The Alpha's Stolen Luna - Chapter 160: Chapter 160

: Sutton
I had just gotten out of the shower the next morning when I heard a knock on our hotel door. It quickly turned into a persistent pounding that had me tightening my robe to go out and see what was going on. Lucas was already heading to the door and as soon as he opened it, Max and Motty came rushing in.
“Whoa… what’s going on?” I asked.
“Anders is getting bolder than we thought,” Max said.
“It seems like there were other pack leaders who approached the Council last night with information about the Ironpaw’s supposed transgressions,” Motty stated. “I’ve been keeping an ear out among the help. We’re confident there was at least one other Alpha who reported similar instances along his border. But there are a couple other rumors that other leaders have expressed aggressive behavior from Alpha Lucas over the years. But I don’t know how true those rumors are.”
“Why are you so confident about the other Alpha?” Lucas asked sternly, looking at her as if he already knew the answer.
“Because it came from a member of the Hallowed Moon envoy,” Motty admitted. “We went to school together. He wanted to give me a heads up.”
“Your old pack…” I commented.
She nodded.
It had to be them. They only had a small swatch of land that touched our borders but it was the only other pack that wasn’t our ally. They were, however, an ally of Anders and the Dawn Stalkers. The two packs shared similar cultures and prejudices. Mason often spoke about meetings with Alpha Hudson and his pack.
“It’s no secret that Alpha Hudson and Anders have worked closely together for years,” I said. “There’s no way his word could lend any kind of credibility to the claim.”
“And there’s no way he has any evidence of something that never happened,” Max said angrily. “His border is mostly inaccessible anyway. It wouldn’t be worth the effort even if we wanted to move against him. This whole thing is just ridiculous.”
“Regardless, it’s out there,” Lucas said. “It’s now something else we have to contend with. We’ve got two hours before the session begins. Max, see if you can get Alpha Renward and Alpha Derion to meet with me to try and figure out some damage control. Alpha Thane, too. His lands may not border ours, but they do share a larger boundary with the Hallowed Moon Pack than we do. We might as well make sure he’s not being implicated in this somehow either. Motty, stay with Luna Sutton while she gets ready.”
“Where are you going?” I asked.
“To find a secure place to meet,” Lucas replied. “I don’t trust the security here.” He came over and kissed my cheek. “If I’m not back before you head down, I’ll meet you outside the conference hall. Don’t go in without me.”
I nodded my agreement. Lucas grabbed his suit jacket on his way out the door, Max following behind him. I let out a long, slow sigh.
“Thank you, Motty,” I told my young friend. “I know the subject of your old pack is a sensitive one. We both appreciate your help and your initiative.”
“Anything, Luna,” Motty replied. “Alpha Anders is a bully. I’m glad I could help put him in his place.”
“We haven’t put him in his place yet,” I said, heading back to the bathroom.
“But you will,” Motty called after me.
I pulled my hair out of my face to start putting on my makeup. I was thinking about what I could do to help deal with this new attack against us and an idea came to mind. I stepped to the bathroom door and leaned on the doorjamb.
“What other rumors have you heard going around?” I asked seriously.
“About your situation?” Motty questioned.
“That… and which packs have been talking to which… Who’s leaning where… Those sorts of things,” I replied. “Sera told me about some of the inter-pack politics and relations, but I’d rather get a feel of what’s going on right now.”
“Well, there’s definitely been a lot of gossip about this Ironpaw-Dawn Stalker feud,” she confirmed. “In truth, Alpha Anders seems to be approaching anyone and everyone to try and get them on his side. Alpha Hudson was easy, obviously. I wouldn’t be surprised if he had prior knowledge coming into this summit. Alpha Lemont of the Crescent River Pack seems to be leaning towards Alpha Anders as well, but I can’t say what’s winning him over. I don’t know if it’s an ideology thing or if he’s worried about the accusations about Alpha Lucas being overly ambitious.”
“What about Luna Kimo?” I called out the door as I got dressed.
Luna Kimo was the head of the Red Moon Pack and the only unmated Luna in the country. Her father was the previous Alpha and she inherited his role after his death. From what I know, she was mated briefly a long time ago, but rejected her mate when he tried to take control of the pack from her. As a woman determined to keep power in her own pack, she could go either way. It would depend on who she views as the greatest threat.
“Honestly, I haven’t heard much from or about her people,” Motty said. “She’s remained very private and secluded the whole event. But I can try and push for some more information if you’d like.”
“Please do,” I said as I stepped back out of the bathroom. “And maybe get a feel if she’d be open to meet with me.”
I went to the floor-length mirror to check my appearance. I caught Motty’s expression behind me.
“That… that’s what you’re wearing to the session, Luna?” she asked in surprise.
I grabbed the blazer that paired with the tailored jumpsuit and put it on.
“This is exactly what I’m wearing to the session.”