The Alpha's Stolen Luna - Chapter 203: Chapter 203

: Sutton
“You do?” I replied, scooting closer to look at the picture in her hand.
“I may be wrong, but this place is certainly familiar,” she said. “See this rock formation in the background by the water?”
“Yeah.”
“Well, do you remember the lake I told you Jaden and I used to go camping at when we were kids?”
“You think this is the same place?” I questioned as my heart rate picked up in excitement. “But didn’t you say that was in human territory.”
Tarrah nodded. “What better place to get away from the lycan royal family? And I could swear that lake had a rock formation just like that. It was near a waterfall. There were several cabins in the area.”
“So, you think their secret space was one of the cabins?” I asked, searching back through the pile for a specific photo.
“It’s possible,” she replied. “If I have the right place.”
“Well, does… this help?”
I snatched the picture I was looking for and showed Tarrah. It was my mother curled up in a chair next to a window. The wood paneled walls looked like they could belong in a lakeside cabin. The window had blue checkered curtains and I could see a forest through the glass.
“Actually, yeah,” Tarrah said. “Again, it’s not for certain. But we stayed in two, maybe three different cabins along the lake over the years and that décor looks a lot like the rest.”
“Okay, then…” I said, feeling a little surprised that we had found such a strong lead. “Well, I guess we have a place to start. Do you think that where this Korrina person is living now?”
Tarrah shrugged. “Maybe,” she said. “All we can do is check it out.”
The elevator dinged and I sensed Lucas come into the apartment. Jaden was with him as he came into the living room.
“Perfect timing,” Tarrah announced. “Does this look familiar to you too? The location. Not the people.”
Tarrah handed him the photograph. Taking it he, Jaden examined the image carefully. His brow furrowing as he searched his memory.
“It looks like the lake, doesn’t it?” Tarrah pressed.
“Yeah, I guess it does,” Jaden said. “I haven’t thought that place in a long time.”
“Well, we think that’s where Sutton’s mom wants her to go,” Tarrah stated.
“How did you come to that?” Lucas asked, sitting down next to me.
“My parents’ letters mention their secret place a lot,” I explained. “And a lot of these pictures look like they were taken in the same place. If it meant so much to her, it wouldn’t be hard believe she’d send me there. The question is — is this where Korinna is?”
“Where is this lake you’re talking about?” Lucas asked.
“Just past the southern border,” Jaden said. “In the old rogue territory.”
“Rogue territory?” I commented. “I thought it was human territory?”
“It is now,” Lucas said. “It was originally designated for rogues a long time ago but they ended up migrating out of the area for some reason. Rogues moved out, humans moved in. It cleaned up the area, so we didn’t mind.”
“So does that mean it’s technically Ironpaw territory?” I asked.
“Not really,” Jaden said. “We could take authority over it if we wished because the crown has not given it over to the humans, but our southern border has been officially drawn for decades. So we don’t have any real control over what happens to the land.”
“Since the community doesn’t bother us, we don’t bother them,” Lucas said.
“That’s probably why they’re so welcoming to lycans,” Tarrah said.
“So… it’s not human territory but it’s not pack territory either,” I recapped. “They’re familiar with and accepting of lycans in the area, but lycans leave it to it’s own devices. Does that sound like a good place for a lycan to go into hiding to any of you?”
“It could be,” Lucas said.
“But…”
“But I wouldn’t get your hopes up just yet,” Lucas said.
“Why not?”
“I got the impression from your mom’s letter that this would take some time to figure out,” Lucas said. “And while it might be a good place for Korinna to settle down, it wouldn’t exactly be the last place someone would look for her either. Especially if anyone knew or figured out the connection to your parents.”
“So, what? You think it’s just a dead end?” I asked, a little disappointed.
“Not necessarily,” Lucas said. “I think you’re right about your mother wanting to send in that direction. And I agree that it’s worth checking out. I just wouldn’t expect to find Korinna just yet.”
I let out a long sigh. He had a good point. And my mom’s letter did kind of make it sound like there would be a number of clues to follow.
“Well, that means this business is just getting started, I guess,” I said out loud. “So, how soon do you think we can check it out?”
“I’ve got some business to deal with first thing in the morning,” Lucas said. “But we should be able to head out late tomorrow morning. We’d get there a bit late but I can book us one of the cabins.”
“Really? We can go that soon?” I asked excitedly.
“I don’t see why not,” Lucas said.
“Maybe Helene and Dad can come with,” I said. It might be fun to let them see more of the territory on the way down. “I’ll see if they’re up for it when they come up for dinner.”
“Your sister’s coming for dinner?” Jaden asked.
“Yeah, they should be up soon,” I said. “You should stay. I know she’d be happy to see you again.”