Don''t Poke the Luna


    Xena''s POV


    "I have my ways to convince you," William joked, walking over to set up the movie.


    "What is it?" I asked Ryder through our mind link, noticing his sudden tension.


    He didn''t answer, just handed me his phone. Taking it, I saw an emai disyed on the screen.


    "Ryder, I''m requesting a meeting with you tomorrow afternoon to discuss my promotion opportunities within the pack. There are several positions avable, and I''d like to apply for them and get your guidance. If 3 PM works for you, please let me know. Love,


    Helen


    Helen again. She always found ways to get close to Ryder. I shook my head, no longer angry about her tactics, just weary of them.


    "How did you respond?" I asked, trying to keep my voice neutral.


    Ryder ook the phone back, swiped a few times, then handed it to me again.


    "Helen, 3 PM works. Luna Xena and I will both be present. Alpha Ryder"


    I nodded in approval. "Why don''t you have your own office?"


    "Never really needed one," Ryder shrugged, lying down behind me. William turned off the lights as the movie began.


    "I think we should have our own office. I need somewhere to handle my shop''s ounts, and considering all the new responsibilities I''m taking on, having a space to organize everything would be nice.


    "Okay, I''ll look into it," Ryder wrapped his arm around me, pulling me tightly against him.


    The movie started slow, like every horror film. I gradually lost interest and turned over, resting my head against Ryder''s chest. As he gently stroked my back, I closed my eyes and slowly drifted off to sleep.


    "Come on, wake up!" My body was being shaken, but I refused to acknowledge I was awake. In my foggy state, I just wanted to sink back into that peaceful darkness.


    "I know you''re awake and can hear me," Ryderughed.


    "I don''t want to be awake. How did I get here?" I mumbled, my eyelids still too heavy to lift.


    "I carried you. You wouldn''t wake up,pletely passed out." The mattress shifted as I felt Ryder stand up.


    "Why are you waking me?" I asked irritably, my voice full of annoyance. I hated being dragged from good dreams, especially when I was enjoyingfortable sleep.


    We need to go to school."


    "I changed my mind. Let me sleep." I grabbed the nkets and pulled them over my head. Just as I found afortable position, the nkets were viole yanked away from me. Cold air assaulted my body, and I sat up quickly.


    "What the hell? I nearly screamed, shocked by the sudden chill.


    Rise and shine, sleeping beauty." Ryderughed at my expression but turned and walked into the closet.


    I was angry but had no choice except to get up and shower. However feeling particrly childish, I locked the bathroom door. To my satisfaction, I heard the doorknob rattle, knowing Ryder had noticed the locked door. This small act of defiance gave me a petty sense of revenge, though I knew it was immature.


    The hot water felt wonderful and definitely helped wake me up. The warm stream from the showerhead washed away my morning grumpiness. After drying off, I started doing my makeup and hair.


    "How much longer are you going to be?" Ryder called through the door, impatience evident in his tone.


    I turned on the hairdryer, pretending not to hear him. Eventually, he walked away, and I was able to finish straightening my hair.


    When I went to the closet, Ryder hadn''t returned, so I put on a romper and was fastening my sandals when he walked in.


    "Hi, I said with a small smile.


    "Talking to me again?" Ryder ced a cream cheese bagel in front of me.


    "What do you mean?" I yed dumb, taking a bite of the bagel. "Thanks," I added with a wink.


    "Yeah, well. We need to go." Ryder nced at his watch.


    "Where''s your mom? I need a tote bag for Ama''s and my stuff," I suddenly remembered our task for the day.


    After a moment, Ryder answered, "She''s in Dad''s office. We can meet her at the front door, she''ll bring you some.''


    "Perfect!" I jumped up, grabbing my wallet and phone, and we headed out. After locking the door, we walked to the foyer, but his mother wasn''t there yet. Ryder kept checking his watch as if we were runningte.


    "Where is she?" he muttered.


    "What''s the rush? We''re not going to ss. Just picking up our stuff anding back home," I said, confused by his anxiety.


    "Logan''s waiting for us at 8:30, and I hate beingte," Ryder sighed, just as his mother appeared around the corner.


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