The Return of the Unchosen Luna

Chapter 13- The Lady Rogue

As Leandra, Xenon, and Thorne journeyed on, they encountered a mysterious figure - a lady rogue named Lyra. Lyra was a skilled thief and assassin, with a quick wit and a sharp tongue. Despite her questionable morals, Lyra seemed to have a good heart, and she quickly befriended the trio.

However, Leandra couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy towards Lyra. The lady rogue seemed to have a flirtatious manner, especially around Xenon, and Leandra found herself feeling possessive and protective of him.

Xenon, oblivious to Leandra's concerns, treated Lyra with his usual kindness and respect. Thorne, on the other hand, seemed to view Lyra with a mixture of suspicion and curiosity.

As they traveled together, Lyra proved to be a valuable ally, using her skills to help the group navigate treacherous terrain and avoid danger. But Leandra couldn't shake the feeling that Lyra was after something more than just friendship.

One night, as they sat around a campfire, Lyra leaned in close to Xenon, her voice low and husky. "You're quite the handsome warrior, aren't you?" she said, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

Leandra felt a surge of irritation at Lyra's words. She didn't like the way the lady rogue was flirting with Xenon, and she found herself wondering if Lyra was trustworthy.

Xenon, however, seemed to take Lyra's comment in stride. "I'm just a warrior," he said, his voice calm. "Nothing special."

Lyra laughed, her eyes never leaving Xenon's face. "Oh, I think you're more than just a warrior," she said. "I think you're someone very special."

Leandra's jealousy simmered just below the surface, but she tried to keep her cool. She didn't want to seem possessive or controlling, but she couldn't help but feel a sense of unease around Lyra.

As the night wore on, Leandra found herself growing more and more withdrawn. She didn't participate in the conversation, preferring to sit back and observe the others.

Xenon noticed her silence and leaned over to whisper in her ear. "Hey, are you okay?" he asked, his voice low.

Leandra nodded, forcing a smile. "Yeah, I'm fine," she said.

But Xenon's eyes narrowed, and he seemed to sense that something was wrong. "Is everything okay?" he asked again.

Leandra hesitated, unsure of how to express her feelings. "It's just... Lyra," she said finally. "I don't know if I trust her."

Xenon's expression softened, and he put a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "We'll be careful," he said. "But I think Lyra can be trusted. She's helped us so far, and she's been honest with us."

Leandra nodded, feeling a sense of relief. Maybe she was just being paranoid. Maybe Lyra was exactly what she seemed - a friendly ally in a treacherous world.

But as she looked over at Lyra, who was laughing and joking with Thorne, Leandra couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to the lady rogue than met the eye.

As the days passed, Leandra's jealousy towards Lyra continued to simmer. She couldn't help but notice the way Lyra flirted with Xenon, the way she touched his arm or laughed at his jokes. Leandra felt like she was the only one who truly understood Xenon, and she didn't like the way Lyra seemed to be inserting herself into their group.

One night, as they were setting up camp, Lyra sidled up to Xenon and started chatting with him about their journey. Leandra watched from a distance, feeling her anger and frustration build. Why was Lyra always trying to get Xenon's attention? Didn't she see that Leandra and Xenon had a special bond?

As Lyra laughed and teased Xenon, Leandra's jealousy boiled over. She stormed over to the pair, her face hot with anger. "Xenon, we need to talk," she said, her voice low and urgent.

Xenon looked up at her, concern etched on his face. "What's wrong, Leandra?" he asked.

Leandra hesitated, unsure of how to express her feelings. "It's just... Lyra," she said finally. "I don't like the way she's always flirting with you."

Xenon's expression softened, and he put a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Leandra, Lyra is just being friendly," he said. "She's not trying to cause any trouble."

Leandra shook her head, feeling a surge of frustration. "You don't understand," she said. "You're always so calm and collected, but I'm the one who has to deal with the fallout when Lyra's flirtations get out of hand."

Xenon's eyes narrowed, and he pulled Leandra aside. "Leandra, what's really going on here?" he asked. "Is this about Lyra, or is this about something else?"

Leandra hesitated, unsure of how to answer. She didn't know how to explain the feelings of jealousy and insecurity that were swirling inside her. But as she looked into Xenon's eyes, she saw a deep understanding and empathy there.

"Maybe it's a little bit of both," she said finally, her voice barely above a whisper.

Xenon nodded, his expression gentle. "Let's talk about this later, okay?" he said. "But for now, let's just focus on getting through this journey together."

