Xena’s POV
“Logan?” Penelope’s voice floated through the open doorway, Logan cooped up the photo album filled with memories and stepped outside to meet her.
I lingered behind, watching their interaction from my bedroom. Penelope’s forehead was creased with concern as she asked, “What’s wrong? You look worried.”
“Just thinking about tonight’s party,” Logan replied, his voice carrying a casual tone that didn’t quite mask his anxiety.
“Everything’s coming along perfectly!” Penelope’s face lit up with enthusiasm.
“I have no doubt. You’re always excellent at whatever you do.” The warmth in Logan’s voice as he spoke to her made my heart swell. I left them to their conversation, returning to gather the remaining items I wanted to take with me.
Logan had placed a cardboard box in front of my bookshelf earlier. I methodically transferred my books into it until it was stuffed to capacity, feeling the weight of each memory as I packed away pieces of my life.
Without a word, Ryder moved the box to the doorway, his movements fluid and natural. “Anything else you want to bring?” he asked, those intense green eyes scanning the room.
think that’s it,” I said, surveying what remained. There wasn’t much left. I’d always known I would leave someday, so I’d never accumulated many possessions.
The realization left a bitter taste in my mouth. Over eighteeen years of life, and everything I truly valued could be carried away in a few trips. What did that say about my existence here?
Ryder gently cupped my face between his hands. “Are you okay?” His ability to sense my emotions was uncanny, but he respected my boundaries, never pushing too deep without permission.
“Yeah, I’m fine. It’s just… I suddenly realized I never really put down roots here. I always knew this was temporary, and everything
own can be carried in one arm.”
“We’ll build our life together,” Ryder said softly, placing a gentle kiss on my lips.
That kiss spread warmth through my body, kindling hope for our future. Maybe, just maybe, home wasn’t a place but a person–and with Ryder, I might finally find where I belonged.
“You two are so sweet.” I turned to see Logan with his arm around Penelope, both of them watching our moment with knowing
smiles.
“Anyway,” I said as Ryder dropped his hands. “We should go. Did you answer her questions?”
“Yes,” Ryder replied, moving toward the box of books.
“See you tonight, X,” Logan said, pulling me into a quick hug before opening the door. Ryder picked up the box but insisted I walk ahead of him. Logan followed with Penelope’s hand clasped firmly in his.
As we reached the hallway, an anguished wail pierced the air. “Her? You chose her over me?” Keira stood there, her face streaked with tears, looking like she’d been crying for hours.
My heart sank. I knew this confrontation was inevitable, but that didn’t make it any easier. The tension in the air was palpable, and I felt a flash of concern for Penelope. Keira’s desperation and anger were razor–sharp, and I worried what she might do in her
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emotional state.
“She’s my destined mate, so yes,” Logan stated firmly.
Keira’s bloodshot eyes flickered from Logan to Penelope, her glare venomous before she ran off sobbing. Penelope’s face crumpled with sympathy.
“Why are you upset?‘ Logan turned Penelope to face him, concern etched on his features.
“Because her heart is broken. You were together for so long. This must be so hard for her. Penelope gazed down the hallway where Keira had disappeared. “Maybe I should talk to her.”
“Absolutely not!” I interjected, my tone perhaps sharper than intended. The thought of what Keira might do in retaliation sent my protective instincts into overdrive. I couldn’t let sweet Penelope walk into potential danger. ‘Maybe after you’ve completed the bond,” I added more gently.
“Okay…” Penelope didn’t look entirely convinced.
“We should go,” Ryder said through our mind link. “I don’t want to run into that bitch.”
I nodded and turned toward the car. Ryder placed my books in the trunk, and I added my remaining belongings.
“See you tonight!” I called, waving to Logan and Penelope as we got in the car. Ryder immediately pressed down on the accelerator.
As we drove away, I silently prayed for Penelope. She was too kind for this world, which didn’t always reward kindness. I hoped Logan would protect her from Keira’s resentment.
Ryder squeezed my thigh reassuringly. “Everything will be fine.”
“Are you okay?” I asked, wrapping my arms around his and snuggling closer.
“Yeah, just wondering where she came from.”
“I don’t know. I always assumed she wasn’t a high–ranking wolf. Who would abandon their daughter?”
