Don't Poke the Luna (Xena and Ryder) novel Chapter 264

Chapter 264

Xena’s POV

A bucket of ice–cold water slammed into my face, the shock of it driving straight into my bones. I gasped, choking on the water that filled my mouth and nose. Before I could fully process what was happening, two sharp slaps cracked across my cheeks, the stinging pain cutting through the fog in my head like a blade.

My eyes snapped open to find Alpha Wiley’s face inches from mine, his expression twisted with barely controlled rage. His hand wrapped around my throat, squeezing just hard enough to make breathing difficult, and he delivered two more vicious slaps that made my ears ring.

I need your blood serum. Now. His voice was hoarse, almost frantic, and there was something unhinged in his eyes that made my blood run cold. In his place stood someone who looked like he was teetering on the edge of complete madness.

I forced myself to look around the room, taking in our new surroundings despite the throbbing in my skull. Medical equipment lined the walls—monitors with blinking lights, IV stands, and machines I couldn’t identify. The sterile smell of antiseptic burned my nostrils. In the center of the room sat a metal surgical table with leather restraints hanging from its sides.

I didn’t give him the satisfaction of a response. Instead, I met his gaze with the coldest stare I could muster.

Alpha Wiley’s brow furrowed at my silence. Without a word, he stood and glanced at one of his warriors. The man immediately bolted from the room.

Two minutes. When the door opened again, my heart shattered into a thousand pieces.

They dragged Tom in like a broken doll. He was barely conscious, wearing nothing but his underwear, his body covered in burns and cuts. His head lolled forward, too heavy for his weakened neck muscles to support.

I tried to rise, desperate to help him, but the cold barrel of a gun pressed against the back of my skull forced me back to my knees.

Alpha Wiley calmly loaded bullets into his handgun as he walked toward Tom. He grabbed Tom’s hair brutally, yanking his head up so that Tom’s unfocused eyes met mine. Tom’s lips moved slightly, trying to form words, but only weak mumblings escaped. The pain in my chest was unbearable.

BANG!

The gunshot exploded through the room. Tom’s brain matter splattered across the white walls, painting them in red streaks. Alpha Wiley’s face and clothing were covered in blood, as was the warrior standing nearby. The sudden violence stunned me into silence–I couldn’t process what had just happened. Tom’s headless body crumpled to the floor with a wet thud.

The ringing in my ears from the gunshot mixed with my own screams as I let out a sound of pure anguish. “WHAT are you FUCKING DOING!

Alpha Wiley’s expression remained unchanged. A flicker of contempt crossed his eyes as he wiped blood from his face with the back of his hand. Without missing a beat, he strode toward William’s unconscious form on the floor.

Another bucket of ice water crashed over William, followed by brutal kicks to his ribs and stomach. William jerked awake with a gasp, his body convulsing as consciousness returned along with the pain. Blood trickled from his mouth as he struggled to breathe.

Alpha Wiley grabbed William’s face, forcing him to look directly at me. “I need your blood serum,” Alpha Wiley said, his voice dripping with impatience. “Cooperate with me, or he dies.“/

My heart sank to the bottom of my chest. “NO! Don’t hurt him!” The words exploded from my throat before I could stop them.

William’s hands flailed weakly at his sides as he fought against his restraints. “Don’t… don’t listen to him, he managed to rasp out, his voice hoarse and broken.

BANG!

Another gunshot. William’s scream of agony tore through the air as Alpha Wiley’s bullet shattered his shinbone. I could see the bone protruding through his skin, blood pooling beneath his leg.

Tom’s death was still burning in my vision, and I couldn’t watch another person I cared about die because of me. My heart was being crushed in a vine guilt and helplessness.

Chapter 264

I struggled against my restraints, every fiber of my being wanting to tear Alpha Wiley apart. But seeing William’s agonized face, knowing that my defiance would only bring him more pain, I forced myself to nod slightly.

“No… don’t do this,” William gasped out through gritted teeth. “Ryder will-”

Alpha Wiley stood and delivered a vicious kick to William’s temple. William’s protests cut off as his eyes rolled back and he went limp, unconscious once again.

‘You fucking asshole!‘ I roared, my voice raw with fury. ‘I already agreed!”