Don’t Poke the Luna Chapter 203

Xena’s POV

Even though I didn't want him to do this, I was beginning to think it might be the only way to get him to relinquish control. He was a man spiraling out of control, and that was dangerous. "I understand."

We sat there for a while longer until the sun hung high in the sky. "I should go check on my men," Ryder sighed.

"I'll go prepare lunch for everyone. I'll mind-link you when it's ready."

Ryder stood up and extended his hand for me to take. I accepted it, and he pulled me close for a kiss. "That would be a nice gesture."

"I can't promise anything fancy since I haven't spent time in that kitchen yet, but I'll do my best," I promised as we stepped into the sunlight.

"Nothing special needed. Just enough to keep us going." Ryder released my hand as we had to walk in opposite directions.

"Take care," I called out to him.

"You too."

When I walked into the pack house, I really hadn't expected Alpha Benedict to still be inside. I hadn't even seen Luna Kestrel today, which was somewhat unusual. Still, not wanting to encounter him, I walked directly to the kitchen without greeting him and closed the door.

Opening the refrigerator, I began examining the different options available for preparation. It must have been recently stocked because it was filled with various ingredients. Finally, I decided on steak. I could slice them, and people could decide whether to put them on salads, eat the steak alone, or make burgers.

I pulled out all the steaks. My first step was to take out the cast iron pan and season it with oil and salt. While it heated, I removed the steaks from their packaging and patted them dry. After seasoning both sides, I added some butter to the pan and placed one steak in.

Opening the oven, I set it to warm, then gathered ingredients for coleslaw. That was simple enough.

Taking a large bowl, I emptied the package, added the dressing, then returned it to the refrigerator. Back at the steaks, using tongs, I moved the steak to sear all sides, then flipped it. I was aiming for medium-rare.

Once the steak was finished, I wrapped it in foil and placed it in the oven. I continued repeating this process, setting out different options on the table for them to choose from. As I was nearly finished, the door opened.

"That smells wonderful."

My heart sank as I turned around. "Alpha Benedict..."

My hands unconsciously tightened around the tongs I was holding, knuckles white from the force. I could feel my wolf growling within, warning me to be careful. This man had once treated me like a daughter, but now... now I wasn't sure what he was anymore.

"Relax, I'm not here to cause trouble." Alpha Benedict waved dismissively, gesturing for me not to be tense.

"Ryder... dinner's ready, and your father just walked into the kitchen," I said through the mind link, struggling to keep my voice steady.

"On my way," Ryder responded, and I could feel his unease.

"Dinner will be ready in just a minute. If you want to sit down first, I'll bring the steaks out in a moment." I turned to grab oven mitts and removed the steaks from the oven. However, instead of walking toward the dining table, he stood by the door watching me slice each steak. I left them on the cutting board, then moved everything to the table.

My hands trembled slightly as I sliced the steaks, feeling Alpha Benedict's gaze following my every movement like a shadow. This sensation of being watched triggered my instincts, muscles tensing, ready to respond to any threat.

Before I knew it, I was nearly finished with all the work. "Xena?" I heard Ryder calling.

"In here!" I answered, completely relieved to hear his voice.

Ryder walked through the door and froze when he saw his father. "What are you doing here?"

"Didn't she tell you I was here?" Alpha Benedict looked at Ryder with disbelief.

"Why are you standing in the corner watching her work?" Ryder turned to face his father.

I could feel the angry aura radiating from Ryder.

"I wasn't causing any trouble. I just wanted to make sure she was safe," Alpha Benedict said calmly, unfazed by Ryder's anger.

"After everything she's been through, you think sitting in the corner watching her work would make her feel comfortable?" Ryder glared angrily at his father, his voice rising with indignation. William and several other warriors walked through the door. They all looked between Ryder and Alpha Benedict, then decided to stand with Ryder.

Seeing the warriors choose sides, my heart rate accelerated. I glanced at Alpha Benedict, whose previously calm face suddenly darkened, clearly displeased with the warriors' choice.

"Let's all go eat in the kitchen," I said, trying to break the tension.

"Good idea. Is there anything I can help with?" William immediately agreed, walking to the stove and looking at me awkwardly, seemingly wanting me to assign him something immediately. Ryder and Alpha Benedict didn't break their stare.

"No need, everything's on the table." I grabbed Ryder's arm and pulled him away from his father.

Everyone sat down, but Ryder took the Alpha's seat, leaving no place for Alpha Benedict. I watched this scene with mixed emotions. Ryder was asserting dominance, establishing his position in front of everyone.

Alpha Benedict stood frozen for a moment. He seemed unprepared for Ryder to be so direct. His face expressionless, he slammed the table hard, causing the silverware at the edge to clatter to the floor with a crisp sound, then stormed out.

Ryder walked over, picked up the fallen silverware, placed it on the table, then returned to the Alpha's seat. "Let's begin," he said, his gaze sweeping over everyone.

"Alright, I've prepared steaks. You can eat them alone, make salads, or steak sandwiches. However you want to eat them is fine. Please, go ahead." I smiled as I spoke.

No one said anything as we all picked up our plates and began preparing food. I had already made myself a steak salad, so I just picked up my fork and started eating.

After a moment of silence, "This is really delicious," William said with his mouth full.

"Swallow before you speak," I gave him a disapproving look.

"Luna..." A young warrior looked quite uncomfortable. He kept looking at me, then back at his food. He appeared to be around my age but was quite thin.

"What is it?"

"You... um..."

"Just say it, man," another warrior rolled his eyes.

"Are you okay?"

The question hung in the air like a physical weight. I set down my fork and looked around the table at all the concerned faces staring back at me.

"I'm..." I started, then paused. "I'm getting better every day."

The young warrior nodded, seemingly satisfied with my answer, but I could see in his eyes that he wanted to say more.

"Thank you for asking," I added softly. "It means more than you know that you all care."

William cleared his throat. "We're a pack. We look out for each other."

"Exactly," another warrior chimed in. "You're our Luna. Your wellbeing matters to all of us."

I felt tears prick at the corners of my eyes, but I blinked them away. These men were choosing to follow Ryder, choosing to support us even when it meant going against Alpha Benedict. Their loyalty wasn't just to the title—it was personal.

"I know things have been tense lately," I said, my voice stronger now. "With everything that's happened, and with the... disagreement between Ryder and his father. I want you all to know that I appreciate your support more than I can express."

"We've made our choice," the young warrior said firmly. "We stand with you and Ryder."

The others nodded in agreement, and I felt a warmth spread through my chest. "Well then," I said, raising my water glass, "to standing together."

They all raised their glasses, and William grinned. "To our Luna and future Alpha."

"To family," Ryder's voice came from behind me as he walked back into the kitchen. I hadn't even noticed he'd left, but now he was back, and the tension in his shoulders had eased slightly.