Chapter 176

O 10:49 Chapter 24: Ayla The dress fitting went wonderfully. Mina looked stunning and was going to be breathtaking at her ceremony. We all teared up more than once. We went out to dinner after, where I toasted my amazing cousin Mina, Annabelle, Maggie, and I went back to my apartment after dinner for a few drinks. We invited Luna Grace to join us, but she regretfully declined so she could get back to Alpha Torin.

We were sharing stories when Theo called. I grabbed my phone and rushed to the bedroom.

“Hey, babe. How is everything going?” I answered eagerly.

“Hey yourself,” he replied. I could hear the smile in his voice. “Things are... complicated. We’ve hit a bit of a roadblock.”

“Oh no,” I said worriedly.

“It’s okay,” Theo assured me. “It actually means I’m coming home tonight.”

“Really?” I asked excitedly.

“Yeah, but we have to transfer two of the rogues up there,” he said seriously. “It’s a long story and I’ll tell you when I get back.

But I’m just getting the prisoner transfer secured, and then we’re going to head out.”

I glanced at the clock.

“It’s already getting pretty late, Theo,” I replied. “Are you sure you’re going to be okay to make the drive? I’d rather you got some sleep and 0.00%

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O 10:49 left in the morning.”

“I wouldn’t,” I teased. “I’m not sleeping any better than you are, baby. Besides, Will and I are trading off. I’ll be fine. I promise.”

“You better be,” I warned. “I’m ready for you to be home, but I need it to be in one piece.”

“I know, babe,” he chuckled. “I know. But let me get this finished up so we can be done. I’ll let you know when we’re on the road.

I love you.”

“Love you, too,” I said.

I hung up the phone and was instantly in a better mood. I rejoined the group, falling onto the couch.

“And here’s the luckiest female in the pack,” Annabelle said. “How is our super sexy Alpha?”

“Annabelle,” I exclaimed. “What would Matthew think?” I teased.

“Exactly what he already knows,” she said. “That I have fantasized about our Alpha whenever I’m mad at him.”

“Annabelle,” I said again as the others laughed.

“Don’t worry,” she continued. “I don’t do it anymore. It lost its appeal when I saw how crazy he was about my best friend.”

My face turned red as I sipped my wine.

“Hey, that doesn’t mean we’re not all still wondering,” Mina said, shifting on the couch to face me. “How is he?”

“Oh, my goddess,” I groaned as I covered my face.

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O 10:49 “Ayla, sweetie,” Mina said, “I love you, and I realize you aren’t used to this kind of girl talk, but... it’s time to spill.”

“Luna, don’t let them pressure you,” Maggie said sweetly. “But if you want to share... I don’t think anyone here is going to stop you.”

We all laughed.

“Fine,” I said, setting my wine glass on the coffee table. “He’s fantastic.”

I didn’t know a person could make the sounds that came out of their mouths. They giggled and teased and continued to make inappropriate comments about our sex lives.

“What about you, Maggie?” Annabelle asked. “Anyone you’ve been passing the time with?”

Maggie hesitated.

“You don’t have to tell us.” I insisted. “Unlike these two. I don’t mind if you want to keep your private life private.”

“It’s not that,” she said casually. “It’s just kind of... well... I’ve been seeing one of my squad members. We’re not supposed to date within the group.”

“Girl, no one here is going to rat you out,” Mina said. “We promise.”

Maggie looked content. I really enjoyed her company. I was grateful to Theo for assigning her to protect me. It was nice growing my circle of friends.

A twinge tugged at my chest as I thought about Emma. I missed her. We still talked once or twice a week, but it wasn’t the same.

We kept saying we would plan a trip to see each other. However, we both knew 4006%

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288 (Vouchers how difficult that would be with the way things were between Kingston and Theo. I knew she would always be welcome here.

That wasn’t a concern at all. But whether Kingston would give her a hard time or try to put her in a position she didn’t want to be in was a concern for both of us. So, for now, I just had to be content with our phone calls.

“So, when is our dashing Alpha going to return?” Mina asked, pulling me out of my thoughts.

“He actually should be on his way home any minute,” I said with a smile.

“I will give you this,” Annabelle said, “you’ve been handling his absence better than I did the first time Matthew and I were separated after marking each other.”

“Oh. don’t be fooled,” I interjected, “I’ve been falling apart. It feels like I’m going crazy sometimes with how much I miss him. I never thought I’d need someone this much.”

“It’s the bond.” Annabelle said with a shrug. “It will level out over time. But the first year or two is pretty intense. Especially when you get far enough apart. You know that feeling of emptiness when you can’t feel them or sense them anymore?”

My brow furrowed. “No,” I said. “I guess Theo wasn’t so far away for that. We’ve still been able to sense each other.”

“You said he went to Bonnerville, right?” Annabelle asked, sitting up straighter.

“Yeah.” I nodded.

“That’s almost four hundred miles, Ayla,” she said. “I lose my connection to Matty if he goes farther than a few hours.”

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O Chapter 24. Ayla 288 Vouchers “That’s what I’ve heard is normal, too,” Maggie said curiously.

“Maybe you just thought you felt him because you missed him so much,” Annabelle tried to explain.

“Maybe, but he was able to feel when I cut my hand,” I told them.

“Damn, girl,” Annabelle breathed.

“They’ve always had a strong connection,” Mina pointed out. “Their bond has never exactly been normal. Theo could feel Ayla even when Harry had taken her.”

“He did?” I asked.

“Yeah.” Mina confirmed. “He knew you were alive and he could tell you were tied up.”

“Wait a minute,” Annabelle interjected, “wasn’t that before they marked each other?”

“Yep,” Mina said.

“Shit,” she replied. “I guess you two really were meant to be together.”

“Were you doubting it?” I teased “Absolutely not,” Annabelle replied with a bright smile.

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