SWNOVELS Chapter 69
Chapter 69: Ayla
I hardly slept that night. When my alarm went off, I wanted to throw my phone across the room. I sighed into the pillow. Regardless of how justified my foul mood was, I needed to get over it before meeting with Alpha and Luna. I pushed the blankets off and threw my legs over the side of the bed. I felt like I was on auto-pilot as I got ready, my mind a million other places.
I threw my hair up in a ponytail and dressed in leggings and a tank top. I thought a jog might help clear my mind. I sl*pped my tennis on and went to grab my phone. My hand hovered over it for a moment before I decided to leave it behind. I’d call Kingston when I got back. I didn’t want to risk taking my bad mood out on him.
Leaving it on the nightstand, I headed out of the guest house. I jumped when I opened the front door. Luna Grace was standing right outside. She had a cup of coffee in each hand.
“Luna,” I said, “good morning. You startled me.”
“Sorry about that, sweetie,” she said, holding out one of the cups. “I thought you might want some coffee.
“Um, yes, thank you,” I replied, taking the one she offered. “I appreciate it.”
She smiled. “Ayla, would you mind going for a walk with me?”
“Of course,” I agreed. “I was just about to go for a walk myself.”
I followed Luna Grace outside and around the guest house. She led me to a trail that led through the woods. We walked quietly for a while before she spoke to me again.
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Chapter 69: Ayla
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“Ayla, I owe yoù an apology,” she finally said.
I was confused. I had no idea what she was talking about.
“For what?” I asked.
“I’m afraid I haven’t been completely honest with you,” she admitted, “with my reasons for bringing you here.”
I stopped in my tracks. “What do you mean?”
Luna Grace rested a hand on my arm, squeezing it gently. She had a pained expression.
“Ayla, before you react, let me explain. I know you’re Theo’s mate. His fated mate.”
My jaw clenched. I opened my mouth to speak, but Luna Grace stopped me.
“Please, Ayla, let me finish,” she pleaded. I gave her a tight nod. “Theo told me a few weeks ago, the day he broke up with Kylee. He told me everything, Ayla. I know he hurt you terribly. And I won’t pretend I’m not ashamed of his behavior.” She took a deep breath. “But I love my son, Ayla. More importantly, I know my son. The person he was when you met him isn’t the person he is.”
She began walking again and I followed.
“First, I want to make something very clear. I absolutely want you to write this book for Torin. Everything I said about that was true, and there really isn’t anyone else that I would want to do this. But I did go to the Alphas’ Gathering with the hope of seeing you. I do hope your being here may allow you to mend things between you.”
“Luna Grace,” I interjected, “I’ve forgiven Theo. But it’s not that
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Chapter 69: Ayia
simple. We both rejected each other. That led me to Kingston. I’ve made a commitment to him.”
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“I know that,” she said. “No one here is going to force you into anything. If you want to be with Kingston, I will not stand in your way. No one here will. I am sorry for deceiving you. I truly am. But I’m not sorry for bringing you here. And not just for Theo. You deserve to know who your fated mate really is. You both do.”
I sighed. “Luna, I appreciate where you’re coming from. I do. But it’s not only about Theo and me anymore. I started to build a life in the Sablemane pack. I’m one of them now. I have friends. A career.
“Okay,” she said calmly. “And you can return to all that whenever you want.” Sadness took over her features. “If you’ve made your choice, then we’ll accept that. But I do hope you will still stay for Alpha Torin.”
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“Of course,” I said. “I knew I would run into Theo sooner or later.”
“I won’t keep him from coming here, Ayla,” Luna Grace said. “I will let you know if he is coming up, and you can decide what to do. But I won’t…”
“No, of course not,” I insisted. “I don’t want you to do that. Me being here shouldn’t keep Theo from his family. Especially not his father. But I… I don’t want to give anyone false hope.”
Luna Grace reached up and gently gripped my chin.
“Okay,” she said gently. “But let me just say, my dear girl, I don’t think I’ll ever forgive Theo for being so stu*id.”
We both let out a soft laugh. I looped my arm through hers and turned back toward the house.
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Chapter 69. Ayta
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“I think you’ll manage it somehow,” I assured her.
We took our time walking back. We talked a little. I switched the topic to the book. I went over the process and asked about anything specific she wanted to include. I would have to interview other pack members as well.
“There are plenty who would be happy to contribute,” she said proudly. “I can get you a list to start off with.”
“That would be helpful. Thank you.” We stopped outside the main house. “If you think Alpha is up for it, I can grab my stuff, and we can get started.”
“He was in a good mood when I left him earlier, so I think he’ll be open to that. You guys can set up on the back porch. I’ll let him know, and you can meet him out there.”
“Okay,” I said.
I went back to the guest house to get my work bag. I grabbed my phone from the nightstand table and noticed I had two missed calls. I winced. I still needed to call Kingston. I clicked the call button and held it to my ear while ensuring everything was in my bag. He picked up on the second ring.
“Hey, Kin,” I said. “I’m sorry I missed your calls. I went for a jog and left my phone.”
“Good morning to you, too,” he chuckled.
I smiled. “Good morning.”
“Did you sleep well?” he asked.
“Not really,” I stated. “But you know, travel and all. I’ll be fine.”
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“Is the pain worse?” he asked, his concern evident.
“It’s still manageable, Kingston,” I said with an eye roll. “I promise I’ll be just fine. What are you getting up to today?”
“Meeting after meeting, business as usual,” he said. “You?”
“I’m on my way to sit with Alpha Torin,” I said, throwing my bag over my shoulder. “I’m ready to get the ball rolling.”
“You better be,” he teased. “The sooner you get what you need, the sooner you get to come back to me.
“J
“I know, I know,” I chuckled. “I’ll talk to you later.”
“Okay,” he said. “I love you.”
“You, too,” I replied before hanging up and heading to the main house.
Chapter 70: Theo
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