Don’t Poke the Luna Chapter 174

Xena’s POV

"Sore and stiff, but not too bad," I answered softly, trying to ignore the stinging sensations radiating throughout my body.

"Good. Lie down and I'll have some breakfast sent up for us." Ryder adjusted the pillows behind me. He placed two behind my back so I could recline comfortably, then positioned one under each arm to keep them at a comfortable angle. Once I was settled, he stood up.

"You're not leaving, are you?" I asked quietly, the vulnerability in my voice unfamiliar even to my own ears. Usually, I never depended on anyone like this, and I hated the feeling. An unnamed fear crawled up my spine, as if the moment he left my sight, those terrible memories would come flooding back.

Ryder's body instantly stiffened. He turned to look at me, his eyes filling with something that looked like heartache. "I won't be leaving you for a very long time." He headed toward the bathroom.

Trying to relax became harder. Not because of the pain, but because I didn't want to be alone. Despite my efforts to calm my anxiety, every second Ryder was out of my sight made me increasingly uneasy.

"What's wrong?" Ryder asked, emerging from the bathroom. He wore only shorts, making the bruises on his body clearly visible. Some had yellowed, but others were fresh, showing black and blue.

"Why do you have bruises like that? Some look old, but some are new?" I couldn't tear my eyes away from the marks on his skin.

"I needed to work out some frustration last night. Logan and I sparred. He's probably the only one who could handle me in that state." Ryder said it like it was nothing. He lay down on the bed but didn't touch me.

"Will you hold me?" I requested. The old me would never have shown such weakness, but right now I needed his warmth, needed to feel safe.

Ryder grabbed the remote and turned on the TV, then rolled over. He shifted closer, his arm resting above my head so his hand could play with my hair. He seemed to be getting as close as possible without actually touching me. With both my arms injured, he couldn't lie on my other side either. I breathed in his scent, so close yet maintaining distance, the thoughtfulness making my heart flutter slightly.

He flipped through channels before settling on America's Got Talent. About twenty minutes later, I couldn't hold it anymore. Using the bathroom would be difficult, but I couldn't delay any longer.

Using my sore muscles, I sat up as quickly as I could. "Oh, that hurts," I groaned. Straightening my elbows wasn't painful, but I took a moment to let my shoulders relax, keeping them at an angle.

As I stood, a knock came at the door.

"That's probably the food," Ryder said, heading toward the door while I made my way to the bathroom. He waited until I was fully inside before opening the door. Always so considerate, even in small things.

Since I was wearing only underwear, pulling them down to pee was slightly easier. The trickier part was...

"Are you okay?" Ryder asked through our mind link. I must have taken longer than expected.

"Yeah, just not the easiest thing to do right now." I answered while looking at myself in the mirror, trying to move my shoulders. Maybe some exercise would loosen them up. After about five minutes, all I'd managed to do was cause myself more pain. I gritted my teeth, hating my weakness in this moment.

"What are you doing?" Ryder opened the door to find me rotating my shoulders.

"Trying to ease the soreness, but it's not helping," I admitted, the frustration evident in my voice.

"Here, let me help you." Ryder stood behind me. Taking hold of my arms, I let them relax as his fingers pressed into my muscles, the sensation both painful and relieving. I surrendered to his touch as he loosened my arms in ways I couldn't manage myself.

"That helps," I said when Ryder set my arms down.

"Good. After we eat, I'll ice them. Do you want to try a bath?" he asked, concern filling his eyes.

"After we eat," I said, feeling unsteady on my feet and needing to sit down.

"Alright." Ryder guided me to the sofa. He had prepared a picnic-style meal on the coffee table. There were various fruits and vegetables, along with cold cut sandwiches. "Turkey or roast beef?"

"Turkey, thanks." Ryder grabbed the plate with turkey and added some fruit while I settled comfortably on the sofa. His body suddenly tensed before continuing to put things on the plate as if nothing had happened.

