The Luna’s Choice (Theo and Ayla) by Kat Silver
Chapter 262

Chapter 262: Finley

It may have been a stupid move to kiss Kylee with the emotional state she was in, but I didn’t regret it.It was hard to walk away, but I had a job to do. And protecting my Alpha and Luna was more importantat the moment than convincing my tentative mate that I wasn’t going anywhere.

I rejoined the group just as two cars pulled up beside ours. Luna Ayla greeted them kindly and acted asif nothing was wrong, but I could tell she was still on edge over the phone call we had overheard. Sowas Kylee. She was sticking close to her sister with dedication.

It wasn’t until we were starting to load back into the vehicles. that Kylee left her side. She opted to ridein the car with Sister Mona and her companion and guard. It hurt, but I would give her the space. Shewasn’t wrong that we needed to focus on the solstice ceremony first. And it would be less of adistraction not having her so close to me while I tried to get a read on the situation with Luna Ayla andAlpha Kingston.

We loaded into the SUV and started on our way back to the packhouse. Luna Ayla continued to checkher phone. nervously. I was working out how to approach her privately once we were home when AlphaTheo addressed her discomfort.

“What’s up, babe?” he asked casually.

She sighed heavily. “Kingston isn’t going to be here tonight,” she said worriedly.

L

I noticed Alpha Theo tense slightly. “What happened?”

“He said nothing has happened,” she explained, “but he’s worried something will. He found out thatGrogan’s men have. been watching the place where he hid the Moonstone. He hasn’t been able to

retrieve it yet.”

“You’re kidding,” Gamma Jimmy hissed from the driver’s seat. “He’s cutting this pretty damn close.”

“He insisted he would have it tonight,” Luna Ayla informed us. “Him and Pierce have come up with asting operation to get the men watching the place while he gets it. I told him it sounded like a trap.”

“Which I’m sure he also realizes,” Alpha Theo said, surprisingly calmly. He pulled out his phone anddialed a number. “Briggs, I need you to send a team of warriors to the Sablemane packhouse. Theyneed to be on the road within the hour.” He paused for a reply. “I’ll explain when we get there.”

He hung up. Despite his calm exterior, I noticed him squeeze Luna Ayla’s hand for support. Somethingwas still off. He must have thought so too.

“This wasn’t an unexpected possibility,” he said to her. “There‘ s something else that’s bothering you.”

She chewed on her lip and nodded slightly. “He sounded weird,” she replied. “I don’t know. I don’t thinkhe was telling me everything.”

“Is sending a team going to cause issues?” I inquired curiously. I knew the relationship between thepacks was complicated. “I understand the urgency but if he thinks we’re over–stepping, would he holdthe stone hostage?”

Chapter 262 Finley

“No,” Luna Ayla said confidently. “That isn’t something het would do.”

Alpha Theo glanced at me briefly. I don’t think he was as sure

as the Luna was.

“I think sending help will be good,” Luna Ayla said, almost trying to convince herself: “It’s probably justthe anticipation that’s making me crazy.”

‘Can you reach out to Bonnerville when we get back,‘ Alpha Theo linked me. ‘I want to know what kindof activity they’ve been seeing the last few days.‘

‘Yeah, I’ll call first thing,‘ I replied. ‘I spoke to my replacement last week and he said they noticed somemovement across the border. But nothing directed at our territory.‘

‘That’s what I’m worried about,‘ Alpha replied.

The rest of the drive back was uneventful. The Luna’s demeanor eventually shifted back to her normaloptimistic state and she was ready to greet our guests. She had arranged to have dinner ready foreveryone as soon as we got back to welcome Alpha Harden and Alpha Weston, who had arrived whilewe were out, as well as Alpha Anthony, who had followed us back. She went straight into her Luna roleonce we got out of the SUV.

I couldn’t help but notice Kylee sneaking off by herself. Escaping into the packhouse. I was nearlytempted to follow after until Beta Briggs approached.

‘Come with us,‘ he linked, giving me a serious look.

Alpha Theo excused himself from the others and allowed Luna Ayla to lead them away. We headedstraight across the property to the house with the cellar entrance. Zeff was expecting us because hewas at the door to let us in.

“What’s going on?” I asked once we were inside.

“I called Beta Pierce after I dispatched the warriors,” Beta Briggs informed us. “When I mentioned theirplan to retrieve the stone tonight, I believe I caught him off guard. I asked him how the search forGrogan was going and he said they hadn’t had any luck up until now. I don’t think they had beenlooking that much.”

“We took out the leader of the Waar Pak,” I pointed out. “He likely went to ground.”

“That is likely the case,” Alpha Theo said. “But Alpha Kingston wouldn’t just let it go. There issomething suspicious going on. While I don’t think he would outright betray us, I want every precautiontaken. We need to increase our patrols along the Sablemane border.”

“I’ve got that working,” Gamma Jimmy said.

“I’ll push our patrols, as well,” I added.

“Good,” Alpha Theo said.

“Is there anything I can do?” Zeff asked.

“You can help keep Ayla occupied. I don’t want to worry her any more than she already is,” Alphareplied. “This may be nothing, but I want us looking into any possible threat.”

We left the house and headed back to the packhouse. I

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pts 262. Finley

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veered away from the others once we were inside. The tense atmosphere made it impossible not tomake sure my mate was safe.

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