The Alpha's Stolen Luna - Chapter 103: Chapter 103

: Sutton
“Stop, Tarrah, seriously, it hurts,” I urged, trying not to laugh so hard.
Tarrah and Motty had been with me all day. Taking care of me along with Jack. I was already feeling a lot better, which made being stuck the apartment harder. Don’t get me wrong. I wasn’t in any shape to be working yet. But I could have at least been at the sight overseeing the progress.
Alas, I knew Lucas wasn’t going to let me leave the suite without him for a while. So, I settled for whatever distraction Motty and Tarrah could provide. Plus, Tanjie kept me informed with plenty of updates through video calls. All of them did a lot to help keep my spirits up. That in turn helped my keep my mind off of where Lucas was. He didn’t tell me where he was going when he left, but it wasn’t hard to guess.
By late afternoon, I felt well enough to get out of bed and move around a bit. We moved our gathering to the kitchen where Motty and Jack started to make dinner. The apartment was filled with conversation and the aroma of cooked spices when Lucas finally returned.
I watched him step out of the elevator. He was wearing different clothes than when he left. He had washed himself but it wasn’t enough. I could still smell the faint scent of blood lingering on him. My expression fell from the look on his face. Even the lighthearted atmosphere wasn’t enough to shed his seriousness.
Coming up to me, he kissed me firmly before taking my hand and pulling me away from the others. I looked back towards my friends briefly before following him to our bedroom. Once inside he closed the door and sat me down on the bed. Kneeling before me, he rested his hands on my thighs.
“Lucas, where have you been?” I asked, not sure I wanted an answer.
“Protecting you,” he replied. “Anders is getting more desperate. I need to take you away for a little while.”
“No, Lucas. Why?” I protested.
“I just need you to trust me,” he insisted. “The packhouse isn’t safe. I can fix that but not with you here.”
“You’re not making sense, Lucas,” I said. “Our home is the safest place in the entire pack.”
“They know you’re here, Sutton,” he stated. “If you stay, it’s only a matter of time before they find a way to get to you. I’m not risking that.”
“I’m not going anywhere without you,” I replied. “We’re stronger together. You know that.”
“Of course I do,” he admitted. “And you’re right. As much as it would probably be wiser to stay behind, I can’t do it. Which is why I’m moving us to the manor house. It’s private enough and defendable. We can have a guard around that won’t attract too much attention.”
I sighed. “My work…”
“Can continue without you for a little while,” he said. “It will need to. Word of the attack is already circulating the pack. So, no one will expect to see you but to keep up appearances we have to make it look like you’re here.”
“Why do we have to keep up appearances?”
“To flush out the spy,” he said. “And any other attackers who have managed to get this far into our territory.”
“You think there are more?” I asked.
“I believe there are, yes,” he said. “They’ll make another move soon enough. Anders is getting to anxious to wait long. But you” — he brushed a hair behind my ear — “won’t be here. Okay?”
I bit my lip nervously but managed a nod. If this was what he felt we had to do, I’d do it. He kissed me and stood, retrieving a suitcase from beneath the wardrobe.
“Motty and Tarrah will have to stay here,” he explained. “It’ll help sell the idea that you’re still here if they are seen coming and going from our apartment.”
“What about Jack?” I asked.
“I’m coming with you,” Jack said as he burst through the door. I must have been listening outside.
“Jack…” Lucas admonished. “You should stay here, too.”
“No,” Jack replied stubbornly. “If you and Aunt Sutton are leaving, I am too. Someone needs to look out for her.”
I bit my lip to keep from smiling. I met Lucas’ gaze with a shrug. Lucas sighed heavily, pushing his fingers through his hair.
“Fine,” he agreed. “But only until your grandmother gets here. Now, go get packed. We leave at midnight.”
Jack nodded and rushed back out of the room. I chuckled under my breath.
“You know he’s just trying to be helpful,” I said.
“Yes, I’m aware,” he said. “But he’s the only exception. The others must stay behind. Max has already been away from the packhouse, so he’s going to meet us at the manor house to keep guard whenever I have to return. Jaden will handle things here while we look for the mole.”
“You’re sure there’s a spy here in the packhouse?” I asked, getting to my feet help him pack.
He immediately grabbed me and set me back down on the bed.
“I’m well enough to help,” I told him.
“And I’m capable of packing on my own,” he replied. “The more rest you get, the faster you will heal. There’s no reason to push yourself, Sutton.”
I grabbed his hand as he walked past, pulling him to face me.
“You know this wasn’t your fault, Lucas,” I told him. “None of this was your fault.”
He knelt down in front of me again. He pressed his palm to my cheek as he gazed into my eyes.
“But it was my failure,” he replied. “I was arrogant to think they couldn’t make it this far. Not with Anders as determined as he is. But I won’t make the same mistake again, Sutton. I will find the traitor and they will pay for this.”