Don't Poke the Luna (Xena and Ryder) novel Chapter 32

Chapter 32

Xena’s POV

We all piled into the SUV, Logan taking the driver’s seat. Leonard turned to me from the front passenger seat, his platinum blonde hair catching the evening light. “X, why did you have to crash my date with my girl?” he complained, his blue eyes narrowing in mock offense.

“Oh, I was just saving them from imminent danger,” I shot back with a teasing grin, my lips curving into a bright smile.

While everyone continued their loud conversations, I gazed out the window, watching the trees blur past as we drove along the winding road leading toward pack territory.

“Xena! That drink you mixed was killer!” William called out from the back.

–

I turned, about to respond, when something caught my eye through the window – a pair of yellow eyes glowing in the darkness, moving rapidly toward our vehicle. My heart

clenched instantly, fear coursing through my body like an electric current.

“Logan! ROGUE!” I screamed, but before the words had fully left my mouth, the feral

werewolf slammed into our SUV with bone–crushing force.

The impact was so powerful it sent our vehicle flipping onto its side. We skidded across

the asphalt, metal screeching against concrete until we crashed into a tree with a

sickening crunch. I felt glass shards embedding themselves into my skin, my ribs

protesting the sudden assault. Warm liquid trickled down my face, but adrenaline was already flooding my system.

I spotted a Rogue trying to tear through the shattered windshield. Instinctively, I kicked up with both feet, catching it squarely in the nose and forcing it backward. Fear and determination mingled inside me – this wasn’t the time to be afraid; it was time to fight.

I tried desperately to call forth my wolf, but failed. The attacking Rogue edged closer again, baring razor–sharp fangs, drool dripping from its mouth, its eyes wild with

madness.

“LOGAN!” I shouted, hoping to draw his attention. Logan was battling two Rogues fiercely, his form moving swiftly between enemies. He seemed to hear my voice and tried to race

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Chapter 32

toward me, but another Rogue blocked his path, preventing him from reaching me.

A flash of desperation crossed my vision. There was no time to wait. I chose to run toward the forest at the roadside. Twigs snapped beneath my feet as I ran with everything I had, but my injuries slowed me down. The Rogue pursued relentlessly, its teeth nearly grazing my back, making me almost choke with fear. After several close calls with branches, I finally tripped over a low–hanging limb and crashed hard to the ground.

I watched the Rogue approach step by step, its form growing larger, almost feeling the breath of death upon me.

Reluctantly, I closed my eyes, waiting for the final moment.

Then, I felt a powerful surge erupt from deep within me, my wolf nature finally awakening.

With an intense transformation, my vision sharpened, my body no longer restricted by human limitations. Una’s power swept through me, the silver wolf appearing like lightning beside me. Her claws and deadly teeth struck at the Rogue’s vulnerable spots with a fury

and determination I’d never felt before.

Una dodged an attack before leaping onto the Rogue’s back, sinking her teeth into its shoulder and tearing away a chunk of flesh from the bone. Blood stained her mouth, and its agonized howls were like music to her ears.

Just as she prepared to deliver the killing blow, a massive black wolf approached and snapped the Rogue’s neck with one powerful bite. Una felt no gratitude, almost wanting to take a bite out of the black wolf herself.

But there was no time to keep staring. More Rogues appeared. Ama was fighting as fiercely as the boys, but Leonard’s date looked terrified. Una pushed her behind a tree, standing guard in front.

Logan was still battling two Rogues but seemed to be handling it. Leonard’s wolf form was toying with his opponent, while Samuel had already killed his enemy and was looking for more targets. I guessed the stupid black wolf was Ryder, his movements as precise as the man himself. Una found herself slightly entranced by his wolf form.

As Samuel helped Logan kill the two Rogues, all enemies within my sight had been eliminated. It seemed we’d dealt with all of them. They shouldn’t have messed with us.

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Chapter 32