The Luna’s Choice by Kat Silver

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Chapter 13: Theo

Once I was in my own bed, I fell into a restless sleep. I got up early and decided to go and see my parents. They had been spending more time at the lake house lately. It was where they planned to move permanently once I took over as Alpha, and it was good for Dad to be away from the bustle of the packhouse.

The lake house was about forty–five minutes away, and I made the drive as the sun was rising.

It was a beautiful drive. Roads weaving through the mountains, revealing idyllic scenes of forests and stone peaks overlooking the valleys below full of towns and cities.

I loved this drive. I took my time that morning, just enjoying the simplicity of life on that road.

But the lake house came into view, and I had to pull myself back to reality.

I parked the truck I had taken next to my mom’s SUV. She greeted me on the front porch as I approached the house. She must have already been up and saw me come up the drive.

“Theo, this is a pleasant surprise,” she said, opening her arms wide for an embrace.

I happily took it, wrapping my own arms around her delicate frame. My mother had always been a lot stronger than she looked. It was a trait I had always loved about her growing up.

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Chapter 13: Theo

It made her a force to be reckoned with. But it also made her approachable, which made others feel safe with her. It was a vital attribute for a great Luna.

“What are you doing here?” she asked as she pulled away, giving me a once–over. “You look tired. Is everything okay?”

I gave her a smile. “Everything is fine,” I lied. “I just missed you and Dad.”

“Well, a mother’s never going to argue with that,” she replied brightly.

She tucked her arm in mine and led me into the house. My dad was sitting on the couch in the living room reading a newspaper when we walked in. He looked up and his face lit up when he spotted me.

“Theo,” his big voice bellowed, “we weren’t expecting to see you until this weekend.”

He stood up as I approached, groaning slightly.

felt like coming up sooner. I wanted to check on you guys out here all

nice having your mother all

with a grimace but still

still… settling in?” Mom asked as she

fine,” I said tightly. “And as far as I know, Marie

Chapter 13: Theo

with the move.”

288 Vouchers

clapping his hand on my back. “Come on, son. Let’s go out on the porch and

deck chairs,

company.

feeling,

be expected, at least. Although, I felt

do you mean?” I

shook his head. “It’s probably nothing. Just

tell me, Dad,” I assured

like

choked on my coffee. “You lost someone?”

was a tether breaking,” he said, rubbing his chest

blood drain from

out whose it was. And to be honest, I’ve been having trouble separating them lately. So it was probably nothing,” he said,

it wasn’t

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Chapter 13: Theo

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telling him something. I waited for him to say something, but he didn’t.

I need to tell

doesn’t sound good,” Mom said as she came outside just as I said the words. “Theo, what’s

thought he lost someone the other day. A pack member,”

that. He was confused for a while after

I was ready to tell them,

between a pack member dying and a tether being broken. He knew someone had gone

“Son, did you…”

head. “No,

all Dad could say

“Ayla Garner.”

“Oh, no,” Mom whispered.