The Luna’s Choice by Kat Silver

Chapter 122: Ayla

“Kingston,” I said, trying to pull my hand away, but he held it tight. “What are you saying? Have you been hunting…”

“Waar Pak members?” he interrupted. “Of course. The bastards thought they could come back. They thought they could come into my territory and work under my nose. But he got careless. I caught his scent.”

“Who, Kingston?” I asked, getting more nervous. “Who got careless?”

“Grogan,” he said. “Arthur Grogan. The asshole was supposed to be dead. I saw your father kill him myself. But he must have survived and escaped.”

“Who is Grogan?”

“He’s one of the Waar Pak leaders,” Kingston clarified. “But it’s okay. He won’t get away this time. I’m closing in.” He tugged me against him. “And he led me to you. So I know we’ll prevail. It couldn’t mean anything else. My goddess came to me.”

Did he mean me? Was he talking about the tale?

“What goddess, Kingston? How did Grogan lead you to me?” I asked, trying to step away from him.

“The night we met,” I said. “I was following his scent when you came around that bend. That’s why I was in the road. But I wouldn’t have caught him. I wasn’t ready. I needed the goddess’s support. I needed you.”

I managed to push away from him. “So you did know about the

Blessed One,” I said, hurt filling my gut. “You did believe I was her from the start. And you didn’t tell me.”

“Ayla, you had to have known,” Kingston said, trying to reach for me again.

“How could I have known?” I yelled, dodging his embrace. “Did you know what would happen when we went to the Gathering? Did you know they would figure it out?”

Kingston froze, guilt filling his eyes before he looked away.

“Oh, my goddess,” I murmured. “You did. You bastard, you did.”

“I didn’t know Conner would act like that,” he insisted. “I didn’t mean for you to get hurt, Ayla.”

bait. You knew they would try to come for me. You used me to flush out whatever Waar Pak members you could. That’s why you’re hunting them

spat. “They need to be destroyed. That’s the only way we can bring our pack back. It’s the only

had been his plan all along. He was going to use me to reinstate the

won’t bring it

to me because we are the last Onyxcrown ranking members. The Alpha and Beta. Now, the Alpha and Luna.

I don’t, Kingston,” I said. “I’m not your mate. I belong

Kingston’s expression, quickly followed by rage. And I realized the mistake I had made. I started backing away

down. I’m just going to go, okay? You‘ re

again, Ayla,” Kingston growled. “This is our destiny.”

“No, Kingston, it’s not.‘

mouth was on mine before I knew what was happening. It

“Kingston…”

into choosing him,” Kingston rumbled. “I’ll show him how wrong

hold on me was hurting. He reached and started pulling my hair back. When he grabbed my chin, turning my head sharply, I

to mark

through me and tears formed in my eyes. I fought harder

strong. He couldn’t do this. I couldn’t let him do this. I

for the strength I needed.

“Stop,” I commanded.

I yanked my arm free, punching up against his jaw. I didn’t get enough leverage to break it but it did

me,”

cleared and realization of what just happened

“Ayla, I’m sor…”

Kingston. Leave me and

after me, and through the packhouse. I tore off the property and

call anyone. I just needed to get out of

I took some deep breaths as I picked up the phone I had just purchased. I was still too afraid to

Theo’s number. Praying he would pick

voice sounded. “Please, goddess, tell me this is you, baby.”

Theo, it’s me,” I rushed.