Don't Poke the Luna (Xena and Ryder)

Chapter 269 Ryder's POV The silence in Logan's office was suffocating. Ama sat hunched in her chair, tears streaming down her face as her hands trembled against her belly. The sight of her breaking down like this made my chest tighten with guilt and rage.

"He's going to die, Ama sobbed, her voice cracking. "William's going to die and I'll never see him again. Our baby will never know their father.

Penelope immediately moved to Ama's side, wrapping her arms around her shoulders. "Hey, don't think like that. We're going to get them both back But even as Penelope spoke those comforting words, I could see the fear in her eyes. We all knew how dangerous this was, how slim our chances were against Alpha Wiley's technology and weapons.

'I found them, Galen's voice cut through the tension like a blade. He was hunched over his laptop, fingers flying across the keyboard. Alpha Wiley's got them in an abandoned factory about a hundred kilometers north of here. It's isolated, surrounded by industrial wasteland." Logan immediately moved to stand behind Galen, studying the satellite images on the screen. "Showeverything you've got." "There's the main complex here," Galen pointed to a cluster of buildings on the screen. "Multiple warehouses, but this seven-story building in the center is where the thermal signatures are concentrated. That's got to be where they're holding them." My wolf was clawing at my consciousness, demanding action. Every second we spent planning was another second Xena was in that monster's hands. "We need to go now," I said, my voice rough with barely controlled fury.

'Not so fast, Logan held up a hand. "We need a strategy. Going in guns blazing will get everyone killed." "She's my Luna! I roared, slamming my fist on the desk. "Every minute we waste here is another minute she's being tortured!" "And rushing in like an idiot will guarantee her death!" Logan shot back, his Alpha authority filling the room. "Do you think I don't care about getting my sister back? Do you think this isn't killingtoo?" Leonard stepped forward, his face grim. "Logan's right. We need to be smart about this." I wanted to argue, wanted to tear out of here and race to that factory, but the rational part of my brain knew they were right. Taking a shaky breath, I forced myself to listen.

"Here's what we're going to do," Logan said, pulling up a tactical map "Eight vehicles, forty warriors total. The drive should take about two hours if we push it hard." "Two hours?" Ama's voice was barely a whisper. "They could be dead in two hours." "They won't be," Logan said firmly, though I caught the slight tremor in his voice. "Wiley needs them alive for whatever sick plan he's got." Logan continued outlining the strategy. "Four cars take the front entrance with twenty warriors. That's where you cin, Ryder. You're going to make a lot of noise, draw their attention." 'I want to be the one to rescue her,' I interrupted.

"No." Logan's tone brooked no argument. "You're too emotionally compromised. You'll get reckless, get people killed." "I can handle it- "Can you?" Logan stepped closer, his eyes boring into mine. "Because from where I'm standing, you look like you're about two seconds. losing your shit." om completely The accusation stung because it was true. My hands were shaking with the need for violence, to tear apart anyone who had hurt Xena. "She's everything to me, Logan. I can't lose her." "Then trustto get her back." Logan's voice softened slightly. "I need you to be the distraction. Make Wiley think you've cfor revenge, that you're 1/2 Chapter 269 acting alone out of grief and rage. Make him focus all his attention on the front while I take twenty warriors through the back entrance.

I ran my hands through my hair, fighting against every instinct that screamed atto charge in there myself. 'What if something goes wrong: What it can't get to her in time?" "You have to trust the plan," Leonard said quietly. "Trust Logan." Galen looked up from his computer. "The thermal imaging shows most of their forces are concentrated in the main building and the front perimeter. If Ryder can draw them out, Logan's team should have a clear path to the back entrance." I closed my eyes, trying to center myself. Xena neededto be smart, not emotional. She neededto be an Alpha, not just a desperate mate "What do you needto do?" I asked finally.

"Go in loud and angry," Logan said. 'Make demands, threaten Wileym make him think you're there for a NO straightforward revenge play. Keep his attention focused on you while we infiltrate from behind." "And if they start shooting?"

"Duck and cover, but don't retreat. We need you to hold their attention long enough for us to locate Xena and William." I nodded slowly, the plan starting to make sense despite my desperate need to be the one to save her. "How long do I need to keep them distracted?" "Give us thirty minutes from the twe reach the back entrance. Galen will coordinate communications." Ama looked up, her eyes red. "Bring them home. Bring them both home." "I promise," I said, meaning every word. 'I'll die before I let anything happen to them."

"You're not dying today," Logan said firmly. "None of us are We're alm We'realm coming htogether. Are you En ready for this?" 'More than ready." I met his gaze steadily. 'Let's go get our family back." Chapter Comments 12