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.”

they would try to come for me. You used me to flush out whatever Waar Pak

spat. “They need to be destroyed. That’s the only way

was going to use me

is dead. I won’t bring it back. All I

how this is supposed to go,” he growled. “You came to me. You came to me because we are the last

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

quickly followed by rage. And I realized the mistake I had made. I started backing away toward the

said calmly, “calm down. I’m just going to

Ayla,” Kingston growled. “This

shook my head. “No, Kingston, it’s not.‘

for the door, but Kingston was too fast. He grabbed my arm hard and spun me around. His mouth was on mine before I knew what was happening. It was painful and sickening. I

“Kingston…”

you into choosing him,” Kingston

my hair back. When

was going to

and tears formed in my eyes. I fought harder but

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

strength I

“Stop,” I commanded.

I didn’t

touch me,”

cleared and realization of what just happened

“Ayla, I’m sor…”

Kingston. Leave me and

apartment, Kingston calling after me, and through the packhouse. I tore off the property and drove in the direction of home.

to call anyone. I

as I picked up

dialed Theo’s number. Praying he would pick up.

“Please, goddess, tell me this

it’s me,”