The Alpha's Stolen Luna - Chapter 152: Chapter 152

: Sutton
I suppressed a yawn as I listened to another trade and investment report from another pack Beta. I didn’t want to be disrespectful. But I hadn’t slept much the night before and knowing that Lucas and I would be in the spotlight before the end of the day, it was hard to find the topic stimulating. It didn’t help that I was also a nervous wreck. More than once, Lucas had had to rest a hand on my knee to keep it from bouncing or take my hand to keep me from wringing all the color from my fingers.
It just felt like they were torturing us. I didn’t understand why they were conducting a full summit if they were just worried about the mess between the Ironpaw and Dawn Stalker Packs. Before we came, I believed it was because they weren’t that concerned about the situation and just wanted to say they did something. At least, that’s what Lucas and Soloman had implied to me. But now that we were here… now that I knew things were more serious than Lucas or I thought, it made even less sense.
I asked Soloman about it during the lunch break, and he told me it was complicated. Ultimately, the Council didn’t have enough to justify a trial and this was the most viable way to get all of the pack leaders in one place. It made the whole situation feel even more like some kind of coup.
It didn’t help that I had only seen my sister once that day. She had been at the opening session briefly but left after the introduction. It was probably better that she wasn’t here. I couldn’t say what I would do if I had to watch her with Mason all day. I didn’t need another distraction.
‘She’s fine,’ Nova assured me again. ‘He’s not through using her to torment us.’
I fidgeted. Trying to discretely stretch my neck and shoulders after spending hours sitting all day. I noticed I wasn’t the only one either. Many of the other attendants seemed to be getting antsy in their seats.
“Thank you, Beta Arnon,” Councilman Erhardt stated as the Beta took his seat. “This concludes the financial review session today. We will take a short recess before we move on to our next order of business. We will reconvene in fifteen minutes.”
We all waited for the Council members to stand first before we began to file out of the large conference room. I followed Lucas out to the atrium, a large area with a glass dome ceiling that let in a flood of natural light into the building. The air felt fresher and the feel of the sun on my face was calming. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.
I felt Lucas press his lips against my temple. A grin tugged at my lips at the comfort he always provided. I opened my eyes to look at him but was immediately met with the sight of Hannah across the room.
She walked up to join Anders and Mason. Running a hand up Mason’s arm and pressing in close to him. My stomach churned and I felt my face flush. Even from here, I see the look of adoration on her face as she practically threw herself at him for some attention. If he kissed her, I’d throw up right there.
Thankfully, I appeared to be spared that horror. Mason simply put a hand on the small of her back but otherwise didn’t seem to acknowledge her.
“Come on, baby,” Lucas said gently, starting to usher me away. “Let’s get something to drink.”
I shook my head with a stiff smile. “I’m fine,” I said. “I’m going to use the ladies’ room before we have to go back in.”
I walked the short distance to the bathrooms and escaped inside. I went to a stall just to have a moment to myself and take some deep breaths. I had expected to see Hannah again. It wasn’t a surprise. I could keep it together. I needed to keep it together.
‘We’ve got this, Sutton,’ Nova reminded me. ‘It doesn’t matter what she thinks right now. She doesn’t know the truth. She doesn’t realize the danger she’s in. Focus on the task at hand.’
I nodded as I released a long slow breath. It sounded like the bathroom had emptied out, so I left the stall and went to the sink. Wetting a paper towel, I dabbed it on my face, letting the cool dampness get rid of the flush of my cheeks. Dropping the towel in the trash, I washed my hands. I was pulling a fresh dry towel when the door opened. In the reflection of the mirror, I saw Hannah walk in.
I tensed as we locked eyes for a brief moment. I managed to hide any reaction. I proceeded to dry my hands but I could feel her eyes on me as the click of her heels echoed against the walls. She didn’t say anything as she began to wash her hands. Fine by me. I wasn’t going to risk falling apart right before having to face the next Council session. I finished drying my hands and turned to leave. But I only made it three feet before Hannah chuckled behind me.
I froze briefly. Taking only a second to push down the feelings of anger and betrayal. I was prepared to keep walking but after only a single step, Hannah felt compelled to speak to me.
“I know you’re dying to say something, Sutton,” she said mockingly. “You might as well get it over with before you give yourself an aneurysm.”
I lifted my shoulders, plastering a fake smile on my face before turning back to her.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Hannah,” I told her. “You made yourself perfectly clear last night. What more would I possibly have to say?”
Her eyes narrowed at me as she cut off the water. Yanking a paper towel from the dispenser, she turned to face me.
“You forget how well I know you, Sutton,” she said bitterly. “You never could be content with someone else being the center of attention.”
“Hmm.” I managed to suppress a scoff with another stiff grin. “That’s what you believe. I have to be going.”
I turned and walked away.
“Whatever you’re planning won’t work,” Hannah called after me angrily. “I want nothing to do with you.”
I managed to keep my feet moving. Allowing myself a moment of pride that I had made it out of there in one piece.