Don’t Poke the Luna Chapter 146

Xena’s POV

"There, I did it." I pushed away the will, feeling a strange sense of unease wash over me, like I'd been forced to touch a secret that shouldn't belong to me. "I need to go, but Samuel's father wants you to call him."

Logan stood up, gathering his things, exhaustion evident in every movement.

"Do you think that's a good idea?" Ryder asked Logan, tension lacing his voice.

"I think he's ready to apologize and forgive. He needs this final goodbye. The tree's been planted, and I had a plaque made saying it was from you. So if he thanks you, that's what happened."

I studied my twin brother's face—the dark circles under his eyes, the tight line of his mouth. "Are you okay? You're under so much pressure right now."

"I'm fine. I just need to get through this week. With any luck, Dad will hang on a bit longer."

I stood and gave Logan a long hug. The way he held me made me feel like he thought this might be the last time he'd see me.

"Stay safe. I can't worry about you right now," he said, his eyes vacant in a way I'd never seen before.

Ryder stood up. "I will," I promised Logan solemnly.

Logan nodded and left. As soon as the door closed behind him, rage erupted through me.

"This is all such a FUCKING mess!" I whirled around and slammed my fist into the wall. The pain shooting through my knuckles was hot and sharp, but nothing compared to the helpless fury burning inside me.

Ryder gently took my injured hand in his. "Easy. We'll figure this out."

I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself. "I still don't know how to face Samuel's father. Even if he says he's forgiven me, I still remember what he said at the funeral. I still think I'm the fucking reason his son is dead."

Ryder pulled me into his arms, his embrace warm and secure. "Listen," he said softly, "Samuel loved you and he loved his father. You were both the most important people to him. Only reconciliation will bring real redemption—for you, for his father, even for Samuel."

"What if he changes his mind? What if he blames me again?" My voice trembled.

"Then let him say his piece. Accept whatever emotion he brings. It's part of his process after losing his son." Ryder stroked my hair. "But I believe Logan is right—he's truly ready to forgive."

I took a deep breath and nodded, straightening up from Ryder's embrace. "Okay, I'll call him now."

We sat together on the sofa, the cushions dipping slightly beneath our weight. I pulled out my phone, my finger hovering over the screen hesitantly. Ryder seemed to sense my reluctance; he gave me an encouraging smile before walking out the door.

I scrolled through my contacts and found Samuel's home number. My finger trembled slightly as I hit the call button and held the phone to my ear. The phone rang twice before someone answered, each ring seeming to stretch my nerves tighter.

"Hello?" The voice on the other end made my chest tighten.

"H-hello. This is..." My heart hammered against my ribcage.

"Xena. Thank you for calling." His voice was unexpectedly calm, catching me off guard.

"Of course. What can I do for you?" I knew my voice was shaking.

"I wanted to apologize. I appreciate you allowing me to say what I needed to say. Even so, I'm sorry for my behavior. I know you loved Samuel. I wish it had been in a different way, but the Moon God knows what's best. You're a good person who deserves happiness. I hope you've found it." His words were like warm water, slowly melting a block of ice inside my chest.

"I have." Quiet tears slid down my cheeks as guilt and relief tangled together in a knot too complex for words.

"Good. I also appreciate the plaque. You'll always be like a daughter to me." His words made me choke up, that warmth and acceptance something I'd longed for but never dared hope to receive.

"Thank...you..." I managed through my tears.

"Have a good day." He hung up.

I sat there, feeling as though my soul had been gently cleansed. My head fell heavily as my fingers clutched the phone, tears beginning to spill without warning. I'd completely forgotten Ryder waiting outside as a soft whimper escaped my lips, growing steadily into deep, wrenching sobs that tore through my chest. The buried pain, regret, and finally relief crashed over me in waves, my entire body shaking as I collapsed into myself, surrendering completely to the overwhelming flood of emotions I'd been desperately holding back for so long.

I'd thought Ryder would rush in at the sound of my crying, which wasn't what I wanted. Thank God he stayed outside for more than ten minutes, knocking and entering only after I'd regained some composure.

He gave me a genuine smile, then fetched a towel from the bathroom and handed it to me.

"Thanks," I said, taking it from him. He poured two glasses of water and placed them on the coffee table in front of the sofa. He sat beside me, and I rested my head on his shoulder.

My eyes fell on the will. "I still can't believe it," I said, shock and disbelief still hanging over me.

"Me either. Your father really took care of you. Made sure you were provided for," Ryder's voice held admiration.

"I just can't believe it. I can't. I never saw a penny of this money. Everything at the shop, I had to pay back. Dad helped me get started, and I didn't make a dime until I'd paid him back every cent." Memories flooded back—those difficult startup days, countless nights of overtime.

"You learned the value of money. Most Alpha females are entitled, thinking money grows on trees." His words made me smile slightly.

"True enough."

"Will this change your plans about traveling?" he asked.

"I'd like to see what Florida has to offer."

"We can start there," he agreed.

"I also want to visit my mother's family home."

"We can go after we sort all this out. We can't mess anything up," he said firmly.

"Fine. Though I don't know how to keep this from Ama."

"I'm sure you'll be busy enough with the shop that you won't notice much. Before you know it, Saturday will be here."

"Yeah..." I had zero motivation to do any work today, my thoughts too tangled to make sense of.

"Want to watch movies this afternoon?" Ryder suddenly suggested, surprising me.

"Really? You don't have work to do?" I looked up at him.

"Nothing that can't wait until tomorrow." Ryder stood and extended his hand to me. "Come on. Let's just relax and watch some films. I have popcorn..."

"What did I do to deserve such a good mate?" It was a rhetorical question, but Ryder answered anyway.

"I am pretty great, aren't I? I guess the Moon God loves you." His playfulness tugged at the corner of my lips.

"Whatever..." I gave him a "really?" look. "What movie are you going to pick?" I asked as we started up the stairs, the cloud hanging over me temporarily lifting, replaced by simple anticipation—just spending a quiet afternoon with the person I loved, temporarily forgetting the storm raging in the world outside.