Don''t Poke the Luna


    Xena''s POV


    The blood on my arm had stopped flowing, beginning to dry in the summer heat. The image of the Rogue shouting to his men kept reying in my mind: "Grab her!" he had yelled. The only person I could think of who would want me was Tatum. The thought of being kidnapped terrified me to the point of suffocation, like an invisible hand clutching at my throat, making it nearly impossible to breathe.


    I kept moving forward, exhaustion filling my body as the adrenalineaded. Each step felt like I was dragging lead weights, my consciousness bing foggy, my body no longer feeling like my own. As I stepped over a fallen log, my foot caught, and I fell,nding on my hands and knees. Tears began to form in my eyes, and I could no longer control myself as a small sob escaped my lips. I felt so helpless, so vulnerable, like one of those nightmares from my childhooding to life again.


    That''s when a pair of strong arms wrapped around my waist, pulling me up and close against him. Electric sparks shot through my entire body as Ryder sat on a fallen log and ced me on hisp. He began gently rubbing my back.


    "I''m sorry," he said, his words confusing me.


    "What do you mean?" I looked up at him, a tear sliding down my cheek as I tried to read the emotions in his eyes.


    “That you had to kill someone. Even if he was a Rogue, he was still a person.”


    "You think that''s what''s bothering me right now?" I couldn''t believe it, a small re of anger rising within me. How could he not understand me? After everything, did he still not know what truly frightened me?


    "Isn''t it?"


    "No. This isn''t my first kill. Don''t you remember the car crash?"


    "I remember, but you didn''t kill anyone then, and there weren''t a dozen people there," Ryder''s tone was full of concern but also tinged with confusion.


    "Ryder, since knowing you, I''ve been through three different Rogue attacks. The first was when Logan was run off the road, and yes, I did kill someone then. The second was when you were shot, and I saved your life. Now there''s today. I''m not afraid of Rogues. I''m


    d already. afraid of losing you. Seeing that Rogue on top of you..." I shook my head, looking at his bite marks. They had almost


    "Ryder, if I''m not mistaken, they were trying to kidnap me!" As I spoke the words, my body began trembling. Kidnapping. In my greatest fears, it ranked right alongside rape.


    "Shh," Ryder cupped my face as the tears started flowing. "I would rather die than let you be kidnapped. I promised to keep you safe." Ryder wrapped his arms around me. His scent enveloped me, warm and solid, like an imprable shield standing between me and the world.


    Once I calmed down, Ryder stood up, holding me as he began walking. I didn''t even protest him carrying me.


    It seemed like an eternity before we reached the hospital. The cool air hit my skin, raising goosebumps as nurses rushed forward with a gurney.


    "Luna Xena, we''re going to take care of you, okay?" one nurse said gently, though I could.see wariness in her eyes-she knew who I was, knew I wasn''t an ordinary patient.


    "I''m fine, really. This ispletely unnecessary." I tried to sound strong, but the wounds were beginning to throb, my body reminding me of its limits.


    "Let them do their job," Ryder sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose.


    With a sigh, I leaned back and let her start pressing on my wounds.


    "Does that hurt?" she asked cautiously.


    I was bitten thirty minutes ago, and you''re asking if the wound hurt?" I knew I was


    being rather sharp, but what a stupid question. Deep down, I knew I was overreacting, but the stress and exhaustion made it impossible to control my emotions.


    "S-sorry, Luna." She quickly left the room, and another nurse took over cleaning the wound.


    "Xena." Ryder sighed, looking at me. I nced at him, his arms crossed, still quite angry. His gaze made me feel guilty.


    "I don''t want to hear it. I did what I had to do to make sure you survived. It''s nothing. I''ll be healed by the ball next week. You won''t even see the wound." I tried to sound casual.


    "Do you want to call Alpha Hank, or should I?"


    “I guess I will." I held out my hand for the phone.


    "I don''t have my phone on me. We''ll wait until we get home." Ryder stood motionless as the nurse quietly cleaned the wound. After giving me a shot, she looked up from her work.


    "Any fractures?" she asked.


    "Doesn''t feel like it," I answered, moving my arm and trying to ignore the stinging that came with the movement.


    "It''s your call whether you want X-rays."


    "I think I''m fine," I sighed, just wanting to go home. I was tired of all of this-the blood, the fear, the antiseptic smell of the hospital, and Ryder''s worried gaze.


    "Alright. No stitches needed, so just try to let them scab over before doing anything too crazy. If you notice any redness,e back, it could be an infection. I''ve given you antibiotics just in case. Any questions?"


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