The Luna’s Choice

Chapter 197

Chapter 47: Ayla

Theo insisted I skip dinner with the family and had food brought up to me so I could get my schedule reorganized and work on homework. I was nervous about not going and sent Kingston a message letting him know I was fine and would see him in the cellar for the interrogation later. He questioned my absence at first, but when I told him I just had a lot to catch up on, he was understanding.

I had felt bad all day because he was having to fend for himself. Normally, schedules were cleared when another Alpha visited another pack, and the focus was primarily on them. However, considering why he was here, Theo thought it was best we didn’t draw too much attention to him. Besides, this was so unexpected that there wasn’t a lot either of us could move around. But I still felt like I was failing in my Luna duty as his host, and it was stressing me out.

And to be honest, I was just cranky.

I didn’t know why, but I had been in a bad mood all day. I snapped at Maggie at one point, which I felt awful about. And that nearly led me to tears. I apologized but still felt terrible. I didn’t want to be around anyone and risk it happening again. So, despite being worried about Theo and Kingston getting along without me, I was grateful to have the time to myself and collect my thoughts.

After Theo left, I tried to focus on my reading assignment for my philosophy class. I was having a hard time getting into it when my phone rang.

“Hey, Zeff,” I answered.

“Hey, Ayls,” he said brightly. “Everything okay?”

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“Yeah,” I replied. “Just in a mood today.”

“Uh–oh, what did Theo do?” he teased. Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

“He didn’t do anything,” I assured him. “He’s been great. I just woke up on the wrong side of the bed.”

“It sounds like you need some time with your best friend,” he hinted.

“Yeah, that could be it.” I chuckled. “Are you still set to arrive

tomorrow afternoon?”

“Yep. My flight lands at four.”

“Okay,” I said. “Maybe I’ll try to be there to pick you up. We can grab some dinner.”

“That sounds great,” he said. “Also, have you had a chance to look over the new letters I sent you?”

“Not yet,” I said, my voice cracking as guilt and tears started to creep up again. “I’m sorry. With Kingston coming in and everything else. I’ve been swamped. But I’m working on clearing some things out tonight.”

“No worries, Ayls,” he said, his tone becoming more serious. “Honestly, sweetie, it’s no big deal. We have other content to post.”

“I know,” I said. “But I know the readers are expecting another article soon, and so many submitted requests, I just don’t want to let them down.”

“You won’t,” he insisted. “We’ll talk about it tomorrow. Don’t even think about it until then, okay?”

“Yeah, okay,” I pouted.

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“I’ve got to let you go,” he replied. “But if you need anything, you just let me know.”

“I know.”

“Love you, Ayls,” Zeff said.

“Love you, too.”

I hung up the phone and set it back down on the table. I looked over the books and papers scattered in front of me. With a frustrated sigh, I forced my fingers through my hair and pushed my chair away from the table.

Studying wasn’t happening for me. So, I decided to take a long, hot bath to help calm my nerves and relax a little. I started the tap and picked out some aromatherapy salts and bubble bath. I checked the time and played music before stripping down and climbing into the steaming tub. I had a couple of hours before I needed to be ready to go to the cellar, so I just sank into the water and let it soothe me.

Theo was right. I needed to stop trying to take on the weight of the world all the time. I couldn’t remember how many times I had told my friends or colleagues there was nothing wrong with taking

some for themselves. I needed to find balance. That meant slowing down a little and taking advantage that we weren’t under any immediate threat.

I took deep breaths until I was relaxed, my body feeling looser than it had most of the day. I was so comfortable that I barely noticed Theo come in. He brushed a hand over my hair and kissed my head before kneeling by the tub. He reached in, gently lifted my ankle, and began massaging my foot. I groaned as the pressure of his thumbs relieved the aches and pains. He moved to the next foot, then up my leg, kneading my calf, then my thigh.

Desire flared through my core as his fingers approached the apex of my

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legs. I lifted my hips, but right as I thought he would touch my folds, his hands moved down to my other leg.

“Theo.” I whimpered,

“Sshhh,” he hushed. “We have time, love.”

He continued working my muscles, moving on to my hands and arms, teasing my breasts in between. His hand lifted the nape of my neck as his mouth took mine. His hand slid smoothly beneath the water along my navel until it finally settled between my legs. I moaned against his lips as he deftly worked my clit, slipping a finger inside.

I gripped his shirt as he pushed me towards my release. His lips moved down my jaw, still holding my neck as he nipped at my mark, sending electricity straight to my core, throwing me over the edge as I cried

out.