The Alpha's Stolen Luna - Chapter 172: Chapter 172

: Sutton
We didn’t bother attending most of the sessions the following day. He sent Max in his place while we spent the morning in bed. Lucas went to a short meeting after lunch and, after leaving early, took me out to the city for the afternoon.
It was the first time I’d ever been to the capital and he wanted me to see some of the more historical sites. One of which was a huge city park with a hill looking out at the royal palace. I wondered if he brought me to see if I had any reaction. I wasn’t going to tell him, but it did feel odd knowing that I had family somewhere inside that building. But that didn’t mean it stirred any desire to be a part of the life that was led there.
Overall, it was a pleasant day. We made our way back to the conference center after Max told us that they were concluding the summit today. That meant the closing ball would be tonight. It still amazed me that they could get these big events together so quickly when it seemed to take me forever just to get dressed for them. I was so appreciative that Motty was there to help me with my hair.
“Thank you again, Motty,” I told her as she brushed through my freshly dried hair. “I’ve never really been to something like this. So I had no idea what to do with my hair.”
“It’s my pleasure, Luna,” she replied. “Really. It’s the least I can do for all you’ve done for me.”
There was a slight edge to her voice — a sadness almost. It was very subtle but I caught in her expression too as I looked at her in the mirror.
“Is everything okay, Motty?” I asked. “Are you nervous about tonight? I really do just want you to have some fun. You’re not coming to work.”
“I know, Luna,” she said with a genuine smile. “And I’m looking forward to it. I guess I’m just missing my mom. She used to love getting dressed up with me. It was one of the few joys she had in her life.”
I reached up and grabbed her hand, feeling tears start to well up.
“I’ve been missing my mother, too,” I told her. “It’s hard knowing she’s missed so much of my life. That she’ll never get to share these important moments. But I know that your mother would be so proud of you, Motty. You’ve come a long way in getting your life together.”
Motty squeezed my hand with a soft smile. She went back to doing my hair. I was doing my makeup as she finished up before she spoke again.
“Oh, I almost forgot. You had asked me about looking into Luna Kimo,” she told me. “I hope you don’t mind, but I assumed you might be looking to make a connection. Possibly see if she could be a possible ally. So, I talked to one of her assistants and she said Luna Kimo may just be open to the idea.”
“Really?”
Motty nodded. “Apparently, you impressed a lot of people with your testimony. She said Luna Kimo thought you were very commanding. So, maybe if you wanted to approach her tonight at the ball…”
“Thank you, Motty,” I replied. “I very well might do that. Now, would you like me to help you get ready?”
Lucas
I had left Sutton to get ready with Motty. There was one more thing I wanted to do before going to pick her up for the closing ball.
Mason was scheduled to be transported this evening. Per Erhardt’s decree, he couldn’t be transported until the end of the summit. Technically, it was closed after the final session earlier that day. This evening’s dance was just a traditional formality. So, he would be sent out tonight to ensure he is in Ironpaw territory in a cell before we even leave the capital tomorrow morning.
Before he was shipped off, I wanted to have a word with him.
He was currently being held at the nearest Council Guard station. I had Soloman and Councilman Erhardt send word that I would be stopping by, so the security would let me in. When I arrived, I was taken back to solitary confinement. Mason stood with his head hung, chained to the floor by his wrists and ankles.
“I won’t lie — this is a pleasant sight to see,” I spoke as the guard closed the cell door behind me.
A low growl sounded as Mason lifted his head. “And here I thought you weren’t pathetic enough to gloat.”
Rhonen let out a grunt that almost sounded like a chuckle. Gloating wasn’t what we were here for.
“Some would say the healthy thing to do would be to say my peace, sentence you to death, and walk away. Move on with life and never think about you again,” I contemplated out loud. “For Sutton, I would encourage that path. Give her the peace she deserves.” I turned my head, locking eyes with Mason. “But that’s not what we would do.”
Mason fidgeted against his restraints. A permanent sneer on his face.
“You stole my Luna.”
Mason snorted. “She was a pathetic little human when Anders found her,” he spat. “She never would have amounted to anything. You never would have met her if I hadn’t gotten to her first.”
“Five years,” I continued. Knowing he was wrong. Knowing she would have come to the pack lands once she opened her mother’s box. “You stole five years of happiness from us.”
“I never wanted the bitch in the first place,” he retorted.
“You think that will spare you?” I chuckled coldly. “You think that will restrain me? That it will dull my imagination of all the things I’m going to do to you? You owe me a debt, Mason. Five years. Five years of pain and suffering at your hand.”
Mason scoffed. “Anders told me to break her. So I did.”
With lightning speed, he was against the wall. His arms and legs straining against the pull of the chains as my hand tightened around his throat.
“You could never break her,” I growled. “No one can. But I’m going to enjoy breaking you.”
I released him. Dropping him to the ground as he gasped and sputtered for breath. I turned to leave, pausing at the door.
“Remember your debt, Mason,” I told him. “Five years.”