Leandra nodded, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. She knew that she could trust Xenon, and that he would always be there to support her. But as she glanced over at Lyra, who was watching them with a knowing glint in her eye, Leandra couldn't help but feel a pang of uncertainty. What would happen next? Would Lyra continue to push Leandra's buttons, or would she back off and respect Leandra's boundaries? Only time would tell.

Leandra's anger simmered just below the surface as she watched Xenon and Lyra interact. She couldn't believe that Xenon seemed so oblivious to Lyra's flirtations. Didn't he see that Lyra was coming on to him? Didn't he care that Leandra was feeling jealous and insecure?

As the day wore on, Leandra's anger grew. She started to lash out at Xenon, snapping at him over small things. Xenon, sensing that something was wrong, tried to talk to her, but Leandra just pushed him away.

"Leave me alone, Xenon," she said, her voice cold. "I don't need your help or your advice."

Xenon's eyes narrowed, and he looked at her with concern. "Leandra, what's going on?" he asked. "You're acting strange."

Leandra's anger boiled over, and she let loose a torrent of words. "You really don't get it, do you?" she said. "You're so clueless. Lyra is flirting with you right in front of me, and you're just standing there like a statue. Don't you see what's going on?"

Xenon's expression softened, and he took a step closer to her. "Leandra, I think you're misunderstanding the situation," he said. "Lyra is just being friendly. She's not trying to hurt you."

Leandra's anger turned to hurt, and she felt tears prick at the corners of her eyes. "You don't understand me at all," she said, her voice cracking.

Xenon's face fell, and he looked at her with regret. "Leandra, I'm sorry if I've hurt you," he said. "I didn't mean to."

Leandra turned away, feeling a mix of emotions. She knew she was being irrational, but she couldn't help the way she felt. She just needed some space, some time to think.

"I need some time alone," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Xenon nodded, his eyes filled with understanding. "Okay, Leandra. I'll give you space."

As Leandra walked away, she felt a pang of guilt. She knew she had hurt Xenon, and she didn't know how to fix things. But for now, she just needed to be alone, to sort out her feelings and figure out what was going on inside her.

*Xenon and Leandra's Conversation*

Xenon found Leandra sitting by a nearby stream, her feet dangling in the water. She looked lost in thought, and Xenon could sense the turmoil in her mind.

"Hey," he said, sitting down beside her. "I've been thinking. We need to talk about what's going on."

Leandra looked up at him, her eyes still flashing with anger. "What's going on?" she repeated. "You really don't know, do you?"

Xenon shook his head. "No, I don't," he said. "But I'm trying to understand. You're upset because of Lyra, aren't you?"

Leandra's face twisted in frustration. "It's not just Lyra," she said. "It's the way you are with her. You seem so... comfortable around her."

Xenon's expression softened. "Leandra, I'm just being friendly," he said. "I don't mean to make you feel uncomfortable or jealous."

Leandra's eyes dropped, and she looked away. "I'm not jealous," she muttered.

Xenon chuckled. "Oh, really?" he said. "Because it seems to me like you are."

Leandra's face heated up, and she glared at him. "Fine," she said. "Maybe I am a little jealous. But it's not like I'm the only one who's ever felt this way."

Xenon's smile faltered, and he looked at her with a serious expression. "Leandra, I care about you deeply," he said. "And I value our friendship above all else. But I need you to know that I'm not interested in Lyra in that way. She's a friend, nothing more."

Leandra's anger began to dissipate, replaced by a sense of hope. Maybe Xenon didn't see Lyra as a romantic interest after all. Maybe he truly did care about her, Leandra.

"Okay," she said finally, her voice barely above a whisper. "I believe you."

Xenon's face relaxed, and he smiled. "Good," he said. "Because I don't want anything to come between us. We're a team, Leandra. And I need you by my side."

Leandra's heart swelled with emotion, and she felt a sense of gratitude towards Xenon. He was willing to listen to her, to understand her feelings. And he was willing to reassure her that he cared about her.

"Thanks, Xenon," she said, her voice filled with sincerity. "That means a lot to me."

Xenon's smile grew wider, and he put a hand on her shoulder. "Anytime, Leandra," he said. "I'm always here for you."

As the days passed, Lyra's flirtations with Xenon continued. She would touch his arm, laugh at his jokes, and gaze into his eyes. Xenon, however, seemed oblivious to her advances, treating her with the same kindness and respect he showed Leandra.

One evening, as they sat around the campfire, Lyra leaned in close to Xenon, her voice husky. "You're quite the handsome warrior, aren't you?" she said, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

Xenon smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I'm just a warrior," he said, his voice low.

Lyra's gaze lingered on his face, and for a moment, it seemed like she was going to kiss him. Xenon's eyes met hers, and he seemed to sense her intentions. Without thinking, he leaned in, his lips brushing against hers.

