The Alpha's Stolen Luna - Chapter 201: Chapter 201

: Lucas
“What are you going to tell Sutton?” Jaden asked on our way back home. “If you’re bringing her stepdad into the mix, she’s going to want to know what he’s getting into.”
“I’m well aware,” I replied. “But I don’t want to scare her. She doesn’t need to know how bad this is just yet. As far as she will be concerned, her stepfather will be helping out on a lead, which isn’t a lie.”
“If he helps,” Max said. “Anders still has his daughter. If Wesley has any concerns that helping us out would put her in danger, he won’t do it.”
“We’ll cross that road if we need to,” I said. “For now, we’ll see what he knows and who he knows. If all else fails, we remind him that Anders may have Hannah, but we have two of his daughters and Helene’s medical care.”
Jaden’s head snapped toward me.
“You really think that’s necessary?” he said angrily. “Holding a young girl’s health over her father’s head?”
“It’s call leverage, Jaden,” I said.
“I don’t give a fuck what you call, we’re not going there,” he argued. “I’m sure Sutton would agree with me. She’d rip you five ways to Sunday if she knew you were considering stopping Helene’s treatment.”
My brow furrowed. I was taken aback by Jaden’s strong reaction. It’s not like we didn’t threaten worse — or even do worse, when necessary — during the rebellion.
“Who said I would be stopping Helene’s treatment?” I barked. “Or that Sutton would be finding out about it? I’m not the monster I used to be, Jaden, and I am trying hard not to be him again. But we have a major threat on our hands. Arguably the biggest threat we’ve ever faced. That in itself is a threat to all three of his children’s well-being. So, if I have to point that out to him to get what we need, I sure as hell will.”
Jaden recoiled. Almost sulking but accepting the clarification. But his behavior had been odd lately. I wouldn’t say he wasn’t one to question my decisions because he never had an issue with that. However, he rarely ever challenged them. This was a challenge.
“What is up with you lately, man?” I huffed.
“What? I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he snapped. “Nothing’s wrong.”
“Really? Since when do you object to putting pressure on an asset?”
“I don’t…” he retorted. “I mean… I just think it’s pretty low to use your own mate and her sister as leverage at all.”
“Well, then I guess it’s a good damn thing she’s not your mate,” I yelled.
A snarl escaped Jaden’s mouth before he managed to choke down. Then he backed off, crossing his arms over his chest and sliding down in his seat. Pissed off and sulking like a child. I really didn’t know what the hell was going on with…
I swerved the car to the side of the road and slammed on the brakes. Turning toward my best friend. The man who knew more about me than anyone else. Even more than Sutton.
“What the hell, Luke? What’s wrong with you?”
“Jaden… is there something you need to tell me?”
“What…? No,” Jaden blurted out defensively. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I tell you everything.”
“I don’t know, man,” Max said from the backseat, a curious grin on his face. “I think I’m with Lucas on this one. You have seemed a bit… squirrely lately.”
Jaden lip twisted in disgust. “I’ve never been fucking squirrely a day in my life. You’re crazy.”
“We saw Luna and her sister on the way out to the gardens yesterday and you nearly ran in the opposite direction,” Max stated. “That seems pretty squirrely to me.”
Jaden snorted derisively.
“Jaden, do you have something to tell us?” I said more calmly.
I could see his jaw clenched tightly as he huffed through his nose. His posture was tense and closed off. He wasn’t saying anything. I was started to think I’d have to beat the answer out of him when he finally relaxed in defeat.
“Helene… Helene’s my mate,” he admitted.
“Holy shit,” Max said happily. “Why the hell didn’t you say anything?”
“Because she doesn’t know, alright?” he blurted out. “She’s human, remember. They don’t feel the bond like we do. And I don’t plan on telling her.”
“Why the hell not?” I demanded. “Is because she’s sick?”
“No,” Jaden yelled. “How could you think that?”
“I don’t know,” I stated. “Why else would this be such an issue?”
Jaden looked at me with a strained expression. “Because she’s nineteen, man. I’m in my thirties. That just feels… wrong.”
“But your fated mates,” Max argued. “How can that really be an issue here?”
“Again… she’s human,” Jaden said. “A human who just found out from Sutton how dangerous a power dynamic between a human and a lycan can be, especially with that kind of age gap.”
“Come on, we’re younger than Mason,” Max argued.
“That’s not the point,” Jaden barked. “I’m old enough. She’d be terrified by the idea if I told her.”
I chuckled, shaking my head.
“Oh, I’m so glad this is so funny to you,” Jaden snapped. “At least you get to be with your perfect mate.”
“Oh, so you think Helene’s perfect now?” Max teased.
Jaden reached back to punch him but I caught the swing.
“I’m not laughing at you, brother,” I told him. “I’m laughing because I remembered how I felt the exact same way not too long ago, remember?”
Jaden’s shoulders fell. “That’s different, man,” he said.
“No, it’s not,” I argued. “In fact, I’d argue that I had it worse. Sutton was terrified of me the moment she heard my name. Helene blushes every time she hears yours.”
Jaden’s back straightened slightly and I had to suppress a smug grin.
“Really?”
“You were the one who told me I’d never be able to fight it,” I continued. “I’d never be able to let her go. You encouraged me to give her the chance to know the truth. I’d be a pretty shitty friend if I didn’t do the same for you.”