Don’t Poke the Luna Chapter 38

Xena’s POV

"Yeah. I just find it hard to open up," I finally said, breaking the silence between us. "I want to. I want you to hold me and kiss me and tell me everything will be okay. But what happens when Friday comes and you can't give me that anymore because you've found your mate? Where does that leave me?"

My voice trembled slightly despite my efforts to keep it steady. I'd never been this vulnerable with anyone before. It felt like I was cutting open my chest and showing him my heart, not knowing if he'd protect it or crush it in his hands.

Ryder sighed, turning to face forward, hands resting on his knees. "I'm sorry."

The rejection stung worse than I'd anticipated. I stood up, ready to leave, to run away from this suffocating feeling of worthlessness that threatened to consume me. But Ryder grabbed my hand before I could take a step.

"Fuck it," I heard him mutter under his breath. Then he yanked me back, his movement so sudden it caught me off guard. One arm circled my waist, pulling me toward him; his other hand wrapped around my neck, fingers tangling in my hair, gently tugging my head back. And then his lips crashed against mine in the most passionate kiss I'd ever experienced.

The moment his lips touched mine, I melted into him. My arms instinctively wrapped around his neck as I surrendered to his embrace. A soft moan escaped my throat, my eyelids fluttering at the intensity of sensations flooding through me.

This reaction was something I'd never felt with Samuel. It sparked hope within me – hope that Ryder could be my destined mate. Deep inside, a certainty I'd never known before began to grow. Maybe this was fate's guidance? Maybe he was the one?

Ryder bent down, his hands encircling my thighs. He lifted me up, pressing me against a nearby tree. The rough bark against my back was a stark contrast to the softness of his lips as they moved from my mouth to my neck.

"I—we—can't go further," I managed to say, though everything in my body screamed for more. I grabbed his head, pulling him back up to my lips for another scorching kiss. The scent of my arousal filled the air between us, enticing him. I could feel his hardness pressing against me, and it took every ounce of willpower not to grind against him.

Our kiss gradually slowed, and Ryder lowered me to my feet. He braced one hand against the tree above my head, supporting himself, while his other hand remained on my waist. His touch was like electricity, making every inch of my skin sing.

"I don't regret it. I've never felt this way before," Ryder whispered.

"Me neither. I really hope you turn out to be mine." The words rushed out of me with a sincerity that surprised even myself. Ryder didn't respond verbally, but he gave me several gentle kisses, each one like a silent promise that made my heart flutter.

"We should go," he finally said softly.

"Okay," I agreed, but neither of us moved. I was stalling, not wanting to break this perfect moment, afraid that once we left this place, the magic would disappear. I opened my eyes to find him staring intently at me.

"You're incredibly beautiful," he said, brushing a strand of hair from my face, looking utterly lost. There was a depth in his gaze I couldn't quite read, making me feel both exposed and treasured.

"What is it?" I asked.

"If you end up not being my mate, I'll be shocked, and I'll have to challenge whoever gets you." His words sent a thrill through me. I felt warmth spread through my chest at the thought that he would fight for me.

A sound in the distance caught our attention, forcing us to start moving. We crept down the hill, following the stream. There was a second waterfall, and at the bottom was a group of about fifteen Rogues. They were just swimming, eating, basically relaxing. My heartbeat accelerated, the scent of danger making my wolf instincts alert.

"We need to go," Ryder whispered in my ear, his warm breath sending shivers down my spine.

Nodding, we turned and started running back to our motorcycles. It was an unexpected complication. Being only a mile from the clearing, we reached our bikes quickly.

"Get on, let's go!" Ryder urged.

"Grab your samples first, quick!" The Rogues hadn't spotted us yet, though Ryder looked nervous. He grabbed his equipment and ran about 75 yards into the field, beginning to twist a rod-like object into the ground. I started putting on my gloves and jacket. Just as Ryder finished, I began hearing rustling leaves. Ryder must have heard it too, because he sprinted toward me.

I gestured for him to hurry up, putting on my helmet, anxiously waiting. The Rogues still didn't seem to know we were here, but I didn't want to stick around to find out.

Fortunately, Ryder reached his motorcycle just as the first Rogue emerged from the trees. He stuffed the soil sample into his saddlebag and swung his leg over his bike. With no time to put on his jacket and gloves, just his helmet, we started our motorcycles right as they spotted us.

The wind whipped at my face as our motorcycles roared down the hillside, tires kicking up dirt and gravel in our wake. The howls of the Rogues echoed behind us, getting closer with each passing second. My heart hammered against my ribcage, adrenaline pumping through my veins.

"They're gaining on us!" I shouted over the roar of our engines, glancing briefly at Ryder who rode beside me.

"Just keep going!" he yelled back, his green eyes flashing with intensity behind his visor. "We're almost to the road!"

I pushed my bike harder, feeling it struggle beneath me as we descended the steep slope. Suddenly, my front tire caught on a jutting rock, sending my motorcycle into a violent wobble. For a terrifying moment, I felt myself losing control, the bike tilting dangerously to one side.

"Xena!" Ryder's voice cut through my panic.

Without slowing down, he maneuvered his Harley closer to mine, reaching out with one strong arm. His fingers wrapped around my handlebar, steadying my bike just as we hit the steepest part of the descent.

"I've got you!" he shouted, his face tense with concentration.

"Let go!" I yelled back. "You'll crash too!"

"Just hold on and straighten out!"

I gripped my handlebars tighter, forcing my body to relax enough to regain control. With Ryder's momentary support, I managed to right myself just as our tires hit the asphalt of the main road.

"Go, go, go!" I screamed, opening the throttle fully as we both accelerated onto the smooth surface.

We sped down the highway, the distance between us and the Rogues growing with each passing minute. Eventually, we slowed down when we were sure we weren't being followed anymore. Pulling over to the side of the road, we both removed our helmets, breathing heavily.

"Oh my god. Are you okay?" I asked breathlessly.

"Yeah, you?" Ryder replied, his hair disheveled from the helmet, somehow making him look even more attractive.

"I'm fine. Wow, that was..." My heart was still pounding in my ears, but beyond the fear, I felt a strange exhilaration. Facing danger with Ryder had intensified the connection between us.