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.

have you been? Why is your

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last night,” Ma said

to stop myself from

I just went for a

she

passed out drunk. I cleared my throat

Kylee as I rubbed her arms. Looking at the face of the girl I had practically raised since she was nine,

soon. Come up whenever you’re ready,”

you,” I

“I love you.”

I turned to my mother, taking her in

care of yourself,

going,” Theo said from the

a few more smiles and waves, they walked out, closing the door behind them. I was standing in an

Chapter 3: Ayla

288 Vouchers

to my knees, begging the goddess to just let it all go

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

asked, brushing hair out of my face, forcing me to look at him. “Ayla, what

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

anger and concern twisting

no one else was. He was the only person who knew everything I went through. And here he was, listening to me tell him about meeting Theo, the mating ceremony, and my rejection. Why couldn’t he have been my mate?

said, lifting me up. “You’re coming to

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 a few minutes later

pulled out and drove us the twenty minutes to his house. Just like before, he helped

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Chapter 3 Ayla

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comfy leather couch 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.

now.

phone rang in his pocket. He cursed as he pulled

to

kissing my head before walking out of the room. Alone again, I pulled my feet up onto the couch, tucking them into my chest as I wrapped my arms. around my knees. Silent tears began to fall. The numbness was wearing

snap out of it. I needed to move

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 I often cried anyway, let alone

next to me, putting 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

get my

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Chapter 3 Ayla

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heavily. “Yes, but we’re not going to worry about that right

off of him, going to the duffel