The Luna’s Choice (Theo and Ayla) by Kat Silver

Chapter 84: Ayla

I was glad I came to stay at the packhouse. The past three days had been great. Theo was right about having privacy. I had a small apartment to myself and it was perfect. I got so much work done during the day. In the evenings, I spent time with friends. I was reunited with our childhood friend Annabell and a few other people I had either gone to school or worked with throughout my teenage years.

My mood had lifted after my first night here. After Theo suggested I leave and Kingston refused to come back to see me, I felt a bit dejected. I knew I was being sensitive, but it still bothered me. But once I got here, Mina and Briggs swept in and dragged me out to socialize.

We were going out again tonight. We had planned a big dinner with about twelve people. Zeff was coming and was bringing Holly, which I was excited about. Annabell was bringing her mate. She had convinced her mother-in-law to babysit their infant and was happy to get a break. A good friend from my freshman year in high school and two guys I worked with as a teen were also coming.

We had reserved the covered patio of a popular local restaurant and were having a fantastic time. There was good food, good drinks, and great company. Most importantly, I fit in. I felt wanted.

么

I was talking with Annabell, her mate, and my friend Lenny when I saw a familiar face through the window. It was the guy I saw the day I had lunch with Zeff. I had thought I had seen him a couple of days before as well, but I kept waving it off as coincidence. I swore he kept looking at me, but again, I just brushed it off. I could also be familiar to him, and he couldn’t remember either.

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But then I saw him smoking in the parking lot, and he was definitely looking at me like he knew exactly who I was. I didn’t like it. There was a gate to the parking lot on the patio. I opened it and walked toward him.

“Hey,” I called to him. “Do I know you?”

He didn’t say anything. He just turned to leave, flicking his cigarette

away.

“Hey,” I called again, picking up my pace. “I’m talking to you.”

“Ayla, what’s wrong,” Briggs asked behind me. Mina, Zeff, and Lenny weren’t far behind me.

“I think that guy has been following me,” I said, admitting it to myself as much as to them.

“Hey, you,” Briggs said, heading to catch up to him.

The guy tried to quicken his pace, but he didn’t seem to want to run. Briggs caught him by the shoulder and turned him to face me. When I approached and saw him close up, I remembered where I knew him from. And I got pi**ed.

“You,” I spat. “What the hell are you doing here?”

He started to speak but Zeff broke in. “You know this guy, Ayla?”

“He’s one of Kingston’s Ga**as,” I informed them. “Parker, isn’t it? Did ngston send you to spy on me?”

“I’m only here to ensure you’re safe,” he insisted.

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” I said. “No wonder he hasn’t been calling me ten times a day anymore. He has you to inform him of my

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every move. If you’re not spying, why is it I only see you when I’m here in the city? When I’m actually daring to speak to anyone other than Kingston?”

Parker didn’t say anything, but I didn’t need him to. It only took me a minute to realize the answer. I laughed bitterly.

“You couldn’t get past the patrol.”

Parker looked at my companions. “Can we have a minute?”

“No,” I snapped. “You can tell Kingston you’re coming back. I don’t need you lurking in the shadows everywhere I go.”

“I can’t do that, Luna,” Parker said.

I balked at the title. I pushed him back, separating us from the others.

“I am not your Luna,” I corrected. “Not if your Alpha keeps acting like this.”

Parker’s eyes went wide. “Luna, I didn’t… He didn’t mean…”

“Of course he didn’t,” I growled. “He doesn’t mean to make any of the st**id decisions he’s made. Go home, Parker. I’ll deal with your Alpha.”

“Lu- Ma’am, I can’t,” he protested. “He commanded me.”

“Well, now I’m commanding you. GO HOME.”

Shock and surprise filled Parker’s expression, but all he could do was nod and leave. Briggs approached me as I pulled my phone out of my

purse.

“Do you want me to send someone to follow him and ensure he leaves

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the territory?”

“No.” I said. “He’ll leave.”

I hit Kingston’s contact and listened to the line ring.

He didn’t answer.

Some of the others in our group had come to see what was going on. was so embarrassed.

“I’m sorry, guys,” I said sadly. “I’m going to have to call it a night. I’m not in the mood to visit anymore.”

They were all supportive and understanding. Mina and Briggs wanted to take me home, but I insisted they stay and continue to enjoy the night. I had ridden with them, so Briggs gave me the keys to his truck. Annabell said they’d get them home.

I

I spent the ride home trying to calm down while trying to call Kingston. But every time it went to voicemail, I got increasingly pi**ed off. I had made it all the way to my apartment and slammed the door when he finally called me back.

“Ayla, what’s wrong?” Kingston said, his voice panicked.

“What’s wrong?” I replied. “What’s wrong is the actual nerve you have. You’re constantly telling me how much I need to be protected. So much so that yo feel the need to go behind my back and have me followed. And yet, when I actually NEED you, you can’t be bothered to pick up the f****ng phone. How dare you send Parker to spy on me?”

“He’s not there to spy on you, Ayla,” Kingston snapped. “He’s there to make sure Conner, or anyone else, doesn’t lay a hand on you.”

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“And who else would want to lay a hand on me, Kingston?” I pushed. “I’ve already told you, Theo’s not here. So if you’re talking about him, you just proved you don’t trust me.”

“Of course I trust you,” he growled.

“Then who else would be coming after me, Kingston?” I knew he was keeping something from me. I knew it. When he didn’t answer, I knew he still wouldn’t tell me. And I was done with it. “Kingston, you embarrassed the hell out of me tonight.”

“If you had stayed home when I told you to, we wouldn’t be having this conversation, Ayla.”

“Who’s coming after me, Kingston?”

“No one,” he yelled. “I promise, no one is coming after you.”

“Then you don’t trust me,” I stated. “I’m not going to be the victim of your insecurities, Kingston. I’m done. We’re over.”

“Ay-”

I hung up before he could say anything else, throwing my phone against the couch cus**on with a yell. I took a few minutes to calm down, waiting for the regret and sadness to set in. But they didn’t. I was still just mad. I pushed my hands through my hair, letting out a frustrated cry when I ripped a few strands out. It had caught on the ring I was stil’ vearing.

I looked at it and again, waited for the regret to come. The only regret I felt was putting it on in the first place.

I took it off my finger and tossed it on the counter without looking back.

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