The Luna’s Choice (Theo and Ayla) by Kat Silver
Chapter 57

Chapter 57

Chapter 57: Ayla “Alpha Conner,” I said, attempting to keep my tone polite but not welcoming. “We were just headingback inside to join the others. I’m sure Alpha Kingston would allow you to join us there.” “Beautiful, no one ‘allows’ me to do anything,” he said, stepping close to me. “I’m an Alpha. I don’tanswer to anyone.” “Accept your pack, of course,” I replied. Alpha Conner let out a low chuckle. As Ms. Garner said,” Luna Grace interjected, “we were just heading back inside. So if you wouldexcuse us. We moved to push past him, but he grabbed my arm firmly. “Not so fast,” he said. “If you think my leadership is subject to anyone’s approval, perhaps it’s time youspent time with a real Alpha.” He reached up and ran a finger down my neck, sending shivers down myspine. “I’ll show what a true Alpha can do.” “Please let go of my arm.” “Alpha Conner, release her at once,” Luna Grace commanded, holding my hand. “Your behavior isdespicable.” I almost mind-linked Kingston, but I thought better of it. Alpha Conner hadn’t hurt me. Despite makingmy skin crawl, he hadn’t done anything to start a brawl over. And if Kingston saw this, there would be a brawl. I didn’t want that. Icould get out of this myself 0.00% 15:21 Chapter 57: Ayla 288 iVouchers “I don’t think so, Luna Grace,” Alpha Conner spat. “You are welcome to return to the festivities, but Ms.Garner and I are staying out here. It’ s my turn to have a private word.”

He pushed his aura out, trying to put a command behind his words. I could feel the weight of it buteasily pushed it back. “We will do no such thing, Alpha Conner,” I insisted. “Now let me go.” Standing my ground seemed to both impress and p*ss him off. His grip on my arm tightened painfully,and he yanked me toward him, throwing me against the outside wall, knocking the wind out of me. Hepositioned himself between Luna Grace and me, bearing his canines and growling as she moved toattack him. But she didn’t get the chance. A flash of movement ripped Alpha Conner off of me. I saw him fly briefly through the air before landinghard on his back, Kingston’s hand around his throat. Luna Grace was at my side in a second. So was Mina. “Ayla, are you alright?” Briggs asked urgently. Luna Grace must of mind-link him. “Don’t let Kingston kill him. Not here.” Three other males were already pulling Kingston off of Alpha Conner. When they pried him off, Connerwas coughing and spitting, but he was also laughing. “What’s wrong, Amvorov? Mad your woman decided to try her hand at a real Alpha?”“What did you just say?” Kingston said dangerously, his eyes flashing yellow as Lennix threatened tobreak free. “She came on to… ” He didn’t get the chance to finish the sentence before Kingston was throwing punches. Alpha Connerwent to block one, but Briggs grabbed his arm, and another Alpha held him back, letting Kingstoncontinue to beat him. It was five against one. Even though Alpha Conner was a vile ba**ard, the otherscouldn’t keep attacking him. Not at the Gathering. This was neutral ground. I saw Alpha Harden and many others heading in our direction. I feared what they would do to Kingston,Briggs, and the others. “Stop,” I yelled forcefully.

Everyone froze. All eyes were on me in a second. I don’t know how long they stood staring at me. It feltlike forever. However, it was probably only a few seconds. Alpha Harden was the first to react. “What is going on here?”“He f***ing attacked Ayla,” Kingston roared. Alpha Conner tried to speak, but it looked like his jaw was broken. His nose definitely was, and his eyewas already swelling badly. “We all saw it, Alpha Harden,” Briggs said, throwing Conner to the ground. “Ms. Garner refused his advances,” Luna Grace stated, her arm around my shoulder. “If I hadn’t beenhere, I believe he would have forced himself on her.” Alpha Harden approached me and gently lifted my arm, where a hand- shaped bruise was forming. Hisjaw clenched with anger. “Alpha Vincent, Alpha Gregory, take him to the security station and 43.57% 15:21 have the guards cuff him up and replace his Beta,” he ordered. “Alpha Kingston, I think it would be best ifyou brought Ms. Garner back to your suite.” Mina and Luna Grace stepped aside, allowing Kingston to pull me against him. He turned me towardthe banquet hall and guided me to our suite. I could feel everyone’s eyes still on us as we left. Once wewere in an empty hallway, he stopped and turned to me. “Are you okay?” he asked, his hands holding my face to look at him. I nodded. “I’m fine.” He looked at me for a second before he continued toward our room. He didn’t say anything else untilthe door closed behind us. “Why didn’t you tell me Alpha Conner was the one bothering you earlier today?” he asked angrily. “He’s the one you were talking about Vincent and Greg saving youfrom, wasn’t he? I never would have left your side had I known.” “First, I didn’t know he was capable of anything like that. So I didn’t want you to go after him for

nothing.” I said, annoyed by his attitude toward me. “And second, you can’t be my shadow twenty-four-seven, Kingston.” “I will if it keeps you safe,” he yelled. “You heard what Luna Grace said. She wasn’t wrong. He wouldhave assaulted you, Ayla.” “He could try,” I snapped. “Believe it or not, Kingston, I can take care of myself. Do you really think he’sthe first male who’s tried something like that?” Rage filled his eyes. “Ayla, did…” “They didn’t,” I insisted. “I learned how to defend myself a long time 66.49% 15:21 Chapter 57: Ayla 288 iVouchers ” ago.” He sighed heavily and pulled me into his arms. He held me tightly for a few moments. “I hate that you ever had to experience that,” he whispered. “I can’t take the memory away, but I canensure it doesn’t happen again.” I shook my head. “I’m not exactly glad I had to use those skills, but I am grateful to have learned thelesson that they were necessary. I’m not going to stop you from protecting me, Kingston. But you can’tkeep me in a bubble, either.” He didn’t say anything. Instead, he just held me until there was a knock on the door.