Chapter 99
Xena’s POV
“Are you doing okay?” Ama pulled out a tissue, then dug into her bag and produced a white silky loose–fitting shirt with matching shorts. The back of the shirt had “Luna” emblazoned across it in elegant script.
“I have a matching set too, but mine doesn’t say Luna! Ama held up her version, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
“I love it,” I whispered, feeling a rush of warmth spreading through my chest. It wasn’t just the gift itself, but how Ama always seemed to know exactly what would resonate with me. Being Luna was still a new identity I was adjusting to, and this gift felt like an affirmation of that transition.
“Great! Now I’m going to shower, and we’ll open the rest of the gifts when I get back!” She dashed out of the room before I could respond.
I grabbed the lotion and started moisturizing, slipping into the soft pajamas while my skin was still damp I was blow–drying my hair when Ama returned, her skin flushed from the hot water.
“Oh good, you’ve started already,” she
“You wouldn’t let me open presents,” I replied, feeling a childlike anticipation bubbling inside me while simultaneously enjoying the suspense.
“Actually, we can wait until everyone’s here.”
“Fine.” I smiled, knowing that gift–giving was Ama’s love language, and I didn’t want to ruin her excitement.
“Sit here.” Ama pointed to the chair. I finished drying my hair and sat down. She started curling my hair, her fingers working with practiced precision.
A knock on the door interrupted us. Ama ran to answer it. A kitchen staff member stood there with a tray of fruit and vegetables.
“Alpha Ryder asked me to bring you ladies some snacks,” she said, her voice respectful.
“Thank you,” I replied.
“You’re welcome, Luna Xena. If you need anything else, please let me know.”
Though it wasn’t the first time I’d been called Luna, I still felt goosebumps rise on my skin. “I will. What’s your name?
“Odessa.”
“Thank You, Odessa.” I smiled at her as she left.
“Ryder’s so thoughtful,” Ama said, popping a strawberry into her mouth.
After she finished with my hair, she started working on her own.
“Ama, are you happy here?” The question emerged from somewhere deep inside me.
“That’s a deep question. What’s wrong?” Ama looked at me through the mirror, concern etching lines between her brows.
Nothing’s wrong. It’s just that everything happened so quickly, and. My voice trailed off, uncertain how to articulate the complex emotions swirling inside me.
1/3
Chapter 99
“Xena, I’ve known you since we were kids. Your fear of commitment showing again. I thought you were happy with Ryder. He treats you like a princess.” Amak words hit the vulnerable spot in my heart with unerring accuracy.
I love Ryder. And I like it here. It’s just… everything is to new. I twisted the hem of my new shirt between my fingers.
“Have you told him you love him? Her eyes met mine in the mirror
“Of course,” I answered defensively.
“I mean really told him? Not just ‘I love you tho in response.”
I just frowned. Had 1? I searched my memory, and in every instance, he had said it first, and I had simply echoed the sentiment. i had never initiated that expression of my deepest feelings. The realization made me feel a twist of guilt.
“Home is wherever Ryder is. What do you need to make this place fee like home?” Ama’s question pierced straight to my core.
“Logan,” I sighed. The thought of being separated from him left an ache I couldn’t quite describe.
“Logan is always just a phone call away. Your twin brother isn’t going to disappear. It’ll be a change, but it’ll be a good change.“Ama finished curling her hair. “Come sit down. Let me do your makeup.”
“Fine.” While she worked on my makeup, I couldn’t talk, so we sat in comfortable silence. She gave me a smoky eye with perfect winged liner. My red lips would match my dress perfectly. Black earrings completed the look. Ama took down my curls, leaving a few strands to frame my face, and styled the rest into a low chignon that looked elegant and sophisticated.
“Go sit over there and don’t mess up my artwork,” Ama joked, then started doing her own makeup.
I grabbed some watermelon and sat down to watch her work. She left most of her hair down, only pulling the front sections back.
Just as she finished her makeup, the door opened. The boys walked in.
“You look beautiful,” Ryder said as he walked over to me. My heart raced–every time he looked at me like that, I felt like the most special person in the world.
“Don’t mess up her makeup!” Ama shouted as Ryder leaned in to kiss me.
“I’m her doll,” I laughed, but Ryder kissed me anyway. His kiss made me forget all my worries, making me want to stay in this moment of happiness forever.
“You girls are cutting it close,” William glanced at his watch.
“X, now you can open your presents,” Ama said.
“Can we call you X too?” William joked, settling into an armchair.
“Only if you can guess my IQ,” I smiled as I sat down to open the gifts.
120?” he asked.
“Wrong.” I opened the first gift, from my father. It was an elaborate tennis bracelet. Ryder helped me put it on.
“Higher or lower?” William pondered.
“What a rude question!” I feigned offense.
2/3
Chapter 99
1257 William guessed again.
The second gift was from Logan, a set of expensive painting supplic
“You’re insulting me now,” I continued to tease him.
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