The Alpha's Stolen Luna - Chapter 164: Chapter 164

: Lucas
Applause erupted throughout the room, but I barely registered it. All I saw was Sutton. Pride and adoration filled me to the point I thought my chest would burst. All I wanted was to go to her and kiss her. Take her right here so everyone would know without a doubt that she was mine.
I managed to restrain myself. Don’t ask me how.
The room began to quiet down once again and Councilman Erhardt began to speak again.
“Thank you, Ms. Langston,” he said respectfully. “Regardless of what anyone else in this room believes, you have shown true bravery and resilience today.”
Finally managing to pull my eyes away from my incredible mate, I took the chance to scan the room. Looking for any signs of disagreement. Other than the Dawn Stalkers, no one was showing any outward signs of doubt about Sutton’s recounting. Although there were a few who seemed uncomfortable, even among the Council. I made a note to keep an eye on those faces, suspecting a connection to Anders and his agenda.
“You have earned my respect today, young lady,” Erhardt continued. “As I stated before, you and Alpha Lucas are marked mates, even our laws cannot deny you that relationship. But it is clear to see that your pairing has been ordained by fate. Any mate bond that can form under such circumstances and produce such strength and healing in such a short time is a shining example for any pack to follow.”
“Thank you, Councilman,” Sutton replied.
“I’m choosing to speak for my colleagues and say that you have earned the Royal Council’s blessing to take on the title of Luna of the Ironpaw Pack,” Erhardt announced, sending a jolt of relief and happiness through me. Albeit short-lived, as he quickly followed that statement. “However, I cannot speak for us all in regards to the other matter on hand. Remember, this is not a formal trial. We have been gathered here for all council members and pack leaders to form a conclusion and pass a judgment on the conflict occurring between your pack and the Dawn Stalkers.
“We have been presented with two sides of two very different stories on a matter that impacts our nation as a whole,” he continued. “For that, I must respect everyone’s right to deliberation and contemplation.” The councilman turned his attention back to the rest of the room. “As such, I will be dismissing all pack leaders at this time while the Council discusses the issue. We will send word when we are ready to reconvene for a vote. I suggest you all take this time to thoroughly consider what you have witnessed over the past two days. If there are any pressing concerns or questions, please address them to the Council representative assigned to your pack. And Alpha Anders” — Erhardt’s intimidating gaze fell directly on Anders — “I highly recommend you remember the laws and rules of the Alpha’s Summit and keep your Beta under control. You all may go.”
The instant I heard the first chair shift, I was closing in on Sutton. Hooking an arm around her waist, I practically carried her toward the nearest door. Her feet barely touching the ground as I hauled her out of the room and into a back hallway.
My lips slammed into hers without me even bothering to check if we were out of sight. I wanted her too badly. I needed her to know what I was feeling and there were no words in my vocabulary that could come close to accomplishing that.
“Mmm, Lucas,” Sutton gasped with a weak attempt to push me away, “people are watching.”
“And?” I growled, continuing to kiss her desperately. “Am I supposed to care about offending them?”
This time, she pushed harder, managing to put a few inches of space between my mouth and hers.
“Yes, you should,” she scolded. “We’re not in the clear yet. Just because our relationship is safe doesn’t mean that we are.”
I sigh heavily, adding a frustrated grunt at the end. Resting my forehead against hers, I traced a thumb over her mark. She may have been right, but that didn’t mean the truth could dampen the mood I was in.
“Then I guess I should get you away from mixed company and back to the privacy of our room,” I told her.
“That’s not exactly what I meant,” she said with a chuckle, sliding her arms beneath my suit jacket and around my waist. “But I can’t say I’d stop you.”
I braved one more kiss before shifting my attention to our surroundings, working out the fastest route back to our suite. Grabbing Sutton by the waist, I headed down the hall only to run into Max and the others at the end, keeping anyone from stumbling onto our display. Motty handed Sutton her blazer, which she put back on gratefully. We were about to start moving again when a yell echoed through the atrium.
“WHAT?” Anders’ voice traveled to every corner of the massive room.
Every head turned. Catching sight of Anders standing menacingly over one of his men. They exchanged a few more words, Anders clearly on the border of irate. I subtly started to push Sutton down the hall. Not wanting to risk her becoming his target. But I kept my focus on the exchange. Borrowing some of Rhonen’s hearing ability to catch part of what they were saying.
“…pray we fucking find it or your finished.”
I pushed Sutton to move a little faster. Worrying about the other leaders may not have put a dent in my mood, but that certainly had. There was only one thing going missing that could have set Anders off like that. My heart sank as I caught the worried look Sutton gave me from the corner of my eye. She’d heard it too.
This was about the box.