The Alpha's Stolen Luna - Chapter 194: Chapter 194

: Lucas
I met Jaden in my office the next morning. I had to catch up on everything that I missed while we were away.
“Ned called the day before last,” Jaden told me as I reviewed a water report. “He said he’s ready to set up a meet with his contact about… you know what. He said we should be prepared to travel.”
I glanced up at him. “Did he mention why?”
Jaden shrugged. “He said his friend isn’t keen on dealing with this topic within pack lands.”
I dropped the stack of papers on my desk. “I suppose that’s understandable,” I replied. “It’s still poor timing. I’d rather not leave the territory so soon again. I know Sutton won’t want to either. Not with her family here now and the ceremony being moved up.”
Jaden shifted uncomfortably in his chair.
“So, they’ll be staying at the packhouse for now?” he asked, staring at his hands.
“It would seem so,” I said. “Sutton seems happy to have the opportunity to reconnect with them. And it would be easier to keep the safe if they were here.”
Jaden rubbed the back of his neck. “I suppose,” he said. “But it’s a big change. I mean, they don’t know anything about pack life. Let alone what it’s like to live in a packhouse. Running into everyone all the time. Limited privacy. You sure they wouldn’t be more comfortable in one of the houses in the suburbs? Maybe even at the manor house for now?”
My brow furrowed curiously.
“I don’t think isolating them right now would be the best move,” I told my friend. “It may be a bit of a crash course in lycan culture, but it’s not like they won’t be welcomed as our Luna’s family. Besides, Sutton wants them close. Especially Helene.”
Jaden winced at the mention of the name.
“Jaden, is there something I should know?” I pressed. “Do you not want them here?”
“No, no, it’s… it’s not that,” Jaden rushed, sitting up straighter. “It’s nothing like that. I just know that this kind of… sudden change can be difficult on anyone. I want to make sure Sutton’s family is properly taken care of, that’s all.”
I narrowed my eyes at him. He was acting strange. But it didn’t seem like he meant any harm by it. There was a lot going on and we still had extra reasons to consider regarding their safety, and their comfort, I suppose. So, I brushed his behavior aside. He’d tell me if there was something wrong.
“I’ll have Elise set them up in an apartment in our wing,” I instructed. “Speaking of Elise, she’ll need to take over the housekeeping in our apartment again now.”
“I still can’t believe little Motty was our spy,” Jaden said, seeming eager to change the subject. “Has she given any indication why she did it?”
“From what I understand, her mother is actually alive back in an asylum in the Hallowed Moon Pack,” I explained. “She did it to get her out. She was lied to, of course.”
“Damn,” Jaden replied. “How did Nell take the news when you spoke to her yesterday?”
“Not well,” I said, remembering the devastating encounter I’d had with the poor woman. “She pleaded for Motty’s life.”
“And…”
“And I told her it wasn’t up to me,” I stated. “As much as I want to handle this, this is Sutton’s hurdle to deal with. That’s how she wants it.”
“That’s admirable,” Jaden agreed. “But how are YOU dealing with that?”
I sighed. “It’s a struggle,” I said. “I was ready to execute Motty that night. By law, I have the right. But I’m glad Sutton stopped me.”
Jaden raised an eyebrow. “Really?” he pressed. “She set Sutton up to…”
“I know,” I interrupted. “And that’s why she won’t go unpunished. But this isn’t that cut and dry.” I shook my head with another deep sigh. “After Daisy… I wouldn’t have executed her, Jaden. Simply for Jack’s sake. I would have cut her ties or locked her up even. Gotten her the help she needed.”
“But Daisy was born an Ironpaw,” Jaden argued. “And she wasn’t in her right mind. We all knew she was delusional in the end.”
“Can you honestly say that Motty wasn’t in her right mind?” I asked him.
Jaden tisked and shook his head. “Her behavior wasn’t erratic, Luke. It was calculated.”
“And Daisy’s wasn’t?” I snapped. “She sent her son to spy on Sutton. Daisy was desperate to be with me. It may have stemmed from some delusion, but it was a selfish one nonetheless. Motty was desperate to save her mother. At least she was trying to help someone.”
“So she says…”
“Which is why I appreciate the opportunity to question her further,” I remarked. “Trust me… the mood I was in that night, had I confronted her… that wouldn’t have been a possibility. And had I found out that that seventeen-year-old kid was just trying to save her mother from a horrible fate, I would have regretted it. So would Sutton. In fact, it would have broken her heart all over again.”
Jaden lifted his hands in concession.
“Alright,” he replied. “I get your point. You’re right. This won’t be easy to deal with. But it has to be dealt with. Daisy… we managed to keep that quiet. We were presented with a way to twist the story to prevent pack gossip from running rampant. I don’t think we’ll get that chance this time. Sutton’s going to have to make a smart decision, Lucas.”
“What are you trying to say?”
“I love how kind-hearted our Luna is,” my friend stated. “And I think she’s going to be wonderful for our pack. But people are already starting to talk about Motty and what she did. The pack will never abide a traitor going free. As tragic as it is, this is Sutton’s first test.”
I knew what he was saying. And I knew it was true. If she didn’t make a decision that the pack could live with, it would raise concerns.
“I know.”