Don’t Poke the Luna Chapter 268

Xena’s POV

"Ryder wants to give you something back. He and I contacted all your former clients we could think of and asked them to let us photograph their work," Penelope explained.

"I know what this shop meant to you, how heartbroken you were when you saw your portfolio destroyed. I wanted to give this back to you." Ryder walked over to me and took my hand.

My throat tightened. This man... how did he always know exactly what I needed most? Even when I didn't know it myself. "Thank you!" I shouted, throwing my arms around his neck. He caught me, holding me tight, letting me calm down.

In his arms, all the negative emotions melted away. Only gratitude and love remained.

"You know, we really should tell them you're pregnant. Otherwise, they'll question why you're not drinking at tonight's barbecue," Ryder said through our mind link.

"You want to tell them that badly?" I laughed as he released me. I went to hug Penelope.

"Thank you, Penelope," I said to her.

"It's just a small repayment for everything you've done for me." Penelope had tears in her eyes.

"I do," Ryder said through our mind link.

"Okay, but you tell them." I walked over and grabbed his forearm. Not his hand, just his arm. I wasn't sure why I suddenly felt so scared or nervous. But I was, and I couldn't say the words.

"Thank you all for everything you've done for us... for her. Through everything that's happened, having all of you by our side has really been the only thing that's kept us going. Kept me sane, kept Xena safe." Even Ryder was getting a bit nervous. We were all standing in a circle. "I wish William could be here, but Xena and I do have some news to share."

"Are you finally going to Italy?" Ama's eyes went wide.

"No," I laughed.

Looking at their expectant faces, I felt a mischievous urge. Let them guess—the answer would shock everyone anyway.

"Going to Florida?" Logan asked.

"Yes, we're going next week, but that's not what he wants to say," I said, looking at Logan.

"Then where are you traveling? Travel has always been your dream," Leonard asked. Everyone nodded, looking at us.

"Other than Florida, we don't have any other plans for now. We need to wait until next year," Ryder looked down at me, smiling.

I could feel Ryder's excitement—he was trying to stay calm, but I knew how thrilled he was inside.

"Next year? Why?" Ama looked confused.

"Because... Xena's pregnant," Ryder said like a proud father-to-be.

The moment the words left his mouth, I knew it would cause an uproar. I held my breath, waiting for their reactions.

"What?" Ama screamed. "I'm not going to cry... I'm not going to cry."

"Really?" Logan basically pushed Penelope aside and picked me up. He spun me around a few times before putting me down. "You're pregnant? I'm going to be an uncle?"

"Yes," I said, and he hugged me again.

Logan's reaction was even more intense than I'd imagined. Seeing him so excited warmed my heart. This was what family felt like.

"If you weren't her brother, I'd cut your balls off," Penelope glared at Logan. "Move." She pushed him aside and smiled at me. "I'm excited for you both."

"You're going to be Aunt Penelope," I said, hugging her. Logan gave Ryder a real hug, then stepped back and shook his hand. Leonard just shook hands.

"How far along are you?" Ama asked. She had lost the battle against tears.

"Not far. Actually, it's still two days before I missed my period. I just had a feeling I shouldn't drink, so I took a test." Ryder pulled out the pregnancy test to show them.

"So, no symptoms?" Ama looked at the test and asked.

"Not yet."

I was mentally preparing myself, not knowing what I might face next. Morning sickness? Fatigue? Mood swings? Just thinking about it made me a little nervous.

"That's so unfair, but I'm happy for you both," Ama finally hugged me, and Ryder put the test away.

"Congratulations!" Viola walked over to me and gave me a hug. She was really starting to open up and show her personality. Logan was trying to apologize to Penelope, but she was blocking his attempts to kiss her.

Viola's change made me feel relieved. Seeing her gradually integrate into our big family made me feel satisfied.

"Will you want to know the gender?" Ama asked.

"Honestly, I haven't thought about it, and I haven't thought about names either, in case you ask," I shrugged, looking at Ryder. He was beaming at me.

"Do you want your crib now?" Penelope asked.

"Yes, I do. Though I'm not sure where to put it, but I definitely want it," I said.

"Knowing the gender, you can prepare more," Ama gave me a look.

"William wanting to keep it a surprise doesn't mean you can't prepare," I laughed, sliding into Ryder's arms.

"I don't even know whether to buy dresses or shorts!" Ama threw up her hands.

"Girls can wear shorts too!" I argued.

"Just because you can't dress properly every day doesn't mean other girls don't like to dress up! If this is a girl, William wants..."

"It'll be interesting watching you all navigate this world," I laughed.

"Just you wait!" Ama glared at me.

"I don't have to wait. I can observe all your mistakes and then avoid making the same ones," I knew I was being provocative, but it was fun.

"Alright! Let's go back to the barbecue!" Logan laughed, pulling Penelope under one arm and Ama under the other.

"Are you coming to the barbecue too?" I asked.

"Actually, most of my pack members will be coming. Ama called this morning and invited us. Give everyone a real chance to mingle."

"If I can't drink, you can't drink either," I whispered in Ryder's ear, then gave him a look and walked away. He just raised an eyebrow and followed me. I grabbed the keys from the counter, locked the door, and walked toward our motorcycles.

I knew this request wasn't fair, but pregnancy made me feel vulnerable, and I hoped he would accompany me through all of this.

"Is that so?" Ryder whispered in my ear as he passed me walking toward his bike.

"It's only fair..." I laughed. "I'm kidding. You can do whatever you want. I won't ask you to do that." I rolled my eyes and put on my helmet.

He didn't respond, just put on his helmet. Before he started his motorcycle, I had already started mine and driven off. The race was on. I didn't speed or drive recklessly, but this might be my last time riding a motorcycle before having the baby, so I wanted to enjoy it.

The wind rushing past my body, this feeling of freedom made me both excited and nostalgic. Soon, I would have to say goodbye to these days of riding freely. But thinking about the new life that was coming, my heart wasn't filled with loss, but with anticipation.

When we got back to the pack house, it was already crowded with people. There were some people I hadn't seen in years, though I might have seen them at the funeral, but this was the first time I could really talk to them.

"I need to go change clothes first," I said to Ryder as I got off the motorcycle.

"Change clothes?" Ryder looked confused. "Why?"

"I have that smell on me, and there's a little stain here." I pointed to a dried liquid mark on the inside of my dress.

"So what?" Ryder countered.

He obviously didn't care—men never understood these details. But I cared, and I had to present myself as a Luna should.

"I'm going to change clothes and I'll be right down!" I pulled down his shirt and gave him a kiss, then ran toward our room.

I remembered that little dress hanging deep in the closet, the one Ama had given me. I had always been too conservative and never dared to wear it.

However, now that I felt comfortable with my body, I finally wanted to put it on. Taking off the sunflower dress was easy. After removing my underwear, I only put on white lace panties.

This dress had thin straps and a very tight top. So tight that I didn't need to wear a bra to get perfect support. The white lace top extended to the waist, paired with a gold metal belt. The bottom was a white skirt dotted with pink and rose-colored flowers. The skirt had some flow to it, but even with wind, it wouldn't expose anything. The skirt length reached mid-thigh, somewhat daring.

Paired with gold strappy sandals and my hair fixed up, I was ready.