The Luna’s Choice by Kat Silver

|||

O

Chapter 20: Ayla

Instead of returning to the room, I made my way toward the back of the house. Floor-to-ceiling windows lined a large portion of the lodge and looked out into a beautiful, wooded area. I found the back door and let myself out.

The porch was huge. The house was built on an incline, so this deck sat about ten feet from the ground. I hobbled my way to the stairs. It wasn’t pretty, but I managed to make it down them to the bottom. I swung myself through the yard, plopping on the ground not far from the tree line.

I wanted to run. To shift into my wolf and disconnect from the world. But I still couldn’t sense Dasha. Even if I could, I wouldn’t try to bring her back yet. The ache in my chest reminded me why she needed time.

I caught Kingston’s scent as he approached me, sitting on the grass beside me.

“Are you okay,” he asked.

I grinned. “Yeah, I’m okay.”

“Did he upset you?”

I chuckled softly. “No, he didn’t upset me. He actually seemed nice. I’m kind of sad I won’t get a chance to know him better.”

We sat in silence for a while. It was a beautiful morning. The sky was so bright and clear that I could see far into the trees. The ground continued a slow and shallow descent, and I could see a lake off in the distance. It reminded me of my little

။

O

pond.

“I miss Dasha,” I finally said.

“Can you sense her at all?” Kingston asked.

I shook my head. “She needs time.”

“What about you? How are you feeling about everything?”

loss of my family. I’m frustrated that I can’t heal and will be stuck like this for months. And I really want to go for a run. But I’m dealing, and I’m ready to push forward.

away,” Kingston said. “But I will do whatever I can to help

furrowed. I hadn’t wanted to say anything to him, mostly because I thought I was going

“you do

sat up straight next to me. “What do you

that crept up my cheeks. “I don’t know why, but whenever I’m

back down, his legs stretched on either side of me and his arms going around my middle. I wasn’t expecting that, but I smiled as he pulled me against his

2/5

။

0

<

it helps,” he whispered, “then I’ll

the time,” I teased. “I doubt your pack would appreciate you going

laughed gently. “Perhaps, but I’ll be here

fade away. I let his scent engulf me. Even sitting next to an actual forest, I could distinguish his

think this will

D

I said solemnly. “I doubt

do you say

I made her accept the rejection in the first place. She loves Kylee and Evie as much as I do, but she didn’t agree that saving her from

your reasons. She knows you meant well. And

realized that was who we gave up our mate for, she couldn’t take it. But in the end, I was the one who made her do it. I was the one who didn’t fight for them. And

of who Kylee turned out to be, it doesn’t make your sacrifice

still thinks it was all for

|||

O

<

298 Vouchers

“She’ll come around.”

“I hope so.”

again. This time it was Kingston who

you feeling better?”

with a

this mean you’ll stay

any better offers,” I

squeezed me, kissing the top of