SWNOVELS Chapter 37
Chapter 37: Kingston
I tried to talk Ayla into going home for the day after Theo ambushed her at her office, but she insisted on staying, despite the fact that her leg was bothering her. And I suspected the pain from the broken bond was also worse after seeing Theo again. It made it really hard to leave her in her office.
So, when the time came to leave, I was eager to get her back home. All I wanted to do was get her comfortable and hold her in my arms for the rest of the day. But she seemed a little distant on the ride home. I thought it was the stress of the day, but something told me she was mad at me.
“I’m going to go change. Maybe go to bed early tonight,” Ayla said, heading toward her room as soon as we entered the house.
I reached out for her arm. “Hey, is everything okay?” I asked tentatively. “Are you still upset about Theo showing up?”
“Why did you have to antagonize him?” she snapped.
“Ayla, it wasn’t hard to do,” I replied. “Besides, he needs to know to leave you alone.”
“I can take care of that myself, Kingston,” Ayla yelled. “Couldn’ t you telt he looked awful? He’s obviously going through a lot right now, and I doubt he’s thinking straight. Then you had to add that I was being threatened to the mix?”
“You may not believe it’s him, but I…”
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“It’s not Theo,” she bellowed. “And you didn’t have to throw it in his face that I’m with you.”
“Are you with me?” I yelled, my own frustration taking over.
“What are you talking about?”
“Are you with me, Ayla? And I don’t mean as a pack member,” I said. “You know how I feel about you, but I have no idea how you really feel about me, let alone what this relationship is to you.”
Ayla looked at me. Without saying anything, she threw her arms around my n*eck, her mouth slamming into mine. I instantly returned the embrace, giving in to everything she demanded from me. We were both breathless when she pulled away.
“I’m with you, Kingston,” she said. “I want to be with you. I have feelings for you. You’re not just my pack Alpha to me. But I can’t give in to those feelings yet. My heart won’t let me. Not until Theo marks Kylee, and I’m free of the bond.”
“What if he doesn’t mark her, Ayla?” I asked. “What if he tries to come back for you?”
After today, there was no denying that was a very real possibility. Theo would figure out how wrong he was about Ayla. If he hadn’t already. She was right about Theo looking terrible. I didn’t think he’d slept in a while. If he was struggling with the bond as well, then finding out his reasons for rejecting her didn’t actually exist could easily have him fighting to get her back.
Ayla sighed. “I don’t know Theo, and my experience with him. hasn’t exactly instilled any trust, I don’t want to be with
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Chapter 37: Kingston
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anyone who doesn’t want to be with me, and I don’t want anyone I can’t trust.”
“Then why wait for him to finish this?” I rushed. “I want you by my side, Ayla. I want to make you my Luna.”
She gasped. “Kingston…”.
“I’m serious, Ayla,” I insisted. “If you want me, I’m all in. Forever.”
She leaned in and k*ssed me again. This time it was gentle and light. And I didn’t miss the sadness in her eyes before she did
it.
“I can’t,” she whispered. “Not yet.”
I wasn’t surprised by her response, but it still hurt. I turned my head, clenching my jaw.
“It’s not because of Theo,” she explained. “It’s… it’s Dasha.”
I relaxed, reaching up to brush my fingers across her cheek. “What do you mean?”
“I’m scared,” she said, wincing. “I’m worried if I go there with you if we committed to each other before she was ready,
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she won’t come back. I’m scared she’ll see it as another
betrayal. I’m scared I’ll lose her forever. I can’t… I don’t know if I could live through that, Kingston.”
Her anxiety became more evident as she spoke. I could see the fear building.
“Shh, it’s okay.” I pulled her to me, holding her tight. “It’s okay. I understand. I’m sorry. I didn’t think about what that could do to Dasha.”
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Chapter 37. Kingston
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Lennix was there in my mind, and he agreed with Ayla. He
wanted to meet her wolf. He wanted to be with Dasha, too. I couldn’t deny either of them that wish or that I wanted it too. I could wait as long as she needed.
“Lennix and I will be here when you both are ready,” I said softly. She tightened her arms around me, making me smile.
“I’m going to change,” she said, resting her chin on my chest. as she looked back up at me. “Maybe we can do something together tonight. Just the two of us?”
“I can definitely make that happen,” I said, smiling as I k*ssed her forehead.
She headed toward her room while I went to the kitchen to get an idea for dinner. Maybe I would cook for her tonight.
“Kingston…” Ayla cried from her room, an edge to her voice that had me on alert.
I ran to her room. “Ayla, what’s wrong?”
She was standing in the middle of the room. I came up behind her, following her gaze to see what had caused her reaction.
A blue envelope was lying on her desk.