The Luna’s Choice by Kat Silver

hapter 16: Ayla

Theo picked me up and carried me to our bedroom. He laid me on the bed and snuggled up beside me.

“I can’t stay much longer,” he whispered against my hair.

“I know,” I said, hugging him closer to me. “Just be careful, please.”

“I will. I promise,” he told me.

“And you better be back in time for the ceremony,” I insisted. “Mina will kill you if Briggs is late.”

“That’s why he’s not coming with me,” Theo said. “I’m taking my cousin, William.”

“Ah, yes, the mysterious cousin I haven’t met yet,” I teased. “Can I trust him to keep you safe?”

“Definitely,” Theo said confidently. “And you’ll get to meet him when we get back. He and his mate, Beth, were attending the mating ceremony this weekend anyway.”

“Good.”

Theo kissed my forehead. “I have to go, babe.”

“Okay,” I replied. I looked up at my mate. I held his face as I kissed him firmly. “Please, please, be careful. I love you. I can’t lose you.”

“I promise I’ll be back before you know it,” he assured me. “You just worry about taking care of yourself, love.”

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I nodded.

tucking me under the

you,

you when we get there.” He kissed my forehead one more time before leaving the

kept me awake. Guilt and relief. For a few minutes, I thought I would have to confess to Theo about the wolfsbane. I was still feeling its effects when I got back. Even as I lay there, I could

I had managed to somehow keep it hidden from everyone else. Jimmy was suspicious after a dizzy spell on the way to class, but

upset that we have been attacked again. Our pack hadn’t experienced these kinds of attacks in my living memory. The fact that rogues were coming at our border was concerning for everyone. I was worried about Theo being down there so close to them. But I also knew he needed to be there. So, at least, I could

dragged myself out of bed and went back to the living room to find my phone. I texted Mina to let her know I was home and that it had worn off. She messaged back to say she would be up to

on the couch to wait for her. I turned the TV on but wasn’t really paying attention as I tried to stay awake.

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to

how are you feeling?” she asked, coming over to sit by

actually,” I said honestly. “Exhausted, but that’s about it. But I think that may

is

and no,” I

Theo didn’t suspect

lingering effects when I got back that he noticed and got a

you did,” Mina said,

for a

me,” she

you think we could do another dose this evening?” I asked. “Then I could

Ayla,” she said.

gets back, then he won’t get so worried or suspicious,” I argued. “Plus, the sooner I get through this,

huffed, rubbing

“Please, Mina?”

“But you

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