“We’ll worry about that tomorrow. Today is your day.” Ryder leaned over to kiss me at a stoplight.
“I’m ready for that massage now.”
“I’ll give you something better tonight,” Ryder smirked, his eyes darkening with promise. We were still ten miles from home when a thought crossed my mind. I gave him a look that he immediately understood, then leaned down to free his cock.
“Fuck,” he growled, gripping my ass as I took his cock in my mouth. I wasn’t entirely sure what I was doing, but judging by his reactions, desire was coursing through him. His hand guided my head, helping me maintain rhythm until I swallowed everything at the end. I licked my lips and sat up, leaning against the car door as watched him adjust himself. We were approaching pack
territory.
The car stopped at the main gate. “Alpha… Luna…” the guard acknowledged with a respectful nod. I awkwardly nodded back, still getting used to my new title.
Chapter 98
Xena’s POV
“You’re going to be the death of me,” Ryder laughed, shaking his head as we pulled up to the pack house.
“As long as you die happy,” I shrugged, feeling that familiar flutter in my chest when he smiled at me like that. As we stopped the car, could see Dad and Benedict still standing outside, deep in conversation.
“Hey kids. Everything go smoothly?” Dad asked, his eyes quickly assessing the small amount of belongings I’d brought
“That’s a question you should ask Logan,” I replied with a smirk, grabbing my things while Ryder lifted the box containing the rest of my possessions.
Benedict’s eyes narrowed slightly. “That’s all of it?”
“Yeah, I travel light,” I said matter–of–factly. Together we headed upstairs to our room–our room, not just his anymore–and I set everything down on the coffee table, suddenly feeling oddly vulnerable with my meager belongings on display.
“I need to take care of these things,” Ryder said, his green eyes studying my face. “You going to be okay?”
“Yeah, Ama and I will be in her room for the rest of the day,” I answered, staring at the small pile representing my entire life.
Alright. This is your room now too,” Ryder said, his gaze sweeping across the space. “Think about what changes you want to make. I want you to feel comfortable here.”
I picked up two framed photographs and my jewelry box, walked to what would now be my side of the bed, and placed them carefully on the nightstand. Setting the jewelry box in front of the photos, I smiled faintly. “All done!” I gave Ryder a slightly sad smile, noticing he was flipping through my sketches.
“Those are private,” I said, feeling exposed.
“These are amazing,” Ryder continued browsing, undeterred. He paused at a sketch of Samuel, his finger tracing the edge of the paper. “Can I borrow this one?”
“Why?” I asked, feeling a protective reluctance rise in my chest.
“Trust me, okay?” His eyes held mine, filled with something I couldn’t quite read.
I wanted to say no, but looking at his expectant expression, I found it hard to refuse. Maybe sharing a piece of myself with him wasn’t such a terrible thing. “Fine.”
Ryder leaned down and pressed a kiss to my forehead. “I won’t damage it. Let’s go to Ama’s room.”
“Okay.”
After knocking once, Ama yanked the door open. “Finally!” She grabbed my hand and pulled me inside with surprising strength for someone her size.
“The massage therapists are already here. Your spot is ready!” She was practically bouncing with excitement.
“Bye! I called out as Ama slammed the door in an amused Ryder’s face.
Did I make him angry?” Ama asked, dragging me toward the massage table.
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Chapter 98
Xena’s POV
“You’re going to be the death of me, Ryder laughed, shaking his head as we pulled up to the pack house.
“As long as you die happy,” I shrugged, feeling that familiar flutter in my chest when he smiled at me like that. As we stopped the car, I could see Dad and Benedict still standing outside, deep in conversation.
“Hey kids. Everything go smoothly?” Dad asked, his eyes quickly assessing the small amount of belongings I’d brought.
“That’s a question you should ask Logan,” I replied with a smirk, grabbing my things while Ryder lifted the box containing the rest of my possessions.
Benedict’s eyes narrowed slightly. “That’s all of it?”
“Yeah, I travel light,” I said matter–of–factly. Together we headed upstairs to our room–our room, not just his anymore–and I set everything down on the coffee table, suddenly feeling oddly vulnerable with my meager belongings on display.
“I need to take care of these things,” Ryder said, his green eyes studying my face. “You going to be okay?”
