The Luna’s Choice (Theo and Ayla) by Kat Silver
Chapter 216

Chapter 216

Chapter 66: Theo

“Gentlemen,” I said as we gathered in the conference room late that afternoon. “I’m grateful for yourattendance here today. I understand that this threat is primarily to my pack.”

“They have been targeting our pack members for too long as well,” Alpha Harden assured me.

“I’m glad to have you all on my side,” I said. “I hope to return the favor down the road. For now, I needyour help. The Waar P ak Society has become more aggressive. While the attacks on our borders havebeen controlled, we have found they have been spreading their beliefs among my pack members.Recruiting people to their ideals.”

“We have evidence of that happening in Sablemane, too,’ Kingston offered. “Ga mma Lou has beenworking on stopping the spread.”

“Yes, well, unfortunately, they got to the sheriff here in the city before we could,” I said, hiding mybitterness and shame better than I thought I would. “I have someone coming up to replace him. Heshould be joining us soon.”

With perfect timing, there was a knock on the door and McCabe entered the conference room.

“Sorry I’m late,” he said, moving to stand in the back of the

room.

“Don’t be,” I said, waving him to a chair at the table with the rest of us. “Have a seat. I was just tellingthem that you would

be the acting sheriff while Hawkins is on suspension. Gentlemen, this is Finley McCabe, the sheriff ofone of our southern border towns. He’s been running the task force that has stemmed the rogue

attacks.”

The others nodded their greetings but didn’t make any further introductions at that time. We needed toget down to business.

“Okay,” I continued. “McCabe, Jimmy, and I will be working with the former sheriff to replace whatevercontacts are working on recruiting. Alpha Kingston, I’d like for you to take over the rogue issue. Ourcaptive is still here. You may be able to get more information from him than we could.” I looked him inthe eye. “I no longer care about the means in which that is accomplished.”

He nodded once, understanding my meaning completely.

“Alpha Cooper, there is some new information we just

discovered about a business associate of mine. It seems Delta Anderson of the Moonshadow Packmay be connected to the Waar P ak.”

Both Alpha Cooper and Alpha Harden perked up at that

statement.

“We have a list of suspected ranking members in several packs,” Cooper said. “The Moonshadow Packis high on our list. This is helpful information, and not surprising. It shouldn’t take us long to confirm hisinvolvement.”

“You have no idea how good it is to hear that,” I stated. “Alpha Harden, I have a more delicate task Ineed your help.”

“You know I’ll do what I can.” he replied genuinely.

“Alpha Vincent is on his way,” I said. “He’ll be here tomorrow. He doesn’t know what this meeting will beregarding. I would like you to be with me when we have the discussion. Alpha Kingston as well, if hecan spare the time.”

“I’ll be here for a while it seems,” Kingston replied. “The more Alphas we can get on our side, the better.And I would suggest that you have Ayla present at this meeting. They will be fighting to protect her,after all.”

“We both agree with you on that,” I said. “She will be there. If there is any other information any of youcan provide that may be helpful, it would be greatly appreciated. For now, I will let you all rest andprepare yourselves. We have set up a private dining room for you in the café downstairs. Please feelfree to utilize it whenever you like.”

Everyone stood to leave but I held Kingston back with me. -needed to have a one-on-one with him. Isat back down at the

head of the conference table and motioned for him to sit to my right. I wanted him close enough to lookme in the eye.

“So, are you ready to tell me about the Moonstone?” I asked, keeping my tone as flat as possible.

Kingston’s expression stayed the same, but I didn’t miss the flash in his eyes that said I got some kindof reaction.

“I retrieved it from the vault in the Onyxcrown tunnels,” he said. “Yes, I knew it was down there. Yes, Ipursued it while Ayla was still in danger. But if you hadn’t been there, I wouldn’ t have taken that risk.And, truth be told, I wasn’t exactly in my right mind at the time. It was a mistake in judgment I carryheavily. I understand Ayla will think of me what she will for that. I accept that consequence because Ideserve it, not

necessarily because I would make the same choice again.”

I regarded him for a few moments. I knew he had been deeply affected by Ayla when they weretogether. We know now it was because they were not mates. That was painful enough to accept. Itwouldn’t help either of them for me to hold this against him any longer.

“That’s something you’ll have to address with Ayla,” I said calmly. “My concern now is with theMoonstone and what it can do. Your family was its main protector. That’s how you knew where it wasand how to get it. My question is why? What were you planning to do with it?”

Kingston averted his gaze for a moment, not meeting my

eyes.

“I won’t pretend that my original plans didn’t revolve around getting Ayla back,” he said heavily. “And Iwon’t lie and say that it’s not still a temptation. But I do accept that that would not be what’s best forAyla. She’s happy with you. Whether I agree with that or not, it is à fact. So, I have hidden itsomewhere safe.”

“Can it be used to help us now?” I asked.

“I’m not sure,” Kingston said. “Truthfully, we were only its protectors. But I have been researching, and Ibelieve it is possible. But I think Ayla is the only one who could successfully wield its power. It’s tied toher bloodline.”

“Or perhaps the oldest bloodlines,” I said thoughtfully. “There’ s something you should know about myfamily.”