The Luna’s Choice

Chapter 230

Chapter 80: Ayla

Three days.

It had been three days since we had started the trial and it finally felt like we were getting close to a decision. We didn’t think we would get a unanimous agreement on the executions, but we didn’t need it. The majority support would be uncontestable in this situation. Protecting us from any retribution from other pack members.

After Theo had closed out the proceedings for the day, I invited the women for dinner and drinks in the cafeteria. I had reserved the private room off the main dining area thinking it would be a good opportunity to decompress before making any decisions the following day.

Annabelle had helped organize the get–together, which was a goddess- send with it being such short notice. I extended the invite to all Lunas, but it wasn’t a requirement, so I was curious to see who would attend. I was pleasantly surprised that all of them showed up.

It wasn’t a large group. Out of the nine packs, only five currently had mates. Six, if you included Theo and I as acting Alpha and Luna. However, there were three Beta’s mates that had also come along as well as Mina and Maggie, of course. But it was a nice balance. Even when the evening was in full swing, it still felt intimate.

“Thank you for coming,” I said as I handed Luna Victoria, Alpha Harden’s mate, a glass of wine. “It has been so nice to finally meet you. Alpha Harden has spoken so highly of you.”

“I can say the same about you, my dear,” Luna Victoria replied with a bright smile.

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“Well, I can only hope I live up to the expectations,” I replied. “I can’t say I was exactly prepared for this role.”

“Oh, honey, most Luna’s aren’t,” Luna Emma said. “Rarely do those who plan to be Luna actually become one.”

“And yours hasn’t exactly been a normal transition,” Mina defended.

“I know this can’t have been easy on you,” Luna Victoria commented. “Harden tells me you were just as surprised about your father’s identity as the rest of us.”

“Not just me,” I said. “Mina isn’t only Beta Briggs‘ mate. She’s also my cousin. Her mother was my father’s sister. Honestly, I don’t know how I would have gotten through these last few months without her.”

The conversation continued through various topics. Mina again came to my rescue a few times when there were questions about the more complicated rumors. Particularly the ones regarding Ma and Kylee and why I was at the annual Gathering with Kingston. As the night progressed, I found myself alone with Luna Victoria.

“I really want to say that you have been handling this impressively, my dear,” she said. She leaned in and added quietly, “especially in your condition.”

I was a little startled, almost dropping the glass I had taken from the server. I wasn’t sure if she meant what I thought she did. I resisted the urge to reach for my stomach. I had begun to show, but not so much that I couldn’t hide it. And I had been meticulous in doing so.

“I’m sorry, Luna,” I replied nervously, “I’m not sure what you mean.”

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“Don’t worry, sweetie,” she said with a reassuring squeeze of my arm, “your secret is safe, with me. I can understand not wanting to announce the news with everything going on. But you have my congratulations.”

Chapter 80 Ayla

“How did…? Did Harden…?”

“No, no,” she rushed. “Of course not. Just call it a woman’s intuition. We older Luna’s are always on the lookout for the next generation of leaders. So being a newly mated couple, the signs of pregnancy are easy to spot.”

Suddenly, someone bumped into me, spilling the drink I held down my hand.

“I’m so sorry, Luna,” a young man about my age said. “Please, forgive me. I’m so clumsy.”

“It’s okay,” I assured him with a smile as I took the offered towel. “Accidents happen. No harm done.”

“Please, let me get you another drink.”

Before I could answer, he had taken the glass and hurried off. I shrugged as I finished drying myself off, returning to my conversation with Luna Victoria. Not long after, I noticed it was getting late. I wanted to thank everyone again for coming, so I called for the room’s attention. Annabelle came out just in time to hand me a fresh drink.

“I want to thank all of you for being here this week,” I said. “I know that this issue with the Waar Pak is primarily affecting Theo and me and our pack, but I truly believe that they are a threat to us all. To have all of you strong women here shows an amount of support and respect I could have only dreamed of. I truly can’t express how much it means to me that I can move forward knowing I can rely on guidance

and validation. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. Now, a toast, to the Luna’s our people would be lost without.”

There were cheers and a round of applause throughout the room before we all took a drink,

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“You ladies are welcome to stay as long as you like and enjoy our hospitality.”

To reinforce my speech, I made my rounds around the room and thanked everyone individually. I made sure they were all taken care of and had everything they needed, both there and throughout their stay at the packhouse. I was really feeling like I was becoming a part of the group and enjoying my time when Dasha became agitated in the back of my mind.

Since we can’t shift, our wolves often become dormant during

pregnancy. Not like before when I had lost her. She was still always there where I could sense her. Just conserving energy for our growing pup. So to have her suddenly so present was a little concerning.

I excused myself from the group and had Maggie take me back to my apartment. As we entered the elevator, a wave of nausea hit me, making my head spin a little as the lift began to move.

‘Something’s wrong,’ Dasha whimpered.

“You okay?” Maggie asked, concerned.

“Yeah,” I said. “My medicine has just worn off.”

The feeling passed quickly and I was fine before we even made it to our floor. Dasha seemed to calm a little, so I just brushed the incident off. This was the first time I had missed a dose. So it was probably just my morning sickness returning.

I told Maggie goodnight and headed into my apartment, ready to tell my mate what a success the night had been.