The Luna’s Choice by Kat Silver

“You commanded him, Ayla,” Theo reiterated. “You commanded him in a way no one else

could. Even I could feel it. I don’t know what that all means or if what he will tell us is true,

but I think he believes it is. And if he believes someone is after you, I’m not taking

chances with that.”

He put an arm around my waist and led me back to the packhouse entrance. When we

turned the corner, we were surprised to see a flurry of activity. People going in and out of

the packhouse. There were several trucks parked in the front.

“The party,” I grimaced. “They’re getting things ready for tomorrow night.”

Theo ran a hand over his face with a sigh. “I completely forgot about that. Babe, I don’t

think it’s going to happen. That’s too many people in and out. We don’t have the extra

security for that right now.

“No, I agree,” I said. “I’m not worried about that right now, either. The question is, which

of us is going to tell your mother?”

Theo groaned. “I’ll go,” he volunteered. “She’s used to me

disappointing her these days. But you owe me.

”

“You go break the news to her, and I’ll start rangling the help,” I said.

“Let them know the event is off.”

“Okay,” he said. His eyes glazed over for a second while he was mind- linking with

someone. “Jimmy’s on his way down to help. Stay close to him, okay?”

I nodded, and we headed inside. Jimmy was already coming down the stairs as we came

in.

“Alright, Luna, you tell me who needs kicking out, and I’ll make it happen.” he said.

“Hopefully, we can just ask them to leave politely, big guy,” I said.

“Where’s the fun it?” he replied, feigning dejection.

“I better go bite the bullet and find Mom,” Theo said, kissing my cheek. “I’ll let you know

how it goes.”

Jimmy and I got to work, figuring out who was who and what was what. For the most part,

we were dealing with rental furniture and décor that were being stored inside until the

setup. So it was mostly having to get anything already unloaded reloaded without getting

any mixups.

I was opening a crate to see where it was meant to be when I felt a sharp pain in the back

of my neck, followed by an arm wrapped tightly around my shoulders.

“Don’t call out,” a voice said in my ear. “And don’t bother trying to mind–link anyone,

Luna. It won’t work.”

I felt the blade in my side without needing to see it. I tried to reach out, but the voice was

correct. I couldn’t connect with anyone. Not even Theo. I quickly pushed my panic down. It

wouldn’t help me now. I started to turn my head to look at my captor but he stopped me.

“Don’t look at me,” he hissed, pulling me toward the hall. “Just come with me quietly, and

this doesn’t have to get ugly.”

“What do you want with me?” I said, keeping my voice calm.

“For you to cooperate,” he replied. “There’s no reason this should be difficult.”

“What is this?” I asked. “If I knew, I may be able to help things go more smoothly.”

“Just shut up and walk, and there will be nothing to worry about.”

I looked around as best I could. Most of the delivery workers had already finished packing

up and left. The only ones left were too far away to notice what was happening. I would

have to figure something out because I was not leaving the packhouse with this male.

The commands.

Theo had said I could do it. Apparently, that’s what I had done to Randy to allow him to

speak to us. But I wasn’t sure I could do it again.

We were heading toward a doorway. There would be no way he could fit both of us through

the way we were walking side by side. He would have to change positions to get passed.

That was my opportunity. I’d have to figure out how to command him fast.

We came to the threshold, and he turned slightly to guide me through the door. I took my

shot.

“Stop,” I commanded.

He paused. I took the window to spin my upper body, hooking his arm beneath the

shoulder and striking up into his face, breaking his nose.

My command must not have been that strong because I felt a piercing pain shoot through

my side.

The man stumbled back as I cried out. He no longer held me, so I backed away as far as I

could, just in time for a flash of fur to rip my attacker out of my line of sight. I turned to

see a wolf tear into him, the sound of his neck breaking echoing through the hall. Holding

my side, I felt the warm liquid oozing between my fingers.

“Shit,” I said, looking down at my side. I leaned forward, resting my other hand on my

knee as I composed myself.

“Fuck, fuck, fuck,” Jimmy swore as he shifted back and ran to my side. He helped apply

pressure to the wound. “I’m so sorry, Luna. Goddess, fuck.”

“It’s fine, Jimmy,” I said, working to steady my breathing. “It’s not that bad.”

I didn’t listen to what he was yelling down the hall. I breathed in through my nose. Blowing

out through my mouth. Trying to ease the lightheadedness. I looked down again. There

was a lot more blood than I thought there should have been.

“It was a sliver blade, wasn’t it, big guy?” I asked calmly.

“I have to get you to the hospital,” Jimmy insisted.

I swayed. “Yeah, you may be right.”

The most intoxicating scent hit me as my vision went black.

“Theo.”