“Yeah, Ama and I will be in her room for the rest of the day,” I answered, staring at the small pile representing my entire life.
Alright. This is your room now too,” Ryder said, his gaze sweeping across the space. “Think about what changes you want to make. I want you to feel comfortable here.”
I picked up two framed photographs and my jewelry box, walked to what would now be my side of the bed, and placed them carefully on the nightstand. Setting the jewelry box in front of the photos, I smiled faintly. “All done!” I gave Ryder a slightly sad smile, noticing he was flipping through my sketches.
“Those are private,” I said, feeling exposed.
“These are amazing,” Ryder continued browsing, undeterred. He paused at a sketch of Samuel, his finger tracing the edge of the paper. “Can I borrow this one?”
“Why?” I asked, feeling a protective reluctance rise in my chest.
“Trust me, okay?” His eyes held mine, filled with something I couldn’t quite read.
I wanted to say no, but looking at his expectant expression, I found it hard to refuse. Maybe sharing a piece of myself with him wasn’t such a terrible thing. “Fine.”
Ryder leaned down and pressed a kiss to my forehead. “I won’t damage it. Let’s go to Ama’s room.”
“Okay.”
After knocking once, Ama yanked the door open. “Finally!” She grabbed my hand and pulled me inside with surprising strength for someone her size.
“The massage therapists are already here. Your spot is ready!” She was practically bouncing with excitement.
“Bye!” I called out as Ama slammed the door in an amused Ryder’s face.
Did I make him angry?” Ama asked, dragging me toward the massage table.
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“No, he just thinks you’re funny. I reassured her.
‘Great. Now strip and lie down. The massage therapist turned her bark while I removed my clothes and placed them on a chair. Once i was lying down, I covered myself with the sheet.
I closed my eyes and exhaled deeply, feeling the therapist’s skilled hands pressing into my shoulders. Each movement seemed to find exactly where tension had been building in my body, slowly bring it down.
The warm scent of essential oils filled the air, hints of lavender and Bergamot helping my mind drift into a peaceful state.
My thoughts wandered to what I wanted to do with our bedroom. Obviously, it would still need to have elements of Ryder in it. The room was primarily red and black. I’d just bought a red dress and a black dress. Maybe nothing needed to change. Maybe he’d already decorated it exactly how I would have wanted.
“Ah!” A sharp pain shot through my back, snapping me back to reality. I clenched my jaw, trying not to flinch.
“Breathe, the therapist reminded me softly, and I realized I’d been holding my breath. As she maintained pressure, the pain transformed from sharp to dull, like electricity ruhning through stiff muscles. I could feel the long–tense fibers resisting, then gradually surrendering to her expert technique. The pain was excruciating yet oddly satisfying.
Thirty minutes later, the love–hate massage ended.
“Thank you!” Ama said to the women as they left the room. If my hair hadn’t been a mess before, it certainly was now. That scalp massage had been incredible.
“Should I be worried about how good you feel right now?” Ryder joked in my mind.
“I’ll let you know how you compare after you show me what you can do tonight,” I teased back.
“Challenge accepted,” Ryder murmured, his voice dropping to that deep tone that always sent shivers down my spine.
“Hello? Earth to Xena!” Ama snapped her fingers in front of my face.
“Sorry!” I smiled at her.
“You can shower first!” she announced.
“Yes, ma’am!” I jumped up and ran naked into the bathroom to prepare for my shower.
I couldn’t help myself. The mental link with Ryder was still open. “OH, Ryder,” I moaned as I caressed myself.
There was something strangely satisfying about teasing him this way
“What are you doing?! Stop that!” He was wrestling with desire; I could feel it.
“What? I’m just showering. My body is all wet. The soap is running down my-”
“Unless you want me to come up there and take you in front of Ama, I suggest you stop,” he warned.
“Doesn’t sound like such a bad idea.”
“Woman…” Ryder sounded exhausted.
“Sorry, am I wearing you out already?” I taunted.
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Chapter 98
And I thought my my drive was strong. Ryder sighed
“Can you keep up? 1 finished my shoert, dried off, and truly save
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Chapter 98
“And I thought my sex drive was strong, Ryder sighed.
“Can
you
keep
up? 1
finished
my shower,
dried
off.
and
truly
the savored moment.
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