Don't Poke the Luna (Xena and Ryder) novel Chapter 98

Don’t Poke the Luna

Chapter 98

Xena’s POV

“You’re going to be the death of me,” Ryder laughed, shaking his head as we pulled up to the pack house.

“As long as you die happy,” I shrugged, feeling that familiar flutter in my chest when he smiled at me like that. As we stopped the car, could see Dad and Benedict still standing outside, deep in conversation.

“Hey kids. Everything go smoothly?” Dad asked, his eyes quickly assessing the small amount of belongings I’d brought

“That’s a question you should ask Logan,” I replied with a smirk, grabbing my things while Ryder lifted the box containing the rest of my possessions.

Benedict’s eyes narrowed slightly. “That’s all of it?”

“Yeah, I travel light,” I said matter–of–factly. Together we headed upstairs to our room–our room, not just his anymore–and I set everything down on the coffee table, suddenly feeling oddly vulnerable with my meager belongings on display.

“I need to take care of these things,” Ryder said, his green eyes studying my face. “You going to be okay?”

“Yeah, Ama and I will be in her room for the rest of the day,” I answered, staring at the small pile representing my entire life.

Alright. This is your room now too,” Ryder said, his gaze sweeping across the space. “Think about what changes you want to make. I want you to feel comfortable here.”

I picked up two framed photographs and my jewelry box, walked to what would now be my side of the bed, and placed them carefully on the nightstand. Setting the jewelry box in front of the photos, I smiled faintly. “All done!” I gave Ryder a slightly sad smile, noticing he was flipping through my sketches.

“Those are private,” I said, feeling exposed.

“These are amazing,” Ryder continued browsing, undeterred. He paused at a sketch of Samuel, his finger tracing the edge of the paper. “Can I borrow this one?”

“Why?” I asked, feeling a protective reluctance rise in my chest.

“Trust me, okay?” His eyes held mine, filled with something I couldn’t quite read.

I wanted to say no, but looking at his expectant expression, I found it hard to refuse. Maybe sharing a piece of myself with him wasn’t such a terrible thing. “Fine.”

Ryder leaned down and pressed a kiss to my forehead. “I won’t damage it. Let’s go to Ama’s room.”

“Okay.”

After knocking once, Ama yanked the door open. “Finally!” She grabbed my hand and pulled me inside with surprising strength for someone her size.

“The massage therapists are already here. Your spot is ready!” She was practically bouncing with excitement.

“Bye! I called out as Ama slammed the door in an amused Ryder’s face.

Did I make him angry?” Ama asked, dragging me toward the massage table.

1/3

Don’t Poke the Luna

Chapter 98

Xena’s POV

“You’re going to be the death of me, Ryder laughed, shaking his head as we pulled up to the pack house.

“As long as you die happy,” I shrugged, feeling that familiar flutter in my chest when he smiled at me like that. As we stopped the car, I could see Dad and Benedict still standing outside, deep in conversation.

“Hey kids. Everything go smoothly?” Dad asked, his eyes quickly assessing the small amount of belongings I’d brought.

“That’s a question you should ask Logan,” I replied with a smirk, grabbing my things while Ryder lifted the box containing the rest of my possessions.

Benedict’s eyes narrowed slightly. “That’s all of it?”

“Yeah, I travel light,” I said matter–of–factly. Together we headed upstairs to our room–our room, not just his anymore–and I set everything down on the coffee table, suddenly feeling oddly vulnerable with my meager belongings on display.

“I need to take care of these things,” Ryder said, his green eyes studying my face. “You going to be okay?”

“Yeah, Ama and I will be in her room for the rest of the day,” I answered, staring at the small pile representing my entire life.

Alright. This is your room now too,” Ryder said, his gaze sweeping across the space. “Think about what changes you want to make. I want you to feel comfortable here.”

I picked up two framed photographs and my jewelry box, walked to what would now be my side of the bed, and placed them carefully on the nightstand. Setting the jewelry box in front of the photos, I smiled faintly. “All done!” I gave Ryder a slightly sad smile, noticing he was flipping through my sketches.

“Those are private,” I said, feeling exposed.

“These are amazing,” Ryder continued browsing, undeterred. He paused at a sketch of Samuel, his finger tracing the edge of the paper. “Can I borrow this one?”

“Why?” I asked, feeling a protective reluctance rise in my chest.

“Trust me, okay?” His eyes held mine, filled with something I couldn’t quite read.

I wanted to say no, but looking at his expectant expression, I found it hard to refuse. Maybe sharing a piece of myself with him wasn’t such a terrible thing. “Fine.”

Ryder leaned down and pressed a kiss to my forehead. “I won’t damage it. Let’s go to Ama’s room.”

“Okay.”

After knocking once, Ama yanked the door open. “Finally!” She grabbed my hand and pulled me inside with surprising strength for someone her size.

“The massage therapists are already here. Your spot is ready!” She was practically bouncing with excitement.

“Bye!” I called out as Ama slammed the door in an amused Ryder’s face.

Did I make him angry?” Ama asked, dragging me toward the massage table.

1/3

Chapter 98

“No, he just thinks you’re funny. I reassured her.

‘Great. Now strip and lie down. The massage therapist turned her bark while I removed my clothes and placed them on a chair. Once i was lying down, I covered myself with the sheet.

I closed my eyes and exhaled deeply, feeling the therapist’s skilled hands pressing into my shoulders. Each movement seemed to find exactly where tension had been building in my body, slowly bring it down.

The warm scent of essential oils filled the air, hints of lavender and Bergamot helping my mind drift into a peaceful state.

My thoughts wandered to what I wanted to do with our bedroom. Obviously, it would still need to have elements of Ryder in it. The room was primarily red and black. I’d just bought a red dress and a black dress. Maybe nothing needed to change. Maybe he’d already decorated it exactly how I would have wanted.

“Ah!” A sharp pain shot through my back, snapping me back to reality. I clenched my jaw, trying not to flinch.

“Breathe, the therapist reminded me softly, and I realized I’d been holding my breath. As she maintained pressure, the pain transformed from sharp to dull, like electricity ruhning through stiff muscles. I could feel the long–tense fibers resisting, then gradually surrendering to her expert technique. The pain was excruciating yet oddly satisfying.

Thirty minutes later, the love–hate massage ended.

“Thank you!” Ama said to the women as they left the room. If my hair hadn’t been a mess before, it certainly was now. That scalp massage had been incredible.

“Should I be worried about how good you feel right now?” Ryder joked in my mind.

“I’ll let you know how you compare after you show me what you can do tonight,” I teased back.

“Challenge accepted,” Ryder murmured, his voice dropping to that deep tone that always sent shivers down my spine.

“Hello? Earth to Xena!” Ama snapped her fingers in front of my face.

“Sorry!” I smiled at her.

“You can shower first!” she announced.

“Yes, ma’am!” I jumped up and ran naked into the bathroom to prepare for my shower.

I couldn’t help myself. The mental link with Ryder was still open. “OH, Ryder,” I moaned as I caressed myself.

There was something strangely satisfying about teasing him this way

“What are you doing?! Stop that!” He was wrestling with desire; I could feel it.

“What? I’m just showering. My body is all wet. The soap is running down my-”

“Unless you want me to come up there and take you in front of Ama, I suggest you stop,” he warned.

“Doesn’t sound like such a bad idea.”