Don''t Poke the Luna


    Xena''s POV


    I rose to my feet and began to pace, words spewing out like vomit. have a freaking lunatic after me, possibly even sending Rogues to kidnap me. Yet my father thinks I shouldn''t be present during the interrogation just because I''m a girl. My future mother-inw doesn''t want me as Luna and won''t allow her son to be Alpha because of me. All because they''re worried you''ll fail in the challenge against Tatum. So I''m holding everything back just by existing. Then I thought by bonding with you I''d finally escape Martha''s ws, be away from her verbal abuse, only to find out that was a dan lie. So yes, I fucking exploded, okay? I couldn''t take it anymore. I''m not some damn doll that needs to be coddled. I''ve been training as a warrior my entire life. I''ve seen just as much as you have! Just because I have female organs doesn''t mean I don''t deserve equal treatment!"


    Without thinking, I hurled my ss at the wall with all my strength Watching it shatter into hundreds of pieces felt like seeing a reflection of my broken heart. The rage inside me boiled like magma every word a roar torn from the depths of my soul. Years of built-up resentment and injustice finally burst through the dam.


    Ryder leaned forward, pushed his drink toward me, then leaned back again. I stared at the ss, confusion overtaking all other emotions.


    "W-what?" My voice suddenly softened, the angry energy beginning to dissipate. "Have a drink," Ryder said calmly.


    "I don''t want another drink." I could feel the anger draining from my body because I could sense his calmness. The half bottle of whiskey I''d downed earlier was doing its job too. My brain was starting to feel slightly fuzzy, but the emotional storm was slowly settling.


    "Nobody''s angry or upset," Ryder rested his head on his hand, watching me.


    "Why not?" I was confused, thinking I''d just pped a Luna across the face. "Several reasons. First, you don''t belong to that pack, and she clearly doesn''t respect you. You have the right to handle it however you see fit. Second, she had iting. Honestly, I''m surprised you didn''t do it sooner." Ryder stood and walked over to me. He ced his hand on my shoulder, then ran it down my arm.


    "I''m proud of you. You finally put her in her ce. It''s up to you. If you want, you can ban her froming here again." His touch made my skin tingle slightly, his gentle tone sending a wave of warmth through my core.


    "But-but your father... your mother..." I struggled to make sense of the situation. My brain worked overtime trying to figure out the logic of it all.


    "She thinks you were right to do it. Your father isn''t even that upset. Ryder ced his hand under my chin, lifting my face to his. "Everything''s fine."


    I opene and closed my mouth several times as Ryder caressed my cheek. His touch soothed me while also transmitting a sense of calm. I could feel the connection between us, that force that could bring me down from my rage.


    "I still want to be there when they interrogate the Rogue," I said stubbornly. "Okay," Ryder said simply.


    "Okay? Just like that I looked at him, waiting for the other shoe to drop. The distrust in my heart made me watch him warily, waiting for the "but to appear.


    Like you said, if you didn''t have female organs, you''d be there without question. Don''t me me for trying to protect my girl. I forgot you''re as tough as the boys." The corner of his mouth lifted in an understanding smile, his eyes glimmering with respect.


    4224


    "Good." I wasn''t sure what else to say. A wave of gratitude and relief washed over me finally, someone who truly understood me, who respected my abilities.


    "Want to check out the progress on the activity center afterward? Ryler asked. "On the bikes?"


    "Sounds good." I tried not to sound too eager, but Ryder saw right though me. He pulled me into an embrace, trying to hide his


    smile.


    The thought of ridingter sent a thrill of excitement from the soles of my feet throughout my body. Ryder finally released me but kept hold of my hand as we left the bedroom and headed downstairs to Alpha Benedict''s office.


    I still felt a bit awkward about what I''d done. But knowing that, bitch had iting, my expression rxed a little.


    Ryder knocked twice, then opened the door and pulled me inside. Da and Alpha Benedict were talking. Martha sat in a chair with an ice pack on her jaw. Luna Kestrel stood behind Alpha Benedict.


    "Come here, child." Dad opened his arms for me to approach. My legs moved faster than I''d expected, Nothingpared to thefort of a parental hug. When I threw myself into his embrace, that familiar sense of security immediately surrounded me, as if I were back in childhood, when the world was simple and problems could all be solved by my father.


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