The Luna’s Choice by Kat Silver

Chapter 82: Theo

I sat next to the hospital bed gripping Ayla’s hand, praying she would wake up but also wanting to keep her in this state of peace a little longer. I focused on the rhythmic sound of the machines so I could hold on to the numb feeling that held the storm inside me at bay.

What was I going to say? How would I tell her?

I felt Ayla’s hand twitch and knew I would have to figure that out soon. Slowly, she regained consciousness, her eyes flickering open, and immediately, her gaze met mine. I forced the knot in my throat back in order to speak.

“Hey, love,” was all I could manage.

I could see the thoughts working through Ayla’s mind and it wasn’t long before I knew I wouldn’t have to tell her anything.

She knew.

We had lost our pup.

Her eyes filled with tears and her chest rose and fell quickly, but her face remained stoic. It was like watching the wall she had built up when we had first met snap back into place. I moved to pull her into my arms but she pulled away. Ripping her hand from mine. I reached for her again but she pushed me away forcefully, rolling to her side without a word.

I was frozen.

She was breaking and she wouldn’t even let me touch her. To make it worse, she had completely blocked our connection. I couldn’t feel her

through our bond. I pushed my heartbreak back. She would need time. I would be here for her in any way I could. It was all I had.

“I…” I swallowed hard to keep my voice calm and steady. “I’ll get the doctor.”

I refrained from trying to reach out to her again and turned from the bed. I found a nurse and let her know that Ayla was awake. She paged the doctor and then went in to check Ayla’s vitals. I wanted to go back in the room so bad it hurt, but I didn’t think I could keep myself from holding my mate. So I waited just outside the door until Dr. Athens arrived.

The nurse came out just as he met me.

said. “However, it’s hard to tell how stable

nodded. “Thank you, Jackie.” The nurse left and the doctor looked back at me with a

did you find?” I

to Ayla’s room. “Perhaps

a moment, bracing myself for Ayla’s coldness, but followed the doctor inside. She was still laying with her back to

Athens. I’ve been overseeing your care.

pushed herself up a little farther in the

But still not at

“You had suffered a lot

Ayla said

doctor nodded his head. “We have run some tests

next to the bed. Needing to be close to

of wolfsbane in your

“What?” I hissed.

at all,” Dr.

wolfsbane,” Ayla said

snapped to her. “Baby, what are you

she faltered. “After Harry, I didn’t want to be at risk like that again.

the doctor commented

reckless without telling me but that only

It didn’t matter now.

from my thoughts, “in any case, we are

of the pack. I’ll give

Doctor,” I

still wouldn’t look at me after he left. I slowly reached my hand out to brush her arm. She tensed and shied