The Alpha's Stolen Luna - Chapter 116: Chapter 116

: Sutton
“I see,” Ned said without breaking stride.
We followed him across his workroom to a desk with half a dozen monitors hooked up. He rummaged through a drawer next to the desk before pulling out a cable. Plugging it into the phone and then the computer, he took a seat and started typing.
As Ned worked, Lucas’ phone rang from his other pocket. He took it out and I saw Jaden’s name flash across the screen.
“Are you okay if I take this?” he asked me.
I nodded. He kissed my temple before walking away as he answered the call. I turned my attention back to Ned. Watching him curiously as he worked furiously at the computer. I had absolutely no idea what he was doing. Everything on the screens looked completely foreign to me. Much like the man in front of me.
“So… you’re a human?” I asked awkwardly.
Ned gave me a side-eyed look but didn’t seem offended by the question.
“Yes,” he replied flatly. “You don’t really think a wolf could create something so sophisticated, did you?”
My mouth dropped open for a moment, then closed. Ned snickered. It was an awkward, wheezing sound.
“The packs have managed to adopt many of the human’s technological advancements,” he stated. “But it’s out of curiosity… convenience… rather than the necessities by which humans endured. They’ve got their mind-links. Their wolves. Their great healing ability.” He waved his hand dramatically. “Their imaginations aren’t broad enough to contrive the things I create in my sleep.”
I wasn’t sure how I felt about his perspective. On one hand, it was refreshing to hear a human speak so confidently about their own species when comparing it to lycans. As someone who had been told for years how pathetic I was as a human, I could see just how short-sighted that belief could be. But at the same time, I wondered if I should feel insulted.
“Lycans have put a great deal of research into the sciences,” I replied. “They’ve made some remarkable strides in medicine compared to humans. Especially considering, as you say, they don’t need it like humans.”
“Certainly,” Ned stated. “I am not discounting them as capable minds. Their intelligence is equally as impressive as any human. Any human or lycan with any semblance of intelligence, that is. I think we can both agree each race has its share of… numbskulls, you might say.”
I chuckled in agreement. Lucas returned as I was shaking my head with a grin.
“What’s so amusing?” he asked.
“Nothing,” I replied.
“Any progress?” Lucas requested of our friend.
Ned grabbed the phone abruptly. He tapped the screen briefly before turning it to Lucas.
“I suggest you set a new password.”
Lucas took the suggestion and entered a new PIN so we could access the phone whenever we needed from now on. Now that we could get into it, Lucas pulled up the text first. There was only one thread listed. Clicking into it, I read the messages over his shoulder. Sadly, I didn’t see anything useful. I was just check-ins and updates to whoever he was reporting to.
Lucas went to the call log next. It was the same few numbers repeated. Lucas stopped scrolling as a different one appeared. Even I knew there was something significant about the number.
“That’s an Ironpaw number, isn’t it?” I asked.
Lucas nodded. “Can you trace this if we call it?” he asked Ned.
Ned gave him a look. Lucas read the number off to him before hitting the call button. It started to ring. And ring and ring. No one answered. No voicemail had been set up. I watched the computer screen, but nothing seemed to be happening. Without a connection to the other line, we wouldn’t be getting far.
“Hmm…” Ned said, typing something in. “Let me tweak my system. Give me twenty-four hours. I’ll come to the packhouse then. We’ll track down your traitor, Alpha.”
Ned was already buried in his work without a response, his fingers moving furiously over the keys. I guess Lucas accepted that was all we would get from him for the day because he wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled me toward the elevator. Once we were inside and the doors closed, I took a second to let that entire odd interaction sink in.
“So that’s Ned,” I said.
Lucas chuckled. “That’s Ned.”
“I like him,” I stated.
Lucas eyed me in surprise but grinned. “Me too.”
“Is he the only human you have working for you?” I asked curiously.
“No,” Lucas replied casually. “I told you, we don’t hold the same prejudices as the Dawn Stalkers. Humans are always welcome in my territory. In fact, now that I think about it, I believe we have one of the larger human populations among pack lands.”
Lucas led me back out of the building, waving goodbye to Wendell on our way out.
“How did Ned end up working for you?” I asked as we walked up to the truck.
Lucas opened my door with a grin. “Actually, through his mate.”
“His mate?” I replied in surprise. “Who…?”
Lucas tipped his head toward the building. “Wendell.”
I busted out laughing. “Yep, that actually makes total sense.”