The Alpha's Stolen Luna - Chapter 168: Chapter 168

: Lucas
Mason launched himself over the table, heading straight toward Councilman Erhardt. I instinctively positioned myself in front of Sutton. Erhardt didn’t even flinch. Council security was on top of Mason before he made it halfway across the room. Four men began to drag Mason toward the door as he yelled threats and profanities through the room.
“Anders…” Mason bellowed. “Anders, do something, you miserable prick. Anders…”
Anders made no move to protest. In fact, he neither seemed surprised or particularly bothered about the turn of events. Instead, he stood, straightened his suit, brushed off a sleeve and turned to leave. Hannah was crying loudly, trying to get to Mason and professing her love for him. Oblivious to Mason’s obvious disregard for her presence while the rest of the Dawn Stalkers tried to pull her away.
Seeing his Alpha abandon him seemed to trigger something to snap in Mason. His wolf flashed in his eyes as he threatened to shift.
“Anders, you bastard,” he snarled. “After everything I’ve done for you… Make this right… Make right or you’re a dead man, Anders.”
The room was on the edge of chaos. Anders didn’t look back. He didn’t even pause as everyone tried to get out of any possible line of attack. Then Mason’s eyes fell on Sutton.
“You… this is your fault you lying bitch,” he roared, trying to lunge at her.
I grabbed Sutton, shoving her behind me as Max and the rest of our guards moved to stand between us. Several council members were shouting orders at the guards. More hands were rushing to restrain Mason as he began to shift. Then suddenly he went limp, falling in a heap on the floor.
He had been sedated by one of the guards. After a moment to collect themselves, they hauled him up and dragged him from the room. Once they were gone, I loosened my hold on Sutton. Max and our other guards also relaxed.
“I would ask if anyone wished to challenge the Council’s decision on this matter,” Erhardt continued casually, “however, I would think that demonstration was enough to discourage such sentiments. It has been a trying day for us all. We will close our sessions for the rest of today. Normal sessions will resume first thing in the morning.”
With that, Councilman Erhardt stood and left the room, the rest of the Royal Council following behind. A few of the other packs began to head out as well. Alpha Renward and Luna Darcy approached us.
“That was a better turnout than expected,” Alpha Renward stated as he shook my hand.
“It’s not a bad place to start,” I replied. “But now the question is… how soon will Anders retaliate.”
“That may not be as much of a concern as you fear,” Alpha Thane stated as he joined us. “From what I heard, the Council was doing him a favor by getting rid of Beta Mason. Anders overplayed his hand with this stunt and found a weak link he didn’t want to see.”
“Meaning he’s going to play it off that he didn’t know what Mason was doing to me,” Sutton said bitterly. “He did.”
“No one here believes otherwise, my dear,” Luna Darcy stated. “But you’re right. He will try to make it seem that way.”
“Regardless, we knocked him down a peg or two,” Alpha Thane replied. “We may have even put a delay in whatever he’s up to.”
“This, plus the added security cameras we’ve been installing along our border this week, should keep him in his place for a little while,” Alpha Renward added.
I agreed that he would be forced to leave us be while he regrouped and appointed a new Beta. However, I wasn’t so sure we hindered his plans as much as they were hoping. But that was just a gut feeling. I wasn’t inclined to share it without divulging the reasons behind that feeling.
“I say we celebrate this victory tonight,” Alpha Renward proposed. “I know this wonderful little restaurant here in the city. I’m sure Darcy could persuade them to reserve a private room for us this evening.”
I glanced down at Sutton. We would be meeting with Soloman soon and there was no telling how long that would take or what she would be up for after.
“That sounds lovely,” she replied with a genuine smile. “It would be nice to see a little more of the capital while we’re here. Especially now that we don’t have a target on our backs anymore.”
“Splendid,” Luca Darcy announced. “We’ll let you know the final details soon enough.”
Our companions headed out, leaving us behind in the conference room.
“Well, I guess I’ll be arranging a prisoner transfer with the Council security tomorrow,” Max said happily. “You just tell me if you want Mason to reach his destination or not.”
“Get him there,” I said. “I have plans for him.”
“Where will you be sending him?” Sutton asked, a slight spike in anxiety creeping through our connection.
“Somewhere he’ll never be able to touch you again, princess,” I assured her. “I promise you’ll never see him again.”
“What if I wanted to?” she asked cautiously.
My eyes narrowed as I looked at her curiously.
“You’re not the only one with a grudge, Lucas,” she said. “For years, he told me I was pathetic because I didn’t have a wolf. He bullied me because he thought he was so much better than me.” She looked up at me. Nova flashing in her eyes. “He deserves to know just how wrong he was.”
A grin spread across my face. I hooked a finger under her chin and tugged her forward.
“That can certainly be arranged, princess,” I told her proudly.
“Okay, you two, save it for later,” Max said sarcastically. “Tarvyn has the rental car you asked for. He’s waiting at the east entrance to the conference center. We should get going while no one is looking for us.”