Chapter 194

Chapter 44: Kingston I waited for her to say something. Despite my comments, I really could see that she was happy with Theo. It hurt like f***ing hell, and it was hard to keep my behavior in check. But I was trying. Ever since Randy had come to Sablemane and told me about their theory about Ayla’s effect on Alphas, I had been working to reconcile my feelings for her. It got easier after they had marked each other, but it was still hard.

Pierce had protested my coming here for this reason. He insisted he should go instead, but I didn’t want to hear it. I needed to see her. But it was genuinely just to mend things between us. Ayla may have forgiven me back in the Onyxcrown ruins, but I knew she still thought of me as the person who tried to force his mark on her and kept her father’s ring from her.

It was eating me up inside thinking about it.

“Ayla, I just want to try to make things right,” I said again. “With our history... with our families... I’d hate for you to keep hating me.”

“I don’t hate you, Kingston,” Ayla insisted. She shook her head. “Truth is, I’ve missed you, too. Your friendship. I still appreciate everything you did for me. But it can never be the way it was before.”

“I know that,” I said firmly. “Believe me, I know. But our packs are still allies. And I won’t pretend that I could be friends with Theo any time. soon.” Ayla gave me a look. “Simply out of jealousy,” I said with a wry grin. “Forgive me my wolf’s nature. Some things aren’t so easily changed. But you’re right. I’m not blind. Whatever mistakes he made before, he’s not making them now. I can at least respect him for that.”

“Thank you,” she replied sweetly.

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Chapter 44: Kingston 288 (Vouchers “But it would be nice to have some friendly company when we’re doing business,” I said.

She smiled slowly. “I think we can manage that,” she confirmed. “But can we worry about that tomorrow? I’m wiped for the day.”

I chuckled. “Of course,” I said, standing from my chair.

I offered her a hand. She took and stood. I made an impulsive decision and pulled her against me, wrapping my arms around her in an embrace. She stiffened at first, but I just held her. As she realized it was meant as an innocent gesture, she relaxed, snaking her arms around my waist for a moment.

I thought it would have been a terrible, dangerous idea. Holding her again, breathing in her scent like this. Memories flashing through my mind. This should be torture.

But it wasn’t.

I smiled as a calm settled through me. For the first time in weeks, it was just nice to hold Ayla and know she was safe and happy.

That’s all that mattered now. I would do whatever it took to keep it that way.

She pulled away, giving me a tentative smile.

“I better go,” she said. “Theo’s waiting for me.”

“I’m sure he is,” I teased. “I won’t lie. It feels good making him squirm a little.”

Ayla rolled her eyes. “He’s handling it just fine. He knew we would have to talk at some point.”

“You don’t have to ruin all my fun.”

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15:48 O Chapter 44 Kingthen 11 728 NAUJAS “Yeah, yeah,” she said as she made her way to the door. “If it helps, I wouldn’t expect him to be overly friendly with you, either.

So, I’d be playing mediator anyway.”

I followed her out of the cellar. Theo was, of course, waiting nearby. I averted my eyes as he kissed her, looking over the utility building in which the cellar entrance was hidden.

“You know, I can’t imagine this would stay hidden with all the traffic it’s been seeing.” I commented.

“Yeah.” Theo answered. “We’re addressing that. We never had much use for it before now. But setting up something more permanent and covert now makes sense. We’re starting construction this week.”

I nodded, matching their pace as we returned to the packhouse. We said our goodbyes at the junction where we would go our separate ways. I thought about the day as I walked back to my room. I had sent Lou, my Gamma, back a while ago. My phone buzzed in my pocket as I approached my door.

It was Pierce.

“Yeah,” I answered lightly.

“So, how did it go?” he asked worriedly.

I sighed. “The interview was enlightening,” I said. “They’re definitely dealing with Grogan. We have one more rogue to interview, but I feel he won’t be as forthcoming.”

“How’s the atmosphere between you all?”

“It was a long day. Let’s just put it that way,” I said. “But it ended on a high note. So, I’m surviving.”

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15.48 M Chapter 44: Kingston 288 Mouchers I could sense him relax through the phone.

“I’ll be here at least another day,” I said. “But I’ll keep you posted on any updates.”

“Okay,” Pierce replied. “So, she’s doing well?”

“Yeah,” I said somberly. “She’s doing really well. I’ll call you in the morning.”

I disconnected and entered my guest suite. Lou was already asleep, which was fine with me. I changed into a pair of sweats to sleep in and sat on the edge of the bed, playing with the file folder in my hand.

Ayla seemed to have been doing a lot of research into her family since her rescue. But there was still a lot she didn’t know. My mind wandered back to the moonstone hidden in its spot back home. No one had mentioned it. I didn’t think they knew about it.

Harry must have mentioned it in his journal at some point. When Pierce confronted me about the maps of the Onyxcrown tunnels, I knew he had been looking for it.

I had lied to Pierce. Assuring him that his suspicions were wrong. I didn’t like it, but I still felt it was necessary. It didn’t matter how much I trusted Pierce, or anyone, for that matter. Unless we got wind that the Waar Pak were looking for it or suspected it still existed, I couldn’t risk it.

Not until I knew what that power could mean to Ayla.

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15:48 III O Chapter 44 Kingston 289 Nouchers I could sense him relax through the phone.

“I’ll be here at least another day,” I said. “But I’ll keep you posted on any updates.”

“Okay,” Pierce replied. “So, she’s doing well?”

“Yeah.” I said somberly. “She’s doing really well. I’ll call you in the morning.”

I disconnected and entered my guest suite. Lou was already asleep, which was fine with me. I changed into a pair of sweats to sleep in and sat on the edge of the bed, playing with the file folder in my hand.

Ayla seemed to have been doing a lot of research into her family since her rescue. But there was still a lot she didn’t know. My mind wandered back to the moonstone hidden in its spot back home. No one had mentioned it. I didn’t think they knew about it.

Harry must have mentioned it in his journal at some point. When Pierce confronted me about the maps of the Onyxcrown tunnels, I knew he had been looking for it.

I had lied to Pierce. Assuring him that his suspicions were wrong. I didn’t like it, but I still felt it was necessary. It didn’t matter how much I trusted Pierce, or anyone, for that matter. Unless we got wind that the Waar Pak were looking for it or suspected it still existed, I couldn’t risk it.

Not until I knew what that power could mean to Ayla.

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15:49 O Chapter 45: Theo