I noticed his reaction, feeling a twinge of unease. Whenever he hesitated like that, it usually meant bad news was coming. I took a deep breath, bracing myself.

"What is it?" I asked, my voice calmer than I expected.

He handed me the plate, frowning as he said, "Ama wants to see you. Actually, everyone does." Ryder sighed, picking up the roast beef and filling his plate with fruit.

"What did you tell them?"

"Logan's coming up now, but the others will have to wait until after you've had a bath and rested." Just as he finished speaking, a knock sounded at the door.

Thankfully, Ryder got up to answer it. Logan and Ryder shook hands before Logan walked in and came over to me.

"How are you feeling, sis?" Logan sat beside me, keeping just the right distance—close enough without touching me. After everything that had happened, I'd become especially sensitive to touch, and he seemed to instinctively understand this.

"Sore. I think eating something and taking a bath will help."

Logan reached out and gently pulled down the corner of my shirt to check the bruising.

"Impressive," he said, his tone filled with concern and a hint of anger that I knew wasn't directed at me.

"It'll still look like this for the dance tomorrow," I said, suddenly remembering that my dress for the dance would need reconsideration.

Ryder and Logan exchanged a look. That kind of silent communication immediately put me on alert.

"What?" I asked, my heart rate picking up. Those looks never preceded good news.

"About the dance... we were thinking maybe we should just skip it," Logan said as I took a bite of food.

"Skip the dance?" I asked with food in my mouth, looking at them. The news hit like a stone dropping into still water, creating ripples through my heart. I forced myself to remain calm, not showing too much disappointment.

"We're also launching our attack tonight. Ryder will stay here with you, but the rest of us will be going. Things are too tense right now for public events like dances." Logan laid it all out for me, looking me straight in the eyes.

My heart broke a little, not for the dance itself, but for all the preparation work. Penelope and I had spent hours organizing and planning this event. Seeing the final result and everyone having fun was the most rewarding part. But I understood safety had to come first, no matter how disappointed I felt inside.

"Fine," I said, suppressing my emotions. Pretending everything was okay, despite the small storm raging within me.

"We could have a small dance here?" Logan suggested, seemingly trying to make up for my loss.

His suggestion made me seem petty, so I ignored it and tried to change the subject. "Are we still having lunch on Sunday?"

Logan frowned but didn't pursue the previous topic.

"Yes, we are."

"What about our tests?"

"Moved to Monday," Ryder answered for Logan.

"I'm sorry. I know this isn't what you wanted," Logan said, looking at me and placing his hand on my leg.

"Nobody wants this. Think about it—I used to only worry about being stuck with Martha," I shook my head with a bitter smile. "I wish that was still my problem."

Neither man said anything, just sat there watching me go through various emotions. I ate mechanically, my thoughts already far away.

The Rogues wanted to kidnap me and give me to Tatum. I could hardly believe he wanted me just to fuck me. There had to be another reason.

My experience in that building was truly my greatest fear realized. It was a strange feeling. Since my fear had already become reality, I wasn't as afraid as before, but there was still a part of me that panicked just thinking about it.

Alpha Benedict and Luna Kestrel wouldn't give Ryder the Alpha title until this was all over. They just wanted me to travel, to leave the center of trouble, basically handing everything over to them to handle. So far, we'd done exactly as they asked, and it hadn't worked. Neither strategy was succeeding; something needed to change.

"Would you care to share what you're thinking?" Logan asked, breaking the silence.

"Things need to change," I said simply, not looking at either of them.

"What do you mean?" Ryder asked, his eyes flashing with concern and curiosity.

"I mean, I'm going to take a bath, and then we're having a full meeting with Alpha Benedict, Dad, and everyone. I'm tired of standing on the sidelines. If my life is going to be in danger, I'm not giving the power to decide my actions to someone else. We're launching an attack tonight, which will declare war on them. They've had too many victories. I won't be someone who's seen as lying down and taking it. No, this all ends now. With me."