The Alpha's Stolen Luna - Chapter 198: Chapter 198

: Lucas
“Ned,” I called out as Jaden and I stepped into his lab.
There was a grunt and a subsequent clattering sound mixed with cursing from across the room. I headed in that direction to find him at a workbench trying to rebalance a pile of scraps.
“Alpha,” he greeted, flustered. “You’re early.”
“By ten minutes,” I told him humorously.
Ned hummed his response, leaving his project behind and heading to his computer desk.
“I’m guessing you’re here about my associate,” he said.
“You said he was willing to talk to us,” Jaden said. “We’re ready to set up a meeting.”
Ned made a face. “Perhaps let’s start with the call,” he stated. “He’s not exactly enthusiastic about dealing with lycans. At least not regarding this business.”
“You let me worry about that,” I told him. “Can you get him on a video chat?”
Ned nodded. Within seconds, we could hear the ringtone as the call waited to connect. A gruff-looking middle-aged man appeared on the screen looking less than impressed with the situation.
“Ned,” he grunted.
“Swift,” Ned replied. “Thank you for answering. I wasn’t sure you would.”
“I owe you a favor. A debt is a debt.”
“Right,” Ned answered anxiously. “Well, this is Alpha Lucas of the Ironpaw Pack. I’ll let you speak to him.”
Ned moved out of the way so I could be in direct view. The guy looked me up and down with a blank expression.
“I hear you have a little problem with some firepower in your territory,” he commented.
“And I hear you’re someone who can answer some questions for us about it,” I replied.
The man grunted. “Maybe. You can call me Swift.”
“Swift?” Jaden commented behind me.
“It’s the only name you need to know,” Swift replied adamantly.
“Of course,” I told him, nudging Jaden. “So, Swift, Ned tells me you’re an expert in firearms.”
“Maybe, but I’m still a bit confused as to why a lycan Alpha is curious about my expertise,” Swift replied. “Guns aren’t allowed in pack territory.”
“You’re right. They aren’t,” I stated. “So, you can imagine my surprise when one showed up and nearly killed my Luna. I have an idea how it ended up here, but I need to know where it came from in the first place. Ned believes you can help us with that.”
Swift crossed his arms over his chest with a heavy sigh.
“Bring me the gun and I’ll see what I can do,” he agreed reluctantly.
“No,” I said. “I need you to come to us.”
Swift snorted. “That’s not going to happen,” he replied. “It’s one thing to give you information on this weapon but to be caught anywhere near a gun in wolf territory… nah. I’m not signing that death sentence.”
I refrained from rolling my eyes.
“I will arrange for safe travel and we’ll meet in a secure location,” I told him. “Ned will make sure of that. No one will ever know you were here. But I’m not leaving my territory with this threat hanging over us and I don’t have time to wait for a better opportunity. I’ll make it worth your while.”
“Ned…?” Swift called.
“I know, I know,” he grumbled. “You’ll be in the clear. I’ll see to it.”
Swift sat quietly for several minutes. I couldn’t blame him for not wanting to come here to discuss this topic. It was dangerous enough for a lycan to have that weapon.
“Fine,” Swift finally said. “When?”
“Today,” I replied. “This afternoon. Send us an address and we’ll send a helicopter. You’ll be home before dark.”
Swift raised an eyebrow. It was the only change in his expression I’d seen the entire conversation. It was a strange juxtaposition from Ned, who wore every thought on his face so easily. It made me curious to know how these two came to know each other. And what kind of favor Ned had done in order to afford this request.
“I better get you an address where you can land a helo,” Swift said before disconnecting the call.
I pulled out my phone to send a message to Max to get the pilot ready to go.
“Um… Alpha, no offense, but how the hell am I going to find us a fully secure location by this afternoon?” Ned asked.
“I already have a place,” I told him, writing down the coordinates. “Trust me. It’s well out of sight. Do a remote sweep first, then you can sweep the cabin once we’re there.”
Ned grumbled something about having to leave his lab but I didn’t really listen as I headed out.
“You really think that guy will be able to tell us anything useful?” Jaden asked as we rode the elevator down.
“No idea,” I said. “I’m sure he’ll be able to tell us something. Whether or not it will be anything we can work with is another question.”
“Why meet so soon?”
“I didn’t want to give him the chance to back out,” I said. “Plus, Hunter said he should be able to get to a safe place today. He’s waiting on our call. If there is anything that traces that gun back to Anders and the Dawn Stalkers, he needs to know.”
“You actually got a hold of him?” Jaden said. “I’m surprised Anders isn’t on high alert right now.”
“Hunter said Anders has been in a pissy mood since he got back,” I told him. “It seems to have him a bit distracted at the moment. Which is why this is our best opportunity to get Hunter a lead. He’s hit a dead end now that he doesn’t have to find the box.”
“What kind of lead do you think this weapon will give us?” Jaden asked. “Even if it did come from a Dawn Stalker, that doesn’t mean there’s more. Hell, it could have just been another way to get to you. Your own pack member killing your Luna with a gun… that would have brought the Council down on your head hard.”
“There’s more to it than that,” I said. “I feel it in my gut. That thing is part of a bigger plan than me and my pack.”