Don''t Poke the Luna


    Xena''s POV


    "Y-Yes... yes..." My voice quivered, words stumbling over themselves as the sharp edge of pain melted into a rush of pleasure. Each sensation was a wave, pulling me deeper into Ryder''s orbit. I could el his awareness of my body''s shift, the moment I rxed beneath him. He quickened his pace, but there was still a careful restraint in his movements, like he was holding back a storm just for me.


    "I can''t hold on much longer," Ryder rasped, his voice strained with the effort of control. His rhythm intensified, each thrust steady but faster, coaxing my body to meet him. The moonlight bathed us, sting shadows across the pic nket spread beneath us, the night alive with the hum of our connection.


    "Oh!" A moan escaped me as that familiar pressure began to build again, coiling tight in my core. Ryder''s lips found my neck, trailing fire across my skin until they lingered on my corbone, that sensitive spot that made my entire body shudder. "Ryder!" His name was a plea, a confession of how desperately I needed him, howpletely he consumed me.


    "Just a little longer," he murmured, his breath hot against my skin. My legs tightened around his waist, anchoring me to him. In one fluid motion, he lifted me, repositioning us so I was straddling hisp. My hips moved instinctively, rocking against him with a force that outpaced his own thrusts. His hands gripped my hips, firm and guiding, syncing our rhythms until we were one. A primal urge surged within me, raw and undeniable-the need to mark him, to im him as mine. My fangs descended, a flicker of hesitation in my eyes as I wrestled with the weight of what it meant.


    Ryder saw it, his gaze steady and warm, filled with unspoken encouragement. "Do it," he said softly, his voice a lifeline. I met his eyes, and he gently pulled me closer, his strength a quiet support. My lips brushed the curve of his neck, and his body trembled beneath me. Then, with a breath, I sank my fangs into his skin, piercing deep until I felt bone. A guttural growl rumbled from his chest, his arms wrapping around me in a fierce embrace. His breathing was ragged, but he kept us moving, our bodies still locked in their dance.


    Slowly, I retracted my fangs, my tongue gliding over the wound, tasting the metallic tang of his blood mingled with his scent. It sent my heart racing, the intimacy of the act binding us closer. Ryder pulled my head back, his lips crashing against mine in a kiss that was all fire and passion. It was as if our souls touched, the mate bond thrumming between us. "I''m about to lose it," he warned, his voice thick with need.


    "Take me hard," I whispered against his ear, my words barely a breath but heavy with intent. Ryder paused, his eyes searching mine for any trace of pain or doubt. Finding none, heid me back on the nket and unleashed himself. The sound of skin against skin echoed through the quiet valley, each thrust pushing me closer to the edge. “Ryder!” I moaned, my body trembling under the intensity, my breasts bouncing with his relentless rhythm. He was merciless, and I wanted every second of it.


    His fangs gleamed in the moonlight, sharp and wild, as he brushed my hair aside to expose my neck. My nerves sparked, my pulse thundering in my ears. He leaned closer, his body pressed against mine, his voiceced with concern. "Xena..." The way he said my name, full of care, made my heart ache.


    "Do it! Please!" I begged, the pressure inside me teetering on the brink, desperate for release.


    "Look at me,” he said, his voice low and almost pained. I opened my eyes, meeting his gaze as it flickered between my face and my neck, torn between desire and fear of hurting me. "I love you," he whispered, and then his fangs sank into my neck, piercing deep. My scream shattered the night, scattering birds from the trees as our climaxes collided, a torrent of ecstasy that consumed us both. A deep growl vibrated through Ryder''s chest, the final piece of our mate bond locking into ce, sealing us as one.


    He released my neck, his tongue gently cleaning the wound with a tenderness that made my chest tighten. My body felt weightless, drained, as darkness crept into the edges of my vision, "Don''t fight it. Sleep, love. I''ll be here when you wake.


    I love you," he murmured, his voice a soft anchor in the haze.


    "Love you..." I managed, my words fading as the world slipped away.


    The first thing I heard was the cheerful chirping of birds, their songs weaving through the morning air. Then came the sparks, a


    tingling warmth that danced cross my skin,forting and electric It was the mate bond, alive and humming, wrapping me in its embrace. "You awake?" Ryder''s voice was a gentle whisper, like the rest light of dawn.


    "Nope," I mumbled, rolling over to bury my face in his chest. Ifis warmth, his scent, was home. I wanted to stay here forever, Cocooned in this moment.


    "Happy birthday," he said, his hand stroking my back in slow, soothing circles, like he was calming a skittish wolf.


    "Thanks," I replied, my voice thick with sleep, a smile tugging at my lips.


    "We should head back. There''s a birthday breakfast waiting for you," he said, his fingers still tracingzy patterns on my skin.


    I peeked through myshes, catching the soft glow of sunlight filtering through the trees. "It''s too early for breakfast," I grumbled, not ready to leave the safety of his arms.


    "Your dad and brother areing. You want them smelling... us?" His teasing tone snapped me awake, a flush creeping up my neck.


    I bolted upright, scanning the nket for my clothes. "Where''s my stuff?"


    "Right here." Ryder handed me a neat pile of folded garments, his eyes glinting with amusement. I hesitated, suddenly self-conscious about dressing in front of him in the daylight. But this was my mate, the man I''d bared my soul to. Swallowing my nerves, I slipped on my bra, then my panties, and finally my dress, trying to act like it was no big deal.


    "We should take this stuff back," I said, gesturing to the scattered pic remnants and the nket beneath us.


    "Nah. When you girls start getting ready for tonight, William and I wille clean up," he said, his tone casual, like it was the most natural thing in the world.


    "That feels wrong," I said, frowning. Leaving a mess for someone else didn''t sit right with me.


    "I did the same for him and Amara," Ryder said with a grin.


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