The Luna’s Choice (Theo and Ayla) by Kat Silver
Chapter 64

Chapter 64

Chapter 64: Ayla My mind had been racing since I left the Sablemane packhouse. I felt lost and I didn’t know why. I keptfiddling with the ring on my finger as I drove. It felt foreign on my hand. It was beautiful. And it told methat a good man loved and wanted me. That made me happy. But there was still something missing. I shook off the feeling as the city came into view. I would have plenty of time to work through myrelationship with Kington. Right now, I was heading to meet Mina for lunch. She was so excited when Itold her I was coming. She had recently started a new job, and she and Briggs were in the process ofmoving into their new apartments in the packhouse. They still hadn’t settled on a date for their mating ceremony, but she hoped I would help her start the planning. We were meeting at a diner on the outer limits of the city. My GPS led/ me to the parking lot, and Ifound a spot near the entrance. She was already sitting in a booth when I walked in. “I’m so excited you’re here,” Mina said as we hugged each other. “Me too,” I replied. We took our seats as a server came over. I checked the menu quickly SO WA could place our food order. When the server walked away, Mina turned to me. “So, how does it feel being back in Greytooth territory?” she asked. “It’s bittersweet,” I said. “I called Zeff on my way. He was out of town, but he promised he’d come up tosee me when he got back. That will be nice. I’ve missed him.” 0.00% 15:24 “Did you drive by the house?” I shook my head. “No, I’ll go on my way back. I’m not sure I want Ma and Kylee to know I’m in theterritory,” I said. “At least not yet. There’s too much going on right now to deal with all that.” I ran my hand through my hair.

“What the hell is that?” Mina exclaimed, practically launching herself over the table to grab my wrist.“Holy cr*p, Ayla. Kingston purposed?” I pulled my hand away and smiled. “Kind of. He wanted it to be something to remind me of what waswaiting for me when I got back.” “That’s so sweet,” Mina said. “So, does that mean he wants to make your relationship official?” I took a deep breath. “Yeah, he wants me to be Luna.” “Ayla, that’s amazing,” Mina said, but her smile faded. “So why don’t you seem more excited?” I sighed, dropping my face in my hands. “Is it that obvious?” “Maybe not to someone who isn’t family,” she said, nudging my arm. “Come on, Ayla. Spill. What’s up?” “Kingston is great,” I pushed. “I should be ecstatic…” “But…?” “But things have changed since the Gathering,” I told her. “Kingston refuses to leave my side andkeeps me from doing anything. He doesn’t tell me anything about what is going on in the pack. Noteven the day- to-day stuff he deals with. I don’t know how he expects me to contribute as a Luna whenI don’t know anything about running the 123.13% 15:24 pack.” “Well, he’s okay with you being here, so that says a lot,” Mina stated. “Only because I didn’t give him a choice,” I said, flopping back against the booth. “I mentioned LunaGrace’s offer just to discuss it, and he freaked out. He tried to tell me I couldn’t go. Like I needed hispermission.” “Oof, that wasn’t a good idea,” Mina mumbled. “Yeah, well, that conversation didn’t end too well,” I continued. “It’s just the way he’s been acting. It’slike he doesn’t know me at all. I told him I needed a break.”

“Whoa, what?” Mina said. “Like, you broke up with him?” “No, no, not break up,” I clarified. “Just take a break from each other. I needed to not have himconstantly shadowing me. He doesn’t seem to understand that I can take care of myself. I think thedistance will be good for us.” “So, his response to you telling him you needed space was to propose to you?” Mina said, there wasdisapproval in her voice. “Mina, it’s okay,” I said. “I wasn’t ending things. I just needed. something that would show him we canhave some balance in the relationship. He just wants to know I’ll come back to him.” “Do you want to?” Mina asked. “Yes,” I assured her. “Okay then,” she said with a gentle smile. “You’ll get what you need for Alpha Torin and be back toKingston in no time. Just don’t forget to schedule some time in there for me.” 44.43% 15:24 ter 64: Ayia 288 iVouchers “Never,” I assured her. “So, how are you feeling about the move?” “I’m pretty good, actually,” she said brightly. “It was hard at first. I’d built a life in the Wildtail pack. Butultimately, this is my home. My roots are here, and I’m happy to be back. It doesn’t hurt to have anamazing mate like Briggs to support me, either. Oh, you’ll never guess who works in the packhouse.” “Who?” “Annabell,” Mina said. “She’s one of the head chefs in the commissary.” “No way,” I reacted excitedly. Annabell was a neighbor of ours growing up. She was the same age as Mina. She moved away abouta year before my dad’s death, and with everything life threw at me, we lost touch. It would be amazingto reconnect with her. “Yeah, it’s been really nice having her so close. She’s been a big help.”

“And what about your new job?” I asked. “Are you liking that?” Mina had gotten her degree in criminology and forensics. She had been given a position with the localpolice department in the forensics processing lab. I was glad to hear she had found something in herfield. That doesn’t always happen when a mate joins a new pack. “It’s amazing,” she said. “I’m probably getting some special treatment because I’m the pack Beta’smate, but I won’t lie, I’m enjoying it. I won’ t let it continue down the line, of course. But it’s nice as I getsettled in.” “I can’t blame you one bit,” I giggled. 65.90% 15:24 Chapter 64: Ayla 288 (Vouchers “They have me helping on a cross-pack case right now, actually,” she said. “I’m stuck looking over a tonof files found in a suspect’s rental property. They come from several other packs, including theWildtails. That’s part of what got me on the case.” “What is the person suspected of?” “Setting the local library on fire and killing one of the employees,” she said. “It appears he was alsobehind similar attacks in the other packs where the files came from.” “Is he looking for something?” I asked, understanding how serious the case was. “That’s our assumption, but we have no idea what,” Mina confirmed. “That’s why we’re going througheverything with a fine-toothed comb But enough about that, I want to talk ceremony planning.” I laughed. “Absolutely.” 87.90%