Don’t Poke the Luna Chapter 269

Xena’s POV

Knock! Knock! Knock!

"Ama?" I asked in surprise when I opened the door to find her standing there.

"You look fucking amazing!" she said, looking me up and down.

Hearing those words from Ama, I knew my choice was right. Her eye for fashion was always spot-on.

"What do you think?" I asked, giving her a little spin.

"Absolutely! Ryder sent me to come check on you." Ama's smile was so wide it looked like it might split her face.

"Why?" I asked.

"You really did pick the perfect dress," Ama said, grabbing my arm and pulling me toward the hallway.

"Why?" I was even more confused now. Her expression was too excited.

"Just smile and keep walking," Ama said, pulling me toward the back door. The moment she opened it, I realized this wasn't just an ordinary barbecue gathering.

Somehow, Ryder had changed into khakis and a white polo shirt. He stood at the end of a flower path that ran through the crowd of people.

Oh my God. What surprise was he pulling now? My heart started racing, but this time it was the good kind of nervous.

Ama gave me a gentle push and then walked out, closing the door behind her. My feet moved involuntarily, carrying me down the flower path toward Ryder. He took my hands and gazed into my soul.

In front of all these people, in this moment, I felt more loved and cherished than I ever had before. The feeling filled my heart with warmth.

"We're going to have your Luna ceremony. All the food and decorations you chose are ready. But after everything we've been through, I want to give you something," Ryder said, pulling a ring from his pocket. I immediately recognized it as the ring his mother had worn.

"This ring has been passed down through generations... from my great-great-grandmother to my mother. Every Luna has worn this ring. My mother was going to give it to you at your Luna ceremony, but I want it to be worn by a Luna. This ring symbolizes our unity and commitment. Not just as mates, but as our commitment to lead this pack together. There's no hierarchy between us... you've proven to everyone here how much you care for them, countless times putting your own life at risk to save others. Please accept this ring, and let's walk into the next chapter of our lives together."

I couldn't speak. All the emotions rushed through me—love, gratitude, a sense of purpose, and a deep feeling of belonging. This wasn't just a ring; it was a legacy, an eternal promise.

I could only nod, tears welling in my eyes, as he slipped the ring onto my finger.

"Are you ready?" Ryder asked as we boarded the plane. It had been exactly one week since we discovered the pregnancy. Since then, I'd seen the doctor and confirmed it. So far, it was a healthy pregnancy with no symptoms. Since it was still early, only four weeks, we hadn't told anyone else yet. Obviously, Ama immediately told William, but that was it.

Currently, I was sitting in a seat on the private jet. I'd been admiring the ring he gave me. It was platinum with a one-carat black round-cut diamond. The band had a twisted pattern. Ryder's great-great-grandfather had mined this stone and designed the entire ring. Due to years of wear, the metal had to be replaced, but they kept the design and the gemstone.

My fingers traced the surface of the ring, feeling those delicate patterns. Thinking about how this stone had witnessed generations of love, a warm current surged through my heart.

"Earth to Xena!" Ryder waved his hand between my eyes and the ring.

"What?" I looked up, somewhat startled.

I was pulled back to reality by his sudden movement, a flash of embarrassment crossing my face. It seemed I'd been spacing out again, something that had been happening frequently lately. Maybe it was because of the pregnancy, or maybe the nervousness about uncovering my mother's secrets was making it hard for me to concentrate.

"Ready to take off?" Ryder asked as he sat down. His breathing was slightly rapid.

"Yeah, did you get all the luggage?" I asked. He'd refused to let me help, so I came to sit on the plane.

I noticed his slightly flushed cheeks and rapid breathing. He must have rushed while moving the luggage, always refusing to let me do any heavy lifting.

"Yes, we can take off," Ryder said, looking back at the pilot and nodding. A flight attendant closed the door and walked to his seat. My gaze fell on the window, watching everything rush past until we were soaring through the sky.

"Would you like anything to drink, Luna?" the flight attendant asked after the plane was flying smoothly above the clouds.

"No, thank you," I gave him a smile, then turned back to look out the window.

"Alpha? Would you like whiskey or water?"

"I'm fine, thank you," Ryder replied. I'd joked about it before, but since we discovered the pregnancy, Ryder hadn't touched a drop of alcohol. "How are you feeling?"

"Mmm, a little tired." That really was my only pregnancy symptom. Though I didn't really call it a symptom. We'd been so busy last week that I'd been exhausted. Ryder tried to get me to bed by eight every night, but without success.

His thoughtfulness both touched me and made me somewhat impatient. But seeing the concern in his eyes, I couldn't bring myself to refuse. This conflicted emotion made me even more tired.

So far, we'd started new housing development projects for the new members. People were requesting to join different clubs, and more women were asking to work at the pack house. This was what they'd done at Darkthorn Pack, and they felt comfortable with it. So we had to create different job positions for people and adjust things. The kitchen staff were happy to get more help and welcomed them. The new members even showed our staff some new recipes they wanted to try.

Logan and Penelope had already moved the crib and everything else over. It was hidden in our room. It was known that I'd gotten it from my mother, so no one questioned it.

"Come here," Ryder moved next to me, letting me rest my head on his chest. Closing my eyes, I listened to the sound of the plane, swaying into sleep.

His embrace was warm and safe, allowing my tense nerves to relax slightly. But even in this half-awake, half-asleep state, that feeling of unease still lingered, like a thorn deeply embedded in my heart.

"Xena, we're here," Ryder gently shook me awake.

"What?" When I tried to open my eyes, it was really bright. After a few attempts, I was able to look down and see the ocean below. The plane was just beginning its descent, so I could still see the world below.

When we landed, my nerves became tense. Not because of the flight, but because of what might be in the storage unit. Ryder helped me stand up, and the flight attendant opened the stairs. People were already unloading our luggage and putting it in the car. My palms started sweating, and my heart rate accelerated. This nervousness was different from anything I'd experienced before.

"The keys are in the ignition, sir." Everyone here was human, but Ryder had definitely paid for private jet and car service.

"Thank you," Ryder said, opening the door for me. After I got in the car, Ryder walked to the driver's seat, and the trunk closed.

"Where are we going?" I asked, not sure if we were going to the hotel first or to the storage unit.

"Where do you want to go?"

"To the storage unit," I said, looking at him. "I need to know what's inside."