The Alpha's Stolen Luna - Chapter 157: Chapter 157

: Sutton
We continued to wait in the atrium as the others cycled in and out of the conference room as requested. After a couple of hours, I was sure we would be the next to be called back and given our chance to speak, but that didn’t happen. Instead, we were met with the sight of everyone leaving the room and heading back to the hotel. I looked at Lucas with concern.
“It’s okay,” he said, rubbing my back. “We’ll get our chance tomorrow.”
“After everyone has had time to form their own opinion about us,” I said bitterly.
“We’ll change their minds, princess,” Lucas replied. “We’ve done nothing wrong. Come on. Let’s go back to the room.”
We went back to our hotel room and I immediately started pacing.
‘This is a good thing,’ Nova told me calmly.
I snorted. ‘How so?’
‘We will speak with Hannah tonight,’ Nova said. ‘Had we been able to testify tonight, she wouldn’t have been there to see it. We can make sure she will be tomorrow.’
‘You really think she’s going to bother?’
‘I think you can convince her,’ Nova replied smugly.
I stopped pacing. Biting my lip as I considered her perspective. She had a point. Even though she arranged to meet me, I didn’t think my sister was about to declare her love and beg my forgiveness. But I had asked why she had betrayed me. So, I expected another slew of insults to be hurled my way. Fine. I didn’t care at this point as long as I got an explanation. And I had an idea of how to ensure she would show up for my testimony.
A knock on our door pulled me from my thoughts. Lucas went to answer it. Soloman entered as soon as the door opened. He looked tired. I felt a tug in my chest, remembering how hard he was fighting for us.
“I can’t stay long,” he said. “I probably shouldn’t be here at all…”
“So, things are that bad?” I asked.
He exhaled heavily. “This is the rocky bit we expected,” he replied. “At the moment, my contributions have raised concerns about bias considering my extensive time with the Ironpaw pack. However, Anders’ clear lack of evidence and prior issues with the Royal Council have also been counting against him.”
“Then why do they seem so eager to entertain his accusations?” I asked, having a hard time believing his optimism.
“Because I’ve always been a threat they’ve wanted to get rid of,” Lucas stated.
He had been leaning against the wall, his arms crossed over his chest as he brooded over the day. He’d been quiet again. Controlled. Much like he had been after Daisy’s death. Nova said he’d pushed Rhonen away again. I knew now that was his way of keeping his emotions in check.
“Why would you be such a threat that they’d use a potential lie against you?”
Lucas glanced at Soloman.
“The rebellion,” Soloman explained. “Lucas has a… unique ability to resist our natural hierarchy. He wasn’t the first to challenge an Alpha in combat. It has happened multiple times throughout our history. However, it has never been an Alpha’s prerogative to accept the challenge. To decline the challenger with an Alpha’s command is enough to reaffirm their power.”
“I resisted that command,” Lucas stated. “And still won.”
Soloman nodded. “Yes, and it raised concerns that you may choose to you that strength to further your position within the country even further.”
“Which you know I have never wanted,” Lucas argued. “I only wanted to protect my pack. Nothing more.”
“I do know that,” Soloman replied. “But…”
“But that’s why Anders’ accusations have them on edge,” I surmised. “He’s played on that fear.”
“Exactly.”
“But he wasn’t the aggressor,” I argued. “We can prove that, can’t we?”
“Not anymore definitively than Anders can, unfortunately,” Lucas said. “All we can provide are witnesses. It will end up being one side against the other. Our only advantage is Renward. Crossing his border may have been the one mistake Anders made that we can actually use. But that still may not be enough. Not if they decide to take this opportunity to get rid of me once and for all.”
“That’s not going to happen,” I stated. “That can’t happen. How would they even do that? The pack would never allow them to remove Lucas as their Alpha.”
“They wouldn’t have a say,” Lucas replied stiffly.
“It would take Royal intervention,” Soloman clarified. “But I have the advantage over Anders and much of the Council there. We’re still going to avoid things getting that far if we can. Your testimonies will go a long way. You have to have faith in that.”
I took a deep breath, exhaling it slowly. I couldn’t think about faith right now. I couldn’t even think about how things had gotten this messed up. Otherwise, I would start blaming myself again and guilt wouldn’t help any of us through this.
No, I needed to stay focused on fighting back.
Fortunately, the more I thought about it, the more I believed I could use Anders’ own secret weapon against him. Hopefully, it would solve two problems at once.
“I would like to stay and help you prepare, but I have to go,” Soloman said. “More than one of my colleagues issued vague warnings against communicating with you until this is over with.” He took my hand, holding it affectionately. “Keep your head up, Luna.”
With a gentle, supportive smile, Soloman left us. Lucas still hadn’t moved from his position by the window, looking out deep in thought. I walked up and stood in front of him. Reaching up, I grabbed his tie, wrapping it around my fingers before tugging him toward me. His lips slammed into mine. My arm snaked around his neck. Easily following my lead, his hands slid around my waist.
“We’re in this together, baby,” I told him. “Don’t forget that.”