The Alpha's Stolen Luna - Chapter 125: Chapter 125

: Sutton
I thought I would lose it when I heard Aunt Lara’s painful cry. Even Uncle Rodney paled, tears welling as he gathered his mate into his arms. But Conner’s reaction gutted me.
“Dead…?” he breathed. “You’re lying. No. That can’t be true.” He started pacing erratically. “She can’t be dead. This is some sick joke, Lucas.” He looked at Lucas, hoping he would confirm that it was just that. When Lucas didn’t, his mind just snapped. “You… you killed my sister. You bastard. You killed my sister.”
Before we had the chance to correct him, he launched himself over the table at Lucas. I jumped in surprise but Lucas caught him in midair and threw him against the nearest wall, pinning in place.
“I didn’t kill her,” Lucas growled. “Now, don’t be fucking stupid, Conner. We both know you couldn’t take me and I’m really not in the mood to lose another childhood friend. Calm down.”
I watched the energy drain from his body as he went limp against Lucas’ hold. The deep, guttural sob that escaped that man was worse than gut wrenching. He fell against Lucas who held him up, letting his friend cry on his shoulder. I looked to Lara and Rodney. Still embracing each other as they continued to weep. I wanted more than anything to comfort them but I was suddenly hit by how little I could do for them.
How could I give them comfort when Daisy did this because of me? I’m the reason all of this ever happened. If I had never come here, they would all still be a family. Not grieving over someone they loved.
Heat flooded my body and I a wave of nausea hit me. Without disturbing the others, I slipped down the hall and out the front door. Needing some air, I stumbled down the stairs and took a few steps away from the house.
I took deep breaths. Almost gulping in the night air so that I didn’t vomit. I pressed a hand to my mouth, shutting my eyes tight as my body shook from a suppressed sob. I couldn’t cry. I had to be strong for Lucas. I had to be there for him. It’s the only thing I could do. So I held back the tears. Terrified they wouldn’t stop if I let them start.
But then I felt arms wrap around my shoulders and it was no use. The tears fell all on their own. It wasn’t Lucas, but I buried my face the fabric of their clothing nonetheless.
“Shh, shh, shh, there, there,” I registered Rodney’s voice. “That’s it. That’s a good girl.”
I got to a point where I could slow my tears. Gathering my composure enough to step away. Guilt and shame filled me knowing I was the one crying on this man’s shoulder when he was the one who had lost someone. Lost them because of me.
“I’ll be okay,” I insisted, aggressively wiping my face dry. “Don’t worry about me. You’re the one grieving. I should be offering you the shoulder.”
Rodney looked at pensively. I avoided fidgeting under the scrutiny of his gaze until he finally spoke.
“I grieve in my own way,” he told me. “Snot and tears… well, let’s say that’s never felt right to me. But that doesn’t mean I can’t see the world of good it does for others.”
I hung my head. It wasn’t right for me to be crying either. I had to pull myself together. I took another deep breath, looking out over the fields as I exhaled slowly. I waited for Rodney to say something else. To scold me for being selfish or something. Instead, he just looked out into the night with me.
“They’re going to hate me,” I muttered quietly. “All of them. Conner, Harry, Tott… Jack. Especially Jack. They’ll never forgive me after this. I’m so sorry for bring all of this to your doorstep.”
“Now, why would you say something like that?” Rodney asked, almost incredulously.
“How could they not?” I scoffed. “I’ve brought them nothing but trouble. The Dawn Stalkers are attacking their borders. Invading their town. They’re worried they’re on the brink of war all because I’m here. Now a part of your family has been killed and it never would have happened if I had never stepped foot in Ironpaw territory.”
“She wasn’t family,” Rodney grunted.
My head snapped to him. “What?” I choked.
Rodney let out a long sigh, his shoulders falling a little. He looked back toward the house for a moment.
“Like grief, I see family in my own way,” he stated. “And Daisy…” He shook his head. “She wasn’t family.”
“She was your son’s mate,” I commented. “She was always here.”
“I never liked her for Emlyn,” Rodney admitted. “Lara… goddess bless her, she always wants to see the best in people. Even when there is very little of it there. But Daisy didn’t respect my son. She didn’t treat him right. Not like a mate should. It ate at my boy. Changed him. But he never would have rejected her. He was too good of a man for that. So, when he was killed, I respected what he would have wanted. I watched out for Daisy as a duty to my son and grandson. Not because she was family.”
“Oh…” I replied, not sure what else to say.
We fell back into a comfortable, yet still sad silence. I listened to the sound of the crickets, wondering if I could still face the pack as their Luna after this. The only thing harder would be telling Lucas that I couldn’t do it.
“This is a tragedy, Sutton,” Rodney said to the night. “There is no denying that. But this was never your fault. Daisy made her own choices. Don’t carry the weight of a decision someone else made of their own free will. And never, ever, apologize for something you didn’t do.”