The Luna’s Choice (Theo and Ayla) by Kat Silver
Chapter 191

Chapter 191

Chapter 41: Theo

We left the room and I led the way down the hall. The guards were still stationed outside the separatecells. I hadn’t allowed the prisoners to see each other, but I at least made sure they were relativelytaken care of. It was one thing to deprive them of food, water, and sleep while questioning them. Buttorturing them when I didn’t have the time to deal with them wouldn’t allow them to break the command.

Besides, I didn’t want Avla to have to see them like that from the start. If she broke the command and itled to that at some point, so be it. But if she could get through this without having to break someone’smind, I would be grateful. It wasn’t something that was taken lightly. Even with a rogue, someone whowasn’t tethered to your own subconscious, the feeling of asserting that kind of dominance and forceleaves an impact I didn’t think she was ready for.

“This is the one I started questioning in Bonnerville,” I indicated. “I think Will spent a few moments withthe other one while we were away. He’ll be here tomorrow to help if we need it.”

“We can start with the one you’re familiar with,” Ayla said. “We know for sure that he’s under thecommand, so he must know something that would warrant it.”

“Randy was telling me about this command,” Kingston said. “It still seems strange for them to be usingit to keep information from us. It doesn’t really make sense.”

“That’s what I said,” Ayla agreed, shaking her head.

“It has probably worked incredibly well until now,” I replied. “There’s only one possible person whocould break the command. Add that that

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person either didn’t exist or likely didn’t know what they were capable of. They would have been prettyconfident their secrets were safe. Even if their men were captured, whatever they could get out of themwouldn’t lead back to the Waar Pak.”

“But if they really believed the Blessed One would appear, they would have known that this wouldn’tprotect them for long,” Kingston said. “And they know we’re aware they are looking for her.”

“Do they, though?‘ I asked. “They’ve been hunting Onyxcrown survivors for years. What’s to say theirattacks on you were anything other than that? The only reason they were brought to our attention wasbecause of Randy. He’s still feeding them false information.”

“We have to assume it’s the likelihood at this point,” Kingston said.

“Agreed.” I stated. I focused on Ayla, resting my hands on her arms. “I‘ Il be there the entire time if youneed help. But you’re running this. We’ll follow your lead.”

We’d been practicing her commands together, and she was a natural now that she was getting thehang of it. But interrogation was more than just commands.

She nodded for the guard to open the cell and I followed her inside. The rogue had been chained to thechair again. However, the smell wasn’t nearly as bad as it had been the first time we’d met. The sourscent of a rogue still hung in the air, but he was at least clean. He had a curious but nervous

expression as he watched Ayla take a seat in front of him. I took a position behind him while Kingstontook a spot in the corner.

They stared at each other for a few minutes. The rogue started to fidget under the weight of our energyfilling the cell. I could see Ayla’s mind ticking, her eyes a cool silver shining with intrigue. She was

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strategizing. Working out how to get what we needed.

“What’s your name?” she finally asked.

He didn’t respond. But Ayla just waited. Eventually, Kingston moved to say something, but Ayla liftedher hand to stop him.

“I think a name is a good place to start a conversation,” Ayla said. “You give me yours and I’ll give youmine.”

The rogue looked up at her, considering her proposal.

“Denny,” he spoke.

“Thank you, Denny,” she replied. “I’m Ayla. I’m going to ask you some questions. I’m hoping you cananswer them for me.”

Denny shifted uncomfortably in his chair but remained quiet.

“Why are you a rogue?” Ayla asked.

“What?” Denny responded in surprise.

“I was a rogue once,” she replied. “There’s a million reasons someone becomes a rogue. I’d like toknow yours.”

Denny looked between me and Kingston in confusion. “My father was turned rogue when I was a kidfor… causing my mother’s death. No one wanted to take me in. So, I went with him.”

“I’m sorry,” Ayla said genuinely. “That must have been really hard for you.”

He straightened in his chair. “It was better than an orphanage. At least as a rogue, I knew where I stoodand could fight for what I needed. Instead of relying on someone to take pity on me.”

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“Like fighting our villagers?”

Denny turned his head, not looking at her. Ayla nodded slightly. She was reading him.

“What pack were you from?” Ayla asked, moving on for now.

“Shadow Claw,” he replied quietly.

“I see,” she said. “I’m familiar with their reputation. I had a rather unpleasant encounter with their lastAlpha. I can understand feeling like you’re better off without a pack than with that one. And why youwould want to get as far away as possible. Is that how you ended up near our border?”

“We move around a lot,” Denny said.

“You and your father?”

Denny shook his head. “Rogues in general. My old man died a long time ago.”

“I’m sorry,” Ayla said.

“Don’t be,” he said. “He deserved what he got.”

“What about Bonnerville?” Ayla asked. “Do you think they got what they deserved? Why did you attackthem?”

Denny stilled. So far, Ayla had just been making conversation. But there was just a hint of her powerbehind the last question. He knew now that he had a choice to make. He could try to fight what wascoming but he wouldn’t be able to or he could tell her what she

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wanted to know. Ayla had made some kind of decision about him. She was calm and collected. Likeshe knew what the outcome would be.

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Chapter 41 Theo

Suddenly, Denny’s shoulders slumped. “We were ordered to.“