The Luna’s Choice by Kat Silver

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Chapter 3 Ayla

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Chapter 3: Ayla

I woke up to the first rays of sunshine heating my naked body. I was grateful for the warm night of mid–summer. Otherwise, I probably wouldn’t have made it through the night in my human form. My wolf still hadn’t re–emerged, and I couldn’t say I blamed her. The prospect of seeing Theo again this morning was hard enough for me. Dasha wouldn’t be able to handle sensing his wolf again. She had told me he wasn’t happy about the rejection.

But it had to be done.

And we had to accept it.

I wasn’t going to break Kylee’s heart like that. Especially if he actually loved her that much.

She would be happy. And I had to find a way to make that enough.

I sat up and looked out at the reflective pool. I stood up and I walked into the water. I submerged myself completely, washing my body clean of Theo, the mate bond, and every dream of finding my soulmate.

The ritual wasn’t new to me. I did this after my father died. I came here to wash away the grief. And when my mother started to fall apart. When she started drinking heavier and gambling and I realized we were running out of the money Dad had left us. I had to make some tough decisions to keep the family going. Once I made them, I came back here to forget the person I was. So I could be who my family needed

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Chapter 3 Ayla

me to be.

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I came here to wash away all of the what–ifs and what–could- have-beens.

When I emerged, I started the long walk back home.

When I made it back to the house, I could hear the faint sound

of voices coming from inside. They had already arrived. I quickly collected my clothes from the lawn, putting them back on before heading inside.

I had to pause when I opened the door, bracing myself against the intoxicating scent that belonged to Theo. I had hoped the effects would have lessoned by now since we broke our bond, but I wasn’t that lucky. But again, I shook off the feeling and prepared to push through this like everything was normal.

I walked through the kitchen and into the living room, where, again, I found Theo alone. I could hear Ma and Kylee down the hall, and I prayed they would be out soon. Theo’s hands clenched when his eyes met mine. It wasn’t hard to read the look of disgust he held in them.

I failed to hide the hitch in my breath, but I still managed to raise my chin. I wasn’t about to let him see how he still affected me. Just a few more minutes and we would both be rid of each other, at least for a little while. Hopefully, it would be enough time for the bond to dissipate and free us of all this.

“There you are,” Kylee’s voice rang down the hall.

I turned to her with a smile, returning her hug as she wrapped

her arms around me. I held on for a minute, letting her

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Chapter 3: Ayla

proximity calm me.

been? Why is

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last night,” Ma said with bitterness in her

myself

for a

night?” she said

were passed out drunk. I cleared my

down at Kylee as I rubbed her arms. Looking at the

you’re ready,” she

you,” I

“I love you.”

away and I turned to my mother, taking her in my arms

of yourself,

let’s get going,” Theo

they walked out, closing the door behind them. I was standing in an

Chapter 3: Ayla

288 Vouchers

begging the goddess to just let it all go away, just for a little while. I just wanted to

staring without seeing. I didn’t even know Zeff was there until I felt him grip my

the hell? What’s wrong?” he asked, brushing hair out of my face, forcing me to look at him.

found my mate,” I said, the corner of my mouth tipping

anger and concern twisting his

was. He was the only person who knew everything I went through. And here he was, listening to me tell him about

up. “You’re coming

I was numb. Zeff held me up by my waist and led me out to his car. He tucked me into the passenger seat and disappeared into the house again, only to emerge

drove us the twenty minutes to his house. Just like before,

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Chapter 3 Ayla

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in his living room. I loved this couch. We had spent a lot of time on this couch, watching movies, talking about books, brainstorming ideas for work. This was like a second home to me. But even that felt

now.

rang in his pocket. He cursed as he pulled it

to

pulled my feet up onto the couch, tucking them into my chest as I wrapped my arms. around my knees. Silent

was time to snap out of it. I

tears from my eyes. No one had seen me cry. Not since the night my father died. I wasn’t about to change that now. Not over someone like Theo. He paused, giving me a look. He knew I’d been crying. It always bugged him when I did that. Not that

an arm over my shoulder and pulling me into him. I let myself relax some. This was the first thing since Theo walked into my life that felt normal, felt comfortable. He leaned his head on mine, rubbing his fingers

my laptop?” I

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Chapter 3 Ayla

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we’re not

of him, going to the