The Luna’s Choice (Theo and Ayla) by Kat Silver
Chapter 122

Chapter 122

Chapter 122: Ayla

“Kingston,” I said, trying to pull my hand away, but he held it tight. “What are you saying? Have youbeen hunting…”

“Waar Pak members?” he interrupted. “Of course. The bastards thought they could come back. Theythought they could come into my territory and work under my nose. But he got careless. I caught hisscent.”

“Who, Kingston?” I asked, getting more nervous. “Who got careless?”

“Grogan,” he said. “Arthur Grogan. The asshole was supposed to be dead. I saw your father kill himmyself. But he must have survived and escaped.”

“Who is Grogan?”

“He’s one of the Waar Pak leaders,” Kingston clarified. “But it’s okay. He won’t get away this time. I’mclosing in.” He tugged me against him. “And he led me to you. So I know we’ll prevail. It couldn’t meananything else. My goddess came to me.”

Did he mean me? Was he talking about the tale?

“What goddess, Kingston? How did Grogan lead you to me?” I asked, trying to step away from him.

“The night we met,” I said. “I was following his scent when you came around that bend. That’s why Iwas in the road. But I wouldn’t have caught him. I wasn’t ready. I needed the goddess’s support. Ineeded you.”

I managed to push away from him. “So you did know about the

Blessed One,” I said, hurt filling my gut. “You did believe I was her from the start. And you didn’t tellme.”

“Ayla, you had to have known,” Kingston said, trying to reach for me again.

“How could I have known?” I yelled, dodging his embrace. “Did you know what would happen when wewent to the Gathering? Did you know they would figure it out?”

Kingston froze, guilt filling his eyes before he looked away.

“Oh, my goddess,” I murmured. “You did. You bastard, you did.”

“I didn’t know Conner would act like that,” he insisted. “I didn’t mean for you to get hurt, Ayla.”

“No,” I bellowed, “you just wanted to use me as bait. You knew they would try to come for me. You usedme to flush out whatever Waar Pak members you could. That’s why you’re hunting them down.”

“Of course I wanted to draw them out,” he spat. “They need to be destroyed. That’s the only way wecan bring our pack back. It’s the only way we can return to our land.”

My eyes went wide. This had been his plan all along. He was going to use me to reinstate theOnyxcrown Pack. To become their Alpha.

“Kingston, that will never happen,” I guaranteed. “The Onyxcrown Pack is dead. I won’t bring it back. AllI want is my father’s ring. Now give it to me.”

“No, no, that’s not how this is supposed to go,” he growled. “You came to me. You came to me becausewe are the last Onyxcrown ranking members. The Alpha and Beta. Now, the Alpha and Luna. Youbelong by my side, Ayla.

“No, I don’t, Kingston,” I said. “I’m not your mate. I belong with Theo.”

Devastation filled Kingston’s expression, quickly followed by rage. And I realized the mistake I hadmade. I started backing away toward the door.

“Kingston,” I said calmly, “calm down. I’m just going to go, okay? You‘ re not yourself right now.”

“You won’t leave me again, Ayla,” Kingston growled. “This is our destiny.”

I shook my head. “No, Kingston, it’s not.‘

I rushed for the door, but Kingston was too fast. He grabbed my arm hard and spun me around. Hismouth was on mine before I knew what was happening. It was painful and sickening. I pushed andpulled to get him off of me.

“Kingston…”

“He thinks he can trick you into choosing him,” Kingston rumbled. “I’ll show him how wrong he is.”

His hold on me was hurting. He reached and started pulling my hair back. When he grabbed my chin,turning my head sharply, I knew what he was planning.

He was going to mark me.

Terror ran through me and tears formed in my eyes. I fought harder but

he was too strong. He couldn’t do this. I couldn’t let him do this. I

searched for the strength I needed.

“Stop,” I commanded.

It was enough to make him pause. I yanked my arm free, punching up against his jaw. I didn’t getenough leverage to break it but it did knock him back a few steps.

“Don’t touch me,” I followed.

His rage cleared and realization of what just happened filled his face.

“Ayla, I’m sor…”

“Don’t follow me, Kingston. Leave me and Theo alone.”

I ran out of the apartment, Kingston calling after me, and through the packhouse. I tore off the propertyand drove in the direction of home.

I was too shaken to call anyone. I just needed to get out of Sablemane.

I was almost at my mother’s house before I finally allowed myself to stop and collect myself. I tooksome deep breaths as I picked up the phone I had just purchased. I was still too afraid to turn mine on.Kingston had tracked me before.

I dialed Theo’s number. Praying he would pick up.

“Ayla,” Theo’s panicked voice sounded. “Please, goddess, tell me this is you, baby.”

“Yes, Theo, it’s me,” I rushed.

“Thank the goddess,” he muttered. I could hear the utter relief in his voice. “You scared the fucking hellout of all of us.”

“I’m not going back with them, Theo,” I told him. “I’ve been taking care of myself for years. I have a sayin this, and I’m not leaving.”

“I know, sweetheart,” he replied. “Where are you? I’m coming to get you.”

“I’m almost to Ma’s,” I said. “Babe, I had to see Kingston first. I just wanted to get Dad’s ashes and ringback. I promise.”

“Shh, it’s okay, baby,” he assured me. “I know. I’m on my way. We were already out looking for you, soI’m not far.”

“Okay,” I said, pulling off the side of the road. “I’m getting Kylee and Ma. I don’t care if they hate meright now. I’m not leaving them out here on their own.”

“Harden has agreed to take them to the safe house as well,” Theo said. “If you think they’d prefer that.”

“I’ll let them decide,” I said.

“Did you get it back?”

“I got his ashes,” I said. “But Kingston… he’s not himself right now.”

“Ayla, what happened?” Theo demanded. “Did he hurt you?”

”

“No,” I lied. I didn’t need to start a war on top of everything else. “At least not physically. He’s not takingthe situation well.”

“It doesn’t matter,” Theo said. “I’m on my way, babe.”

I pulled into the driveway of my childhood home and my stomach dropped.

“Theo…”

He had to have heard the panic in my voice. “Ayla, is something wrong?”

“The door is open.”