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.

bed, tucking me under the

love you, too,” I

you when we get there.” He kissed my forehead one

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

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

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 use this as an opportunity to continue taking the

her know I was home and that it had worn

sweats and plopped down on the couch to wait for her. I turned the TV on but wasn’t really paying attention as I tried

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her to

you feeling?” she asked, coming over

honestly. “Exhausted, but that’s about it. But I think that may be because I was fighting it so hard all

is

yes, and no,”

Theo didn’t

“There were still some lingering effects when I got back that he noticed and got a little worried

did,” Mina said, shaking

leave for a couple

told me,”

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

know, Ayla,” she said. “We

can get stronger before he gets back, then he won’t get so worried or suspicious,” I argued.

huffed, rubbing

“Please, Mina?”

“But you

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