The kiss was brief, but it sent a spark through both of them. Lyra's eyes flashed with surprise, and Xenon's face went still.

Leandra, who had been watching from across the fire, felt a pang of jealousy. She didn't know what to make of Xenon's actions, but she knew she didn't like it.

"Xenon, what was that?" Lyra asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Xenon's expression was neutral, but his eyes betrayed a hint of surprise. "I don't know," he said. "It just happened."

Lyra's smile grew wider, and she leaned in the eyes. "I see," she said. "Well, in that case, maybe we can do it again sometime."

Xenon's face remained neutral, but Leandra could sense his unease. She didn't know what was going on between Xenon and Lyra, but she knew she didn't like it.

Xenon's lips brushed against Lyra's, sending a spark through both of them. It was a brief, unexpected moment, but it left a lasting impression.

Lyra's eyes locked onto Xenon's, her gaze searching for answers. Xenon's face was neutral, but his eyes betrayed a hint of surprise.

Leandra, watching from across the fire, felt a pang of jealousy. She didn't know what to make of Xenon's actions, but she knew she didn't like it.

As the night wore on, Lyra's flirtations with Xenon continued. She would touch his arm, laugh at his jokes, and gaze into his eyes. Xenon, however, seemed distant, his mind elsewhere.

Leandra couldn't help but wonder what was going on between Xenon and Lyra. Had Xenon developed feelings for the rogue? And what did Lyra want from him?

The questions swirled in Leandra's mind, making her feel uncertain and insecure. She didn't know how to navigate her feelings, or what the future held for her and Xenon.

As the night drew to a close, Lyra leaned in close to Xenon once more. "Thanks for the kiss," she whispered, her voice husky.

Xenon's face went still, his eyes locked onto Lyra's. "It was nothing," he said, his voice neutral.

Lyra's smile grew wider, and she leaned in close to whisper something in Xenon's ear. Whatever she said, it made Xenon's face tense, and Leandra's jealousy spike.

What was going on between Xenon and Lyra? And what did the future hold for the three of them? Only time would tell.

As the days passed, the tensions between Leandra, Xenon, and Lyra continued to rise. Leandra couldn't shake off the feeling that Xenon was developing feelings for Lyra, and Lyra's flirtations weren't helping.

One evening, as they sat around the campfire, Lyra leaned in close to Xenon and whispered something in his ear. Xenon's eyes met Leandra's, and for a moment, they just stared at each other.

Leandra's heart sank, and she felt a surge of jealousy. She didn't know what Lyra had said to Xenon, but she knew she didn't like it.

"What's going on?" Leandra asked, her voice tight with tension.

Xenon's expression was neutral, but Leandra could see the hint of a smile in his eyes. "Nothing," he said. "Just discussing our route."

Leandra's eyes narrowed. "I don't believe you," she said.

Lyra's laughter cut through the tension. "Oh, come on, Leandra," she said. "Don't be so serious. We're just having a little fun."

Leandra's anger boiled over, and she stood up, her eyes flashing with anger. "I'm not in the mood for your games, Lyra," she said. "Just leave us alone."

Lyra's smile faltered, and she looked at Xenon, who was watching the exchange with interest. "I think I'll take a walk," Lyra said, standing up.

As Lyra walked away, Leandra turned to Xenon. "What's going on between you and Lyra?" she asked, her voice low.

Xenon's expression was neutral, but Leandra could see the hint of a smile in his eyes. "Nothing," he said. "I think Lyra is just trying to get a rise out of you."

Leandra's eyes narrowed. "I don't know what to think," she said. "But I do know that I don't like the way she's flirting with you."

Xenon's smile grew wider, and he reached out to touch Leandra's arm. "I'm not interested in Lyra," he said. "I care about you, Leandra. You're the one I want to be with."

Leandra's heart skipped a beat as she looked into Xenon's eyes. She saw the sincerity there, and her anger began to dissipate.

"Really?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Xenon nodded, his eyes locked onto hers. "Really," he said.

As they sat there, the tension between them began to dissipate, replaced by a sense of understanding and connection. Leandra felt a sense of relief wash over her, and she knew that she could trust Xenon.

But as they sat there, Lyra's words echoed in Leandra's mind. What if Xenon's feelings for her weren't as strong as she thought? What if he was just trying to reassure her?

Leandra's doubts began to resurface, and she pulled away from Xenon. "I need some time to think," she said.

Xenon's expression was understanding, and he nodded. "Okay," he said. "I'll give you space."

As Leandra walked away, she felt a sense of uncertainty. What did the future hold for her and Xenon? And what role would Lyra play in their relationship? Only time would tell.