The Alpha's Stolen Luna - Chapter 158: Chapter 158

: Lucas
I didn’t have the heart to tell her that we may not be able to face this together if things went south. If Anders succeeded in casting enough doubt among the Council, it wouldn’t end with just stripping me of my Alpha status. The most likely outcome would see me being hauled off to some dark hole somewhere.
I’d been mind linking with Max to coordinate a plan to get Sutton away to safety if the worst should happen. I honestly didn’t know if the Council would do anything to Sutton if they ruled against me but I was sure they wouldn’t protect her from Anders or Mason. I wasn’t about to leave her vulnerable to whatever plans they have in mind. That included not letting her go anywhere on her own, especially to see the sister who was so clearly working with them against her.
I expected her to argue more when I insisted on coming with to meet with Hannah. However, while she was initially hesitant, she easily agreed that it was the safer option. We went down to the garden area about half an hour before midnight. I wanted to check out the area and make sure we weren’t going to be ambushed.
There were a few people strolling through the area when we arrived but it didn’t take long before we were alone. Sutton seemed surprisingly calm the entire evening. She had insisted that she was fine and that she was dealing with her sister’s betrayal in her own way. I wasn’t going to push the subject while there was so much else going on.
It was nearly half past twelve and there was no sign of Hannah. I was about to take Sutton back to the room when someone approached through the shadows. Sutton straightened in anticipation. A moment later, Hannah stepped into the dim light across from us.
“Do you not understand the meaning of ‘alone’?” she said bitterly, looking me up and down in disapproval.
“I’m not a fool, Hannah,” Sutton replied. “Despite what your testimony may have implied.”
Hannah scoffed. “Or your brute of a mate is too overbearing to let you out of his sight.” She tossed her hair over her shoulder obnoxiously. “It doesn’t matter. It doesn’t change why I’m here.”
“Why are you here?” Sutton pressed. “You were quite clear that you didn’t want anything to do with me anymore. I can’t imagine the reason for your behavior would take all that long to explain. So why the secrecy?”
Hannah scowled. “You’re right. It doesn’t take long to say that I hate you. That I’ve hated you for years. You’re pathetic and selfish and manipulative. I don’t know how my father put up with you for so long.”
I pushed Rhonen back even further. I’d been keeping him as suppressed as I could and it was certainly essential right now. It was taking enough of my own control to keep from putting this little brat in her place. I wouldn’t have been able to handle Rhonen as well.
“That sounds more like jealousy than hatred,” Sutton replied.
“Don’t even try it, Sutton,” Hannah snapped. “Don’t try to play with my mind. It won’t work. I see right through you. And everyone knows it. Why do you think it was so easy for them to believe me in there?”
“So, that’s why we’re here? So you can rub it in my face that you convinced a bunch of strangers I was a terrible person?” Sutton replied sardonically. “Now who’s pathetic?”
“Watch your mouth, you stupid bitch,” Hannah blurted out, advancing a few steps as her composure faltered. But she recovered quickly, adopting the haughty attitude once again. “No, I’m here for closure.”
Removing a bag from her shoulder, she set it on a nearby bench. Reaching in, she pulled something out. It was an ornate wooden box with decorative metal features. It was a little bigger than a shoe box and showed signs of aging. Hannah held it firmly as she turned to face us, shoving the container toward Sutton.
“Here,” she stated. “Mason is ready to move on. He doesn’t need to hold onto anything that reminds him of you anymore.”
Sutton and I both stiffened. Our eyes meeting as we wondered if this was what we thought it was. My heart started to race. Mixed emotions filling me.
“Did… did Mason give this to you?” Sutton asked.
“What does it matter? He’ll thank me for getting rid of it for him,” Hannah replied. “I can only imagine he brought it with to return it to you. I’m sure seeing you here with him was just too painful. But that’s what a good partner does. They…”
“Have you opened it?” Sutton interrupted her.
“What? No… why would I?”
“So, you don’t know who this box is from?” Sutton pushed.
Hannah scoffed again. “Of course I do,” she stated. “It’s from our dear departed mother. Which is exactly why I have no interest in what’s inside. Why would I care what a woman who cared so little for her other children had to say?”
I saw Nova flash in Sutton’s eyes as her gaze shot to Hannah. I stepped in close, gripping her arm to keep her from doing anything she would regret. Sutton pushed past the insult and tucked the box under her arm.
“Well, then I guess our business is complete,” Sutton said flatly. “You always did think you knew better than everyone else, Hannah. I hope for your sake, you’re right this time. Just know… when he starts beating you… you’ll know where to come.”
A sneer formed on Hannah face and she snorted as she turned to walk away.
“Oh, and Hannah…” Sutton called after her, “I do hope you manage to make it to our testimony tomorrow. I would hate for you to miss my inevitable downfall. I would imagine it will be a satisfying thing to see.”