The Luna’s Choice by Kat Silver

r

Chapter 3 Ayla

288 Vouchers

Chapter 3: Ayla

I woke up to the first rays of sunshine heating my naked body. I was grateful for the warm night of mid–summer. Otherwise, I probably wouldn’t have made it through the night in my human form. My wolf still hadn’t re–emerged, and I couldn’t say I blamed her. The prospect of seeing Theo again this morning was hard enough for me. Dasha wouldn’t be able to handle sensing his wolf again. She had told me he wasn’t happy about the rejection.

But it had to be done.

And we had to accept it.

I wasn’t going to break Kylee’s heart like that. Especially if he actually loved her that much.

She would be happy. And I had to find a way to make that enough.

I sat up and looked out at the reflective pool. I stood up and I walked into the water. I submerged myself completely, washing my body clean of Theo, the mate bond, and every dream of finding my soulmate.

The ritual wasn’t new to me. I did this after my father died. I came here to wash away the grief. And when my mother started to fall apart. When she started drinking heavier and gambling and I realized we were running out of the money Dad had left us. I had to make some tough decisions to keep the family going. Once I made them, I came back here to forget the person I was. So I could be who my family needed

|||

Chapter 3 Ayla

me to be.

1288 (Vouchers

I came here to wash away all of the what–ifs and what–could- have-beens.

When I emerged, I started the long walk back home.

When I made it back to the house, I could hear the faint sound

of voices coming from inside. They had already arrived. I quickly collected my clothes from the lawn, putting them back on before heading inside.

I had to pause when I opened the door, bracing myself against the intoxicating scent that belonged to Theo. I had hoped the effects would have lessoned by now since we broke our bond, but I wasn’t that lucky. But again, I shook off the feeling and prepared to push through this like everything was normal.

I walked through the kitchen and into the living room, where, again, I found Theo alone. I could hear Ma and Kylee down the hall, and I prayed they would be out soon. Theo’s hands clenched when his eyes met mine. It wasn’t hard to read the look of disgust he held in them.

I failed to hide the hitch in my breath, but I still managed to raise my chin. I wasn’t about to let him see how he still affected me. Just a few more minutes and we would both be rid of each other, at least for a little while. Hopefully, it would be enough time for the bond to dissipate and free us of all this.

“There you are,” Kylee’s voice rang down the hall.

I turned to her with a smile, returning her hug as she wrapped

her arms around me. I held on for a minute, letting her

2/6

|||

Chapter 3: Ayla

proximity calm me.

been? Why is your hair

18288 Vouchers

out again last night,” Ma said with

stop myself

I just went for

night?” she said

know? You were passed out drunk. I cleared my throat

you guys need to get on the road,” I said, smiling down at Kylee as I rubbed her arms. Looking at the face

see you soon. Come up whenever you’re

love you,” I

“I love you.”

turned to my mother, taking

care of

let’s get going,” Theo

out, closing the

Chapter 3: Ayla

288 Vouchers

down. I sank to my knees, begging the goddess to just let it all go away, just for

without seeing. I didn’t even know Zeff was there until I felt him

he asked, brushing hair out of my face, forcing me to look at

said, the corner of my mouth

and concern

was the only person who knew everything I went through. And here he was, listening to me tell him about meeting Theo, the mating ceremony, and my rejection. Why couldn’t he

me up. “You’re coming

protest. The goddess had given me this one little blessing. I was numb. Zeff held me up by my waist and led me out to his car. He tucked me into the passenger seat and disappeared into the house again, only to emerge a few minutes later with a duffel bag in

house. Just like before, he helped

ΔΗ

|||

Chapter 3 Ayla

288 Vouchers

time on this couch, watching movies, talking about books, brainstorming ideas for

now.

He cursed as he pulled it out,

to take this.

Alone again, I pulled my feet up onto the couch, tucking them into my chest as I

time to snap out of it. I needed

someone like Theo. He paused, giving me a look. He

myself relax some. This was the first thing since Theo walked into my life that felt normal, felt comfortable. He leaned his head

get my laptop?”

5/8

Chapter 3 Ayla

28H (Voucheru

we’re not going to worry about

the duffel bag he left by the