Chapter 44:Kingston

I waited for her to say something. Despitemy comments, I really could see that shewas happy with Theo. It hurt like fuckinghell, and it was hard to keep my behaviorin check. But I was trying. Ever sinceRandy had come to Sablemane and toldme about their theory about Ayla's effecton Alphas, I had been working to

reconcile my feelings for her. It got easierafter they had marked each other, but itwas still hard.

Pierce had protested my coming here forthis reason. He insisted he should goinstead, but I didn't want to hear it.Ineeded to see her. But it was genuinelyjust to mend things between us. Ayla mayhave forgiven me back in the Onyxcrownruins, but I knew she still thought of me asthe person who tried to force his mark onher and kept her father's ring from her.

It was eating me up inside thinking aboutit.

"Ayla, I just want to try to make thingsright," 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 missedyou, too. Your friendship. I still appreciateeverything you did for me. But it cannever be the way it was before."

"I know that," I said firmly."Believe me,Iknow. But our packs are still allies. And Iwon't pretend that I could be friends withTheo any time soon." Ayla gave me a look."Simply out of jealousy," I said with a wrygrin."Forgive me my wolf's nature. Some

things aren't so easily changed. But you'reright. I'm not blind. Whatever mistakes hemade before, he's not making them now. Ican at least respect him for that."

"Thank you," she replied sweetly.

"But it would be nice to have somefriendly company when we're doing business,"I said.

She smiled slowly."I think we can

manage that," she confirmed."But can weworry about that tomorrow? I'm wiped for刀the day.

I chuckled."Of course,"I said, standingfrom my chair.

I offered her a hand. She took and stood. Imade an impulsive decision and pulledher against me, wrapping my arms aroundher in an embrace. She stiffened at first,but I just held her. As she realized it wasmeant as an innocent gesture, she relaxed,

snaking her arms around my waist for amoment.

I thought it would have been a terrible,dangerous idea. Holding her again,

breathing in her scent like this. Memoriesflashing through my mind. This should betorture.

But it wasn't.

I smiled as a calm settled through me. Forthe first time in weeks, it was just nice tohold Ayla and know she was safe andhappy. That's all that mattered now. Iwould do whatever it took to keep it thatway.

She pulled away, giving me a tentativesmile.

"I better go," she said."Theo's waiting for

me.

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 justfine. He knew we would have to talk atsome point

"You don't have to ruin all my fun."

"Yeah, yeah," she said as she made herway to the door."If it helps, I wouldn'texpect him to be overly friendly with you,either. So, I'd be playing mediator刀anyway.

I followed her out of the cellar. Theo was,of course, waiting nearby. I averted myeyes as he kissed her, looking over theutility building in which the cellarentrance was hidden.

"You know, I can't imagine this wouldstay hidden with all the traffic it's been I commented.seeing,

"Yeah," Theo answered."We're

addressing that. We never had much usefor it before now. But setting up

something more permanent and covertnow makes sense. We're startingconstruction this week."

I nodded, matching their pace as wereturned to the packhouse. We said ourgoodbyes at the junction where we wouldgo our separate ways. I thought about the1

day as I walked back to my room. I hadsent Lou, my Gamma, back a while ago.My phone buzzed in my pocket as Iapproached 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 morerogue 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 thatway,"I said."But it ended on a high note.So, I'm surviving. 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 doingwell?"

"Yeah," I said somberly."She's doing川really well. I'll call you in the morning.

I disconnected and entered my guest suiteLou was already asleep, which was finewith me. I changed into a pair of sweats tosleep 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 ofresearch into her family since her rescue.

But there was still a lot she didn't knowMy mind wandered back to the moonstonehidden in its spot back home. No one hadmentioned it. I didn't think they knewabout it. Harry must have mentioned it inhis journal at some point. When Pierceconfronted me about the maps of the

Onyxcrown tunnels, I knew he had beenlooking for it.

I had lied to Pierce. Assuring him that hissuspicions were wrong. I didn't like it, butI still felt it was necessary. It didn't matterhow much I trusted Pierce, or anyone, forthat matter. Unless we got wind that theWaar Pak were looking for it or suspectedit still existed, I couldn't risk it.

Not until I knew what that power couldmean to Ayla.