The Alpha's Stolen Luna - Chapter 175: Chapter 175

: Sutton
Princess Nomi, Prince Raphe’s mate, eyed me up and down curiously. Lucas’ grip on my waist instinctively tightened. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Prince Raphe coming in our direction. Nova was on the edge of my consciousness, pacing anxiously over this new development.
“My apologies, Your Highness,” Lucas replied with a tight — yet still polite — smile. “Of course that wasn’t our intention.”
“Alpha Lucas,” Prince Raphe called as he approached. “It’s been a long time. I’ve heard you scored a victory during this summit.”
“Not at all, Prince Raphe,” Lucas replied. “We simply set the record straight. Righted a wrong that was done to us.”
“As humble as always, I see,” the prince replied. “Good to see nothing has changed there.”
I couldn’t help but feel that was some kind of underhanded insult toward Lucas. Nova let out a low growl in my mind. The urge to correct his attitude fed my boldness. I would have said something if his eyes hadn’t landed on me. The intensity behind his gaze was heavy. For some reason that I can’t explain, it almost felt like some kind of challenge.
I resisted the urge to shrink under his scrutiny. Although, looking back, that probably would have been a better decision. But Nova wouldn’t have allowed it. Blood or not, he would have to earn our respect.
“This must be the young woman we heard about,” Prince Raphe commented, his voice more gentle than I had expected. “You seem to have caused quite a stir among my council, my dear.”
“I think you’ll find that was Alpha Anders’ doing,” I stated confidently. “I never intended to be the cause of any discord within the packs or the Royal Council.”
The corner of the prince’s mouth twitched. For a split second, I saw my mother in him. They didn’t look as alike as I had imagined. His eyes were a darker hazel than hers were when I knew her. From what I understood, they were naturally the same color. My mother was the only one of the two who inherited heterochromia. His face was broader. His hair was almost black compared to our light brown.
He was still handsome and there were still clear signs that he and my mother were siblings. A long, narrow nose. A strong chin. High cheekbones.
Still… I couldn’t say I felt any familial pull toward him. Even his scent seemed so foreign to us, which Nova was keen to point out. I don’t know why I expected it to feel familiar. For him to smell like my mother. It was a little disappointing, to be honest. I thought I would have to fight some deep urge to know him, to be close to the man who grew up with my mother. To family. The feeling I still had for my stepfather. For Helene. Even for Hannah.
“Prince Raphe, this is my mate and Luna, Sutton,” Lucas formally introduced.
The prince reached out and took my hand. “It’s an honor to meet you, Luna Sutton,” he stated, kissing my knuckles. “It’s not every day a new Luna takes so quickly and confidently to their role. Especially someone so foreign to our ways of life. Or did I not hear correctly that you were raised among humans?”
“That is correct,” I replied. “You seem rather well informed about me, Your Highness. I’m not entirely sure how to feel about that.”
Princess Nomi chuckled. “It’s a compliment. I can assure you,” she said. “I’m sure your mate can attest that we don’t often take much interest in the romantic lives of our pack leaders. As long as they aren’t causing any complications, then there is no reason for us royals to intervene.”
“I hope that doesn’t mean you feel Alpha Lucas or I have caused such grievous complications,” I retorted. “Because our testimonies were very clear about being unwilling participants in the conflict with the Dawn Stalkers.”
“Of course,” Prince Raphe jumped in. “Please forgive my mate’s choice of words. She simply meant that we took an interest because of the clear wrongs that were perpetrated against you both. You in particular, Luna Sutton. I will admit that I was pleased to hear the outcome of the judgment against Beta Mason after the recounting of your harrowing tale.”
“Mason,” Lucas corrected him. “He is no longer worthy of the title of Beta of any pack.”
“I should think not,” Princess Nomi stated firmly.
“Indeed,” Prince Raphe agreed. “I am curious to know exactly how end up dealing with just a character, Alpha. Lycan justice can be impressively decisive. Knowing your past response to such slights, I’m sure you will come up with a fitting punishment for his despicable behavior toward our new pack Luna. I will be eagerly awaiting a full report on the matter.”
“Of course, Your Highness,” Lucas replied stiffly.
“Just as stoic as usual, Alpha Lucas,” Princess Nomi commented dryly. “Surely you already have some idea of what you’re going to do to the…”
“Nomi…” Prince Raphe interrupted with a playful warning before returning his heavy gaze to me. “If someone close to me had been treated the way Luna Sutton was, I’d have a long list of ideas on how to deal with the culprit. I would imagine Alpha Lucas couldn’t pick just one.”
I wanted to argue his statement but didn’t know how. Didn’t know why. I had no illusions about what Lucas was capable of. Nor did I have any doubts about the level of fervor my mate would put into the task. No… it was the implication that this… stranger cared about me. That’s what I felt. That’s what bothered me.
I was struggling to pull my eyes away when screams suddenly erupted near us, cutting off the prince’s statement. We all looked to see a crowd of people backing away from the nearest entrance. Clearing the way for us to see a man stumbling in, covered in blood and causing a cacophony of gasps to echo through the room. Max rushed to him, catching him as he fell to his knees.
“Be…B… Beta Mason,” the man choked. “Beta Mason has escaped.”