Don’t Poke the Luna Chapter 118

Xena’s POV

We had been sampling appetizers and main courses for what felt like hours, and no matter what I chose, Luna Kestrel just smiled and agreed. Even when I couldn't decide and wanted to select everything, she simply nodded with that graceful smile of hers.

Luna Kestrel jotted down all the dishes on a piece of paper. I couldn't help but notice her handwriting—fluid and elegant, just like her. "And finally, desserts!" she announced with enthusiasm.

"This is a chocolate pistachio dome. When you cut into it, there's German chocolate mousse inside with a brownie base and chocolate sauce. This is a passion fruit parfait with graham cracker bottom. This is a raspberry strawberry tart. And finally, a blueberry cake shooter."

Ryder cut into the chocolate dome and fed me a bite. The chocolate melted in my mouth, and I couldn't help but let out a moan of pleasure. For a moment, the entire world disappeared, leaving nothing but this exquisite flavor exploding across my senses.

"That's so good," I mumbled, my mouth full of chocolate.

"I think she heard enough of your moans last night. If you keep that up, I'll take you right here in front of her," Ryder said through our mind link.

I was in the middle of swallowing the chocolate and instantly choked. God, how could he say something like that in this setting? My face must have turned crimson, not just from choking but from the heat his bold suggestion sent rushing through my body.

"Oh my goodness! Are you alright?" Luna Kestrel asked with concern.

"I'm fine. Just went down the wrong way," I managed between coughs, mentally cursing Ryder for his inappropriate timing.

We tried the other two desserts as well, and the decision, once again, was to have them all. I couldn't say I was disappointed.

"Wonderful! So, you can eat anything you like now. Whatever doesn't get eaten will be discarded, so please feel free to enjoy anything." Luna Kestrel smiled. "I'm going to note these down and I'll be right back!" She bounced out of the room with an energy that reminded me of Ama.

I grabbed a plate of sushi and walked over to sit on the couch.

"I'm surprised you didn't go for the chocolate," Ryder said with a smirk as he took the duck.

"I didn't want to be naked by the time she comes back," I muttered, popping a piece of sushi into my mouth.

Ryder sat down, raising an eyebrow. "So, did you enjoy last night?"

"I did, actually."

"What parts did you enjoy the most?" Ryder bit into his duck.

"The massage was the best part," I teased.

"Really?" He cocked one eyebrow at me.

"Yeah. Your fingers are quite talented." I put another sushi roll in my mouth.

"I see," Ryder said as his mother walked back into the room.

"I've got everything sorted out! What are your plans for the rest of the day?" she asked, taking a seat with a cranberry pear salad.

"Going to check on the progress at the shop," I said, finishing my last bite of sushi. I stood up to return my plate and grabbed the chocolate dessert.

"Ah! I hope that's going well! Have you had to reschedule many clients?"

"Yes. I'm usually booked several weeks in advance."

"That's fantastic. What made you want to work so much?"

"I enjoy drawing and motorcycles. It was a creative way to make money and get away from the pack house for a while."

"I just can't believe you've managed to run and create such a successful business!" Luna Kestrel complimented.

"Thank you. I enjoy it." I smiled back at her.

God, this dessert is incredible. I had to fight back another moan as I took another bite. Ryder raised an eyebrow at me, but I tried to avoid his gaze.

"What else do you enjoy doing?" she asked.

I thought about it before answering. "I like being busy. I don't enjoy days where there's nothing to do. So, I just do anything that fills my day."

"That's wonderful!" Luna Kestrel responded enthusiastically.

"Well, I mostly plan events, and yes, I do get involved in some of the work, but I have people I can delegate tasks to. Actually, Penelope, my brother's mate, used to be my personal assistant. Now I need to find a new one."

"What kind of people do you typically hire?" Luna Kestrel seemed genuinely interested in my work.

"Well, I hire people who are scholars like me, those who don't have a creative outlet. Possibly also those who get into trouble because they're not being pushed or given opportunities to use their talents."

"You have such a kind heart." She finished her salad and set the bowl down. "What changes would you like to see here?"

The last bite of dessert was just centimeters from my mouth when she asked this question. My body froze as her question penetrated my ears.

"Changes?" I asked, then finally brought that last bite to my mouth.

"Yes! Is there anything about our pack that you'd like to change?"

"Oh... um... honestly I haven't thought about it. There's still so much I haven't seen. I know when I helped Ama, she had some things she wanted to do."

I answered carefully, not wanting to come across as too presumptuous or forward.

"She showed them to me, and we've actually started implementing her ideas!"

"Oh, wow! That's great!"

"We're very open to new ideas. After all, growth is essential to ensuring the pack's success. If you have ideas that you think would help the pack grow, please let me know. I'll be here to really help you when you start taking on the Luna role. From what I've seen, though, you're already handling it beautifully. You have a gift for nurturing those who need help. And you're not at all afraid to stand up to Alpha Benedict!"

"Oh, was Alpha Benedict upset?" I asked softly.

"Oh no dear, he actually is impressed with your spunk and your ability to jump in if you think something is wrong." Ryder leaned back and just listened to the conversation.

"That's good to hear." Shifting a little, I tried to hide my discomfort. "Hopefully when things settle down, I will be able to really learn this territory."

"Ryder has expressed a concern that I wish to bring up." Luna Kestrel glanced at Ryder.

Immediately, I felt Ryder's annoyance. My heart sank from all the possibilities this could be.

"Okay. What concern would that be?" I asked quietly.

"Your desire to travel." She took a sip from her teacup as she said this. It had sat there unused for the last hour and now she decides to drink it. For some reason, it felt more like an attack than a simple cup of tea.

My mouth opened a few times but nothing came out. Looking over at Ryder, he was glaring at his mother.

"Yes, I would like to travel a little in the future." No point in lying.

"Is there anywhere in particular you wish to go?"

"Oh, um... n-no. Maybe to a beach but no. It was more of a desire to get away from Martha but since my shop has been destroyed, that money is being used for that. I'll have to save up in order to do any traveling, if I do any at all. Though, we still have those tickets to Italy." I was so confused. I had never hidden the fact I wanted to travel, but this seemed rather direct.

"Do you still plan on continuing your business once you officially take over the Luna role?"

I am the smartest person I know, and this was confusing the hell out of me. She was fishing, that much was clear, but her end goal, I wasn't sure.

Luna Kestrel wasn't giving me a negative vibe, but I wasn't getting a warm and fuzzy one either. "I'm sorry, Luna Kestrel. I'm confused with where you are going with this. I do not wish to be disrespectful, but could you please tell me where you are going with this? What do you really want to say to me?"