Chapter 86

Chapter 86: Ayla I had to shut my phone off for the rest of the night. I got tired of Kingston’s endless calls. Mina came by my room about an hour after I got back. I told her that I ended things with Kingston.

“Are you okay?” she asked, sitting on the couch beside me. “How are you feeling?”

“Pi**ed off, mostly,” I said. “Other than that, I don’t know. I really don’t know what I’m feeling these days. I miss Kylee and Ma, but I don’t want to be around them. I like the Sablemane Pack, but I’m not sure I really belong there. I care about Kingston. I liked him a lot. But now I don’t think I can trust him. I thought leaving the pack was the best thing for everyone. Now... I feel like I should be here.”

“What about Theo?” Mina asked. “How are you feeling about him?”

I let out an empty laugh. “I can’t even touch that right now.

“Maybe you should.”

“Mina, I can’t,” I said.

“Then what are you going to do?” Mina asked.

“1 “Obviously, I can’t stay here. Kingston will just send someone else.”

“You don’t think he’d have someone hurt you, do you?” Mina asked, sitting up straighter.

“No, of course not,” I assured her. “I may not trust him enough to be with him, but he’s a good man. He wouldn’t do anything like that. But 0.00%

16:27 Chapter 86: Ayla 289 Vouchers I am going to head back to the lake house tomorrow. At least I know Kingston’s men won’t cross the patrols.”

“Okay.” She stood up. “But a little bit of advice, sweetie. If you don’t want to think about your feelings, maybe it’s because they aren’t so confusing after all.”

She kissed my head and left the apartment.

I slept in the next morning, hiding away in the apartment. I finally turned my phone on at about one o’clock. My voicemail was full and I had a bunch of texts. I read a few of them but realized I was still too mad to be interested. Instead, I got cleaned up before leaving for the lake house.

Ifound Alpha and Luna in the living room together when I arrived.

“Ayla, welcome back,” Luna said, getting up to hug me. “Is everything alright?”

“Yeah, all’s good,” I said. “Alpha, how are you feeling?”

“I’m doing pretty good,” he said kindly. “Thanks to that oil you gave us.”

“I’m glad it helps.” I smiled at him. “Um, do you guys mind if I stayed in the guest house tonight? I got a late start today, so I’ll probably be up late. I don’t want to bother anyone.”

“Honey, you can take the day off,” Luna Grace said. “But you are welcome to stay wherever you like. I think the patrols have everything locked down. And we haven’t heard anything that suggests Conner is anywhere in our territory.”

“Thank you,” I said.

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,,, O 16:27 r Chapter 86. Ayla 11 288 Mauchers “Hey, Mom, that shed door needs...” Theo came in from the back. He froze when he saw me. “Ayla.”

He knew. Briggs must have told him.

“Theo,” I acknowledged him before turning back to Alpha and Luna. “I think I’ll just hang out in the guest house tonight. I’m not really in the mood for company.’

“1 “Okay, honey,” Luna said. “Just let me know if you need anything.”

I went to the guest house, closing the door behind me and hoping Theo didn’t come knocking. Or maybe I was hoping he would.

“Ugh,” I grunted, throwing myself onto the bed. “Life was simpler when I was a doormat.”

It wasn’t a lie. It’s funny how working until you dropped was easier than dealing with emotions. I wasn’t lying when I told Mina I missed Ma and Kylee. I even missed Kingston. Despite his recent behavior, there was still something between us. There was still a pull.

Three months ago, all I had to worry about was finishing my book and making sure Ma didn’t drink herself to death. Maybe I did just need to go back to that life.

I was thinking about going back home once I was done with Alpha Torin’s book when there was a gentle knock on the door. I exhaled loudly and dragged myself up. I opened the door to find Theo standing outside with a plate holding a sandwich.

“Mom sent me,” he said sheepishly. “She wanted to make sure you had lunch.”

I took the food even though I wasn’t really hungry.

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16:27 Chapter 86. Ayla 24# Vouchers “Thanks.” I said.

“Ayla, are you okay?” Theo asked.

“I don’t want to talk about it, Theo,” I insisted.

“I know, but are you okay?” he asked again.

I went to set the sandwich on the counter. Theo followed me in, waiting for me to answer, or break down, or both.

“I’m okay,” I said. “Still a little pi**ed off, but okay.”

“Okay,” he replied. “I didn’t tell Mom. I figured you wouldn’t want to deal with her nosiness and meddling.”

I laughed lightly. I could only imagine what lengths Grace would go through to push us together now.

“Is this where you tell me how we should be together?” I said. “That you still want me and that Kingston is a fool?”

“Do I really have to say it?” he replied with a wry smile. But it fell quickly. “I know just because you’re not with him, that doesn’t mean you will fall into my arms like nothing happened. I’m not a default. I don’t want that. But I do want you. More than anything in this world. I want our bond. Whatever you decide, whether you accept me or not, I am your mate.”

I couldn’t deny the fluttering in my stomach. The racing of my heart. The physical desire to fall into his arms, as he said. It was far more intense than I had felt with Kingston, but I wouldn’t deny that I still felt them.

“So is Kingston,” I stated quietly.

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د 16:27 Chapter 86. Ayla 288 Vouchers Theo’s face paled.

“What...” He swallowed hard, taking a step back. “What are you talking about?”

“I’m saying if our bond was severed, I would be fated to Kingston,” I told him. “Or any other Alpha.”

“No,” he said, shaking his head. “That’s not... That can’t be...” He started pacing. “But we’re... How do you know?”

I told him about Kingston’s theory. How he helped me heal without my wolf. How his wolf reacted to me. How he seemed to help me get Dasha back.

That seemed to hit Theo the hardest. To the point where I could feel his heartache through the bond.

“She’s not back completely, Theo,” I said. “You know that. Kieran told you.”

Theo was quiet, but I could see the battle he was fighting in his mind.

“Did Kingston tell you why he believed that was possible?” Theo finally asked.

“He said it was because of my family. Because the bloodline was so old.”

“He just said it was because of your family line? Nothing else? What about Kylee? Does he suspect the same is true of her?” he pressed. Like the answers were important to solving some kind of puzzle.

“No, we know it’s not the same for Kylee. I don’t know why she’s different,” I said. “Why are you asking?”

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Chapter 86: Ayla “Ayla, I talked to my father last night,” Theo replied. “About your family.”

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