Don't Poke the Luna (Xena and Ryder)

Xena's POV

Alpha Wiley circled the chair slowly, like a

predator sizing up its prey. "Tom, Tom, Tom.

or

should I say... Gamma Tom of the Boneath Pack?"

The sweat drained from Tom's face. His eyes darted between Alpha Wiley and me, realization dawning.noveldrama

You see, my dear Tom, I've known about your little undercover mission for quite some time now. Did you really think you could infiltrate my pack without me noticing?" Alpha Wiley's voice was smooth, almost conversational.

"I don't know what you're talking about, Tom said, but his voice lacked conviction.

Alpha Wiley laughed, a cold sound that made my skin crawl. "Oh, but you do. You've been feeding information back to Alpha Benedict for nine months now. Nine long months of you thinking you were so clever."

Tatum moved closer to me again, his breath hot against my ear. "This is where it gets interesting, princess."

I tried to step away, but his hand clamped down on my shoulder. "Don't you want to see what happens to traitors?"

Alpha Wiley gestured to one of his warriors, who moved to a control panel beside the chair. "You see, Tom, I've been giving you just enough real information to make you feel useful, while feeding you exactly what I wanted Alpha Benedict to know."

Tom's eyes widened in horror. "You're lying."

"Am I? Tell me, Tom, what did you report about our mechanical shop? About our operations there?" Alpha Wiley's smile was predatory.

Tom's mouth opened and closed, but no words came out.

That's right. You told them it was our main hub, our biggest money-maker. And what did they do with that information?" Alpha Wiley turned to me. "They blew up an empty building, didn't they, dear?"

I said nothing, but my silence was answer enough.

"You played them perfectly," Tatum said with admiration. "Dad's always ten steps ahead."

Alpha Wiley nodded to the warrior, who flipped a switch. Electricity coursed through Tom's body, and he screamed in agony. The sound echoed off the walls, making me flinch. Alpha Wiley watched Tom convulse with detached/interest. "Stop!" I shouted.

Tom's scream cut off as the electricity stopped. He hung limply in the chair, breathing heavily,

"Please," I said, forcing my voice to remain steady despite the horror churning in my stomach. "You've made your point. He understands now."

Alpha Wiley turned to me with raised eyebrows, as if genuinely surprised by my intervention. “Oh, how touching. The Luna pleading for mercy."

"You wanted me here. You have me. There's no need to torture him further." I met his gaze directly, refusing to show the fear that was clawing at my in

Tom lifted his head weakly, looking at me with confusion and something that might have been gratitude. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth where he'd bitten his tongue during the electrocution.

'She has a point, Dad," Tatum said, his hand still gripping my shoulder possessively. "We got what we needed from him. The rest of the information we

can

extract later."

Alpha Wiley studied me for a long moment, his cold eyes calculating. Then he smiled - that same twisted expression that made my skin crawl. "Very well. I suppose we can pause our little demonstration.

He nodded to the warrior, who stepped back but remained ready to resume at a moment's notice.

You see, Tom, Alpha Wiley continued conversationally, "your new Luna here has fust saved you from further... discomfort. For now. He walked over t where I stood, getting close enough that I could smell his stale breath. "But don't mistake this for weakness, dear, I'm simply choosing to be, mencint

Tom slumped in the chair, still breathing heavily.

I thought you and Helen were helping with kidnapping me? I didn't want their attention to shift back to Tom while they were in a good mood. Ineeded to gather more information while I had the chance.

Ah, your brain truly is special." Alpha Wiley walked toward me, patting my head like a parent would, which made me feel sick. "We did have help. You see Tatum is actually Helen's mate."

I gasped and stepped back from Tatum in shock. How was this possible? Helen... and Tatum? My mind raced through all the details, trying to understand this shocking truth.

"Why are you so surprised? Helen is a decent lay, but she's in love with Ryder, and I want you. It really worked out well for us. She told us about that existing tunnel. Since our tunnels weren't 100% finished and we hadn't collected all the data we needed, we used the one she recommended

"We couldn't let the other tunnels be discovered so early. That would have ruined our plans." Alpha Wiley laughed as he walked back to the machine.

I felt nausea rising in my throat. I had always thought Helen was just misguided,

but she was actually part of their plan all along.

"Did you and Helen reject each other?" I asked.

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