, every second precious time sipping away. My thoughts were like ignited gunpowder, exploding in all directions.

“We need to make a list. We’ll have groups of people to transport. Ieed to tell them exact numbers. Keep family members together while calculating how many vehicles we can fill at once.‘

“I can do that,” she replied. Though I loved Ama dearly, I needed more hands right now.

“Ryder?” I called through our mind link, the connection between us vibrating with urgency.

“What is it? I’m finishing something up, I’ll be there soon. William just briefed me.” His voice echoed in my mind, his presence a comforting warmth even through the psychic connection.

“I need Penelope to help organize these plans.”

“I’ll call Logan, have him contact the office directly. Is that okay?” His tone was steady, grounding me when I felt like I was spinning out of control.

“Thanks,” I replied simply, ending the conversation. “Ama, could you help me get this stuff off?” I asked, gesturing to the maps and papers spread across my head.

“Of course.” She stood and came to my side. When she removed everything, it felt uncomfortable, but once it was gone, breathing suddenly became easier. “You good?” she asked while placing them on the floor. The phone started ringing.

“Penny?” I snatched up the receiver, hoping it was her.

“No, it’s Logan. What’s going on?” My twin’s voice came through, steady but tense.

“I need Penelope’s help. We have barely any time before we start sending people through, and-” My words tumbled out urgently, my heart racing, palms starting to sweat.

“Ryder already told me. He said William filled him in about moving during the battle,” Logan cut me off. His voice sounded distant, like he was already mentally preparing for what was coming.

“Right. I need another set of hands. I need Penny to make sure each vehicle arrives on time with the correct number of people. I’ll email you both the information, but I need her confirmation on everything.”

“We don’t have much time. You need to get our brains working, and figure this shit out,” Logan said, irritation edging his voice. Just then, my office door opened and Ryder walked in, his body drenched in sweat, looking mad as hell.

“I’m trying,” I snapped back, matching his annoyance.

“I’ll call Penelope and tell her to watch for your email. I’ll give her this number so she can call you. Write it down–it’s our house number. I’ve gotta go.”

Okay, Logan?” I said quickly before he could hang up.

“What?”

1/2

Chapter 214

*Be careful. I–I love you. The three words felt strange coming from y mouth, but I needed to say them. Just in case.

“Now isn’t the time for you to start having a heart, Logan joked, a small chuckle escaping him. “Love you too, sis. The line went

dead.

“Tell me what’s happening,” Ryder demanded, his hands gripping our lesk as he leaned forward, impatient for me to finish my call. He was struggling to control his anger, but failing miserably–his Alpha aura was affecting Ama, making her try to distance herself from him.

I could feel his emotions like storm clouds gathering, heavy and dangerous. His anger wasn’t directed at me, but at the entire situation. Still, that powerful Alpha energy made the air in the room thick, making it hard to breathe, for a moment.

“Look.” I stood up, carefully pointing to each pin on the map. “These are the locations. They’re not distributed across the pack lands the way I imagined. If you place another pin here, it forms a perfect riangle. Making it the perfect location for another attack point. The pack house would be right in the middle.” I traced the pattern with my finger. “Besides, these tunnels would take years to dig. Not months, and certainly not during the time since I first met Tatum. All of this was planned long before I came into the picture. Alpha Wiley has been plotting this for a long time. I think he’s using Tatum as a distraction. By making us believe Tatum wanted to kidnap me, he kept your focus there.”

“He did kidnap you,” Ryder responded, like he was struggling to understand it all. His brow furrowed, his expression a mixture of confusion and rage.