The Luna’s Choice

Chapter 258: Theo I closed out of the video chat with Alpha Harden and Alpha Vincent just as my dad walked into the office. He had been going almost non- stop the last couple of days. And who could blame him? He felt better than he had in years. We had the pack doctor and his specialist do thorough exams the day after we healed him, and they both agreed he was in perfect condition. Even for his age. “Maggie and I have the guard rotation complete for the three days before and after the eclipse,” he informed me. “The Moonstone has a twenty-four hour guard.” “Thanks, Dad,” I said. “Zeff and Holly should be here soon. This should be their last trip. So, they’ll be occupying the house from here on out. I’ll give him a walkthrough of the access tunnel and cellar security this afternoon.” We were interrupted by a knock on the door. “Enter,” I called. McCabe opened the door and came in, followed by my cousin Will. “I’ m sorry to interrupt,” he said seriously. “There’s something you should know.” His tone was concerning and he had my full attention. “Lloyd is dead,” Will informed. “What?” I replied, instantly on my feet. “How?” “Not entirely sure,” McCabe said. “I’ve got Mina heading down to run forensics. I thought you might want to check it out.” I was already heading down. The new tunnel access was complete, so at least we could avoid attention now. I wasn’t exactly upset about Lloyd’s death. We knew we needed to address him soon, but we wanted to wait until after the ceremony. He would have been executed anyway. What bothered me was how. ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

I had ensured he was kept fed and healthy enough to keep him sane. I knew every guard that was assigned to him. There was no reason he should have just died. Something was up and I didn’t like it.

Mina was already there when we entered the cell. The place didn’t smell the greatest, but Lloyd didn’t look any worse for the wear. There was no apparent sign of what caused his death. “Any ideas yet?” I asked Mina as she finished drawing blood and pulled out some swabs. “We’ll have to wait for the test results for confirmation,” she said. “But my guess, poison.” “What makes you say that?” McCabe asked. “It’s strangely subtle but” – Mina reached up and pulled Lloyd’s mouth open – “smell that.” I moved in and breathed in, instantly pulling back with a grimace. “What the hell is that?” I asked. ” “I’m pretty sure it’s wolfsbane hybrid that Harry was working on,’ Mina replied. “I recognize the smell from going through his stuff. Plus, I found this.” She held up an evidence bag with a small glass tube in it. “It was under him by the wall.” “How would he have gotten that?” Will asked from the door. “You don’ t think one of ours gave it to him?” “We’ll question them just in case, but no,” I replied. “Could he have been hiding it on his person?” I asked McCabe. “He was searched when we arrested him back at the border,” he stated. “But that was primarily for weapons. I wouldn’t say it was thorough enough to find something like that.” I nodded. “We know Harry was working with Grogan and Grogan was working with the rogues. It’s reasonable to think they either crossed paths or it was given to him at some point. We’ll keep looking into this to be on the safe side. I don’t want to leave anything to chance right now. “Yes, Alpha,” they said in unison. I left,Will and Mina to finish their work and headed back upstairs. McCabe followed me. “How are the rest of the preparations coming?” I asked. “I’ve coordinated with Maggie and Alpha Torin,” McCabe said methodically. “I have a few last-minute

personnel issues to address, but it doesn’t seem to be anything major. I think I’ve cleared out most of Hawkins’ men. Any that may be left aren’t in a position to do much.” “Okay, keep me updated,” I replied. There seemed to be something else on his mind but I wasn’t sure if he was going to bring it up or not. Either way, he had been in a weird mood the last few days and I wanted to get to the bottom of it. “If there’s something else, you can tell me, Finley.” “Hmm…” he said, pulling out of whatever zone he was in. “Oh, yeah, well… There’s been some issues at the campus. And at the packhouse really. It’s about Luna Ayla’s sister.” “Kylee?” I asked, stopping in my tracks. “What about her? Has she done something?” “No, no,” he rushed. “There’s just been a lot of negative comments and rumors about her. And regarding her relationship with Amy. It’s all pretty petty stuff really. I’ve just been hearing a lot of it, I guess.” “Oh,” I replied, continuing on my way. “We can’t really be surprised. The truth about what she did was bound to sink in with the rest of the pack at some point. I guess I can at least be grateful that Amy’s betrayal has made Ayla’s position much more stable.” “But at the expense of her sister?” McCabe questioned. I shrugged. “We can’t control how they handle the truth of things.” McCabe pursed his lips with a nod. “I wasn’t here when all that went down,” he said as we walked. “And I haven’t heard the story from you two, but… do you really think she deserves the harsh treatment she’s receiving.” It wasn’t an accusation, but a genuine curiosity. However, there was something else in his voice that said this wasn’t a purely professional question. “Are you asking me as your Alpha or as your friend?” He rubbed the back of his neck. “Both, I guess.” “Well, as a friend, yes, I think she does,” I said bluntly. “But I’m also aware that I’m biased. And that bias isn’t inclined to let me view her in a completely fair light. As the Alpha of the pack, no. She was a pretty

66 HOT shi tty person. And I think the pack has a right to be disappointed, even a little angry, with her behavior over the past few years. However, I wouldn’t agree that she should be shunned or made the pack pariah as long as she continues to make steps to change.” McCabe nodded and a tension seemed to leave his body. “Why are you asking?” I asked. He waved me off. “Oh, it’s nothing. Just kept hearing so much about her it’s hard not to think about.” I nodded and let the subject drop, but something was telling me there was more to this than he was telling me.