The Alpha's Stolen Luna - Chapter 156: Chapter 156

: Sutton
“As you all just heard, Sutton Langston isn’t someone who is strong enough to fight off a group of attackers,” Anders stated, stepped back into Hannah’s place. “She doesn’t have the countenance to withstand manipulation from even those closest to her. She certainly isn’t someone capable of fighting the mark of a mate bond. She is simply being used by a power-hungry Alpha who is after my pack.”
The room actually fell silent and I opened my eyes. There were fervent glances and knowing looks being exchanged but for the most part, all eyes were on the Council Speaker.
“Alpha Anders, you have relayed your grievance to the Royal Council and your fellow pack leaders,” Councilman Erhardt stated. “You have told us the circumstances behind your concerns and informed us of events that should be considered in our deliberations. Now, I must ask you — what resolution are you seeking to achieve?”
“I want the hostilities against the Dawn Stalker Pack to cease,” Anders announced. “I want a new treaty to be signed and enforced by the Royal Council to protect me from any future attempts against my leadership. I want Mrs. Langston to be returned to my care and out of the hands of those who would seek to take advantage of her any further.”
Erhardt regarded Alpha Anders for a few moments. I waited for him to confer with his fellow council members but he didn’t.
“We still have to hear from the rest of those associated with these accusations,” Erhardt replied. “The Royal Council is dedicated to maintaining the peace and cooperation between all the packs of Lycuria. So, you can expect that your first two requests already align with our own goals. Your third option, however, is less likely to come to fruition.”
“Surely…”
“Despite what you may want or think, Alpha” the councilman interrupted, “forced rejections are not condoned by the Royal Council. In fact, the concept goes against our laws and traditions entirely. Regardless of how or why it happened, Alpha Lucas and Mrs. Langston are marked. They are mated under our sacred laws. Only they can choose to undo that bond. My condolences on your loss, Beta Mason, but what’s done is done.” Erhardt turned to the address the rest of the room. “Now that the primary complaint has been presented, the Council would like to hear from the accused. Since he was eager to offer his side, I would like for Alpha Renward of the Silverstreak Pack to provide his defense next. But before we do that, I would like to separate those involved. Alpha Derion, Alpha Thane, and Alpha Lucas, would you and your companions please exit the room.”
The request took me by surprise. I looked at Lucas in confusion. He stood from his chair and I followed his lead. Taking my hand, he tucked it into the crook of his arm, keeping my fingers firmly covered by his as we left the room. All eyes watching us intently. Lucas didn’t say anything once we were out of the conference hall. He just kept walking.
We made it to the fair side of the atrium where there was a small seating area set away from the more public areas. The others came up right behind us.
“What the hell just happened?” Alpha Thane demanded anxiously.
“Anders is trying to outsmart us,” Lucas said. “He’s aiming to plant as much doubt and suspicion within the Council as possible.”
“Just to avoid a reprimand for breaking border laws?” Alpha Derion speculated.
Lucas shook his head. “To keep them out of his business,” he stated. “There is something going on in his territory. He’s up to something and he knows I have my suspicions.”
“But if he can successfully discredit us, anything we bring to them in the future will merely look retaliatory or appear to support Anders’ claims that we’re targeting him,” I said.
“Exactly,” Lucas agreed. “At this point, I’m not even sure if this is actually about us anymore. Destroying our reputation may just be a perk in his plan.”
“You think he’s that determined to keep the Council out of his territory?” Alpha Derion questioned.
“More like desperate,” Lucas said somewhat absently.
“What do you know, Lucas?” Alpha Thane pressed. “What aren’t you telling us?”
Lucas sighed. “You’re going to need to trust me on that, my friends,” he said soberly. “Until the summit is over, the less you know the better. Right now, the best thing you can do is tell the truth. Neither of you is caught up in this that deeply. Stick with the truth and you’ll have nothing to worry about from the Council.”
Alpha Derion and Alpha Thane exchanged a look.
“We appreciate the advice, Alpha, but our concern lies with the Ironpaws,” Alpha Thane said. “We’re allies, Lucas. We support each other.”
“And I will be calling on your aide if and when it’s needed. You can count on that,” Lucas said. “But for now, we have this handled.”
I noticed a familiar head of dark brown hair out of the corner of my eye. I looked to see Hannah walking through the atrium on her own. She appeared to be headed back to the hotel side of the complex.
‘Stay here,’ I linked Lucas. ‘I’ll be right back.’
I was heading in her direction before he could protest.
I felt surprisingly in control of my emotions as I moved toward her. I knew Lucas was worried I was about to start a scene but that wasn’t what I wanted. I crossed behind a pillar and stepped out right in her path. She stopped suddenly, stiffening from her surprise at seeing me.
“Why?” I demanded calmly. “I deserve to know why.”
Hannah relaxed slightly, crossing her arms over her chest as she looked at me. Her finger tapped against her arm as she considered her next move. Then she looked around the room before stepping in closer.
“Meet me in the garden by the pool at midnight. Alone.”
I didn’t get the chance to recover from my disbelief before she brushed past me and kept on walking.