The Luna’s Choice by Kat Silver

Chapter 21: Theo

“Everything okay?” Will asked.

I had shot out of bed in a panic when Ayla’s pain woke me up. I ended up knocking the clock off the nightstand as I searched for my phone, so Will was up with me now.

I nodded. “Yeah, she’s fine,” I told him. “Just tripped.”

I ran my hands over my face. I should have tried to get some more sleep, but I was wide awake. So, that wasn’t going to happen. Especially since I could still feel the sting of Ayla’s injury. The pain wasn’t bad, but it was just another reminder that I wasn’t there with her.

I headed to the bathroom to take a cool shower. I might as well get back to the station to get this over with. When I got out, Will was on the phone with Beth and the kids. I had felt guilty about keeping my distance as long as I had, but that guilt lessened every time I heard him on the phone. He may have felt hurt, but when I thought about my complicated life and relationship, I couldn’t feel bad for not dragging him into it all. I just hoped that he would be able to go back to his life after this trip.

I got dressed and grabbed my wallet and keys as Will got off the phone.

“You get cleaned up. I’ll grab us something to eat,” I told him as I headed for the door.

There was a diner a few doors down from the hotel. I pulled up and went in to order something to go. I sat at the counter and grabbed a

menu. A waitress came over with a bright smile and was entirely too perky for me to handle today.

“Hey, there,” she greeted me. “My name is Maddi. What can I get for you today?”

I gave her the food order, letting her know it was to go.

“Aw, that’s too bad,” she said. “You sure you don’t want this for here? I would love the company.”

trying to remain polite.

“Will do.”

I knew she was probably in class by now, so it was a pleasant surprise when she messaged me back right

here before,” the waitress said as she leaned on the counter in

small talk she was trying to make. There were other customers she

a good time while you’re here,” she said, her finger trailing along the back of

rumbled in my chest. I snapped my hand away, appalled that she

like that,” Maddi

for.” I ground out, pointing to the mark

she here?” Her hand

fists clenched as my aura

room.

turned to see Sheriff McCabe approaching. “Get back to work. Go check the

went wide, looking back at

another word. McCabe

he said. “I hope you can forgive our town floozy. She

let it go this time. If only because this town has been

if she was. Crossing our Luna may not be the stupidest thing she’s

a to–go cup of coffee. She shot McCabe a dirty look and aggressively set the paper cup in front of him. She gave me a tight smile as she set the bag

but was cut off. “It’s the least she can do for

course,” she replied shortly, escaping quickly back to the

and turned to me. “You heading to

have to swing by the hotel