The Alpha's Stolen Luna - Chapter 204: Chapter 204

: Lucas
“Yeah, Jaden, you should stay,” I insisted, hiding a smug grin on my face.
Jaden stared daggers at me as he struggled to hide a reaction. But even I could hear his heartbeat quicken.
“I wouldn’t want to intrude,” Jaden said through gritted teeth.
“Geez, bro,” Tarrah said. “You’re being even more uptight than usual. It’s just dinner.”
“Yeah, man, it’s just dinner,” I said.
“It’s really not a problem, Jaden,” Sutton insisted as she reorganized the contents of the box. “I had the cafeteria cook for us. I’m sure they’ll send up plenty of food. And Elise should be bringing it up anytime now.”
“I’ve got…”
“Oh, come on, Jaden,” Tarrah said, getting to her feet. “Take a night off. You’re staying. Now, come help me set the table.”
Jaden shot me a look before pushing off the wall to go help his sister. I shook my head, somehow managing not to laugh at his discomfort.
‘Is everything okay?’ Sutton linked me. ‘Did I do something/’
‘Not at all,’ I replied, kissing her temple. ‘He’s just in a mood. I promise it has nothing to do with you.’
Sutton and I helped get the table set up for dinner. Elise arrived with the food just as we were finishing up. I showed mercy and got Jaden a beer while Sutton and Tarrah started to put everything on serving dishes and bringing them to the table. Jaden downed half of it just as the elevator doors opened for Helene and Wesley.
I saw Knox flash in his eyes as Helene’s scent reached us. It didn’t help that Helene smiled and blushed when she saw him, too. She may not know or understand what was happening, but she could feel the bond. Or at the very least, she liked him.
Sutton greeted her family and Jaden’s eyes never left Helene.
‘Brooding over her across the room isn’t going to get you anywhere,’ I linked him with a nudge.
‘You’re a bastard, you know that?’ Jaden replied. ‘You know that being in the same room with her is torture.’
‘It doesn’t have to be,’ I told him. He shot me another seething look. ‘Come on, man. Don’t do this to yourself. Just go talk to her. If you’re so worried about the age thing, fine, but there’s nothing wrong with getting to know her. Be her friend.’
‘Because that wouldn’t drive me crazy,’ Jaden snapped.
‘It will be easier than avoiding her for years,’ Jaden said. ‘How do you think she would feel if she did find out about your bond and that you didn’t even want to be near her? Trust me, if she’s anything like Sutton, she’ll talk herself into believing every possible reason you didn’t want her.’
‘Of course I want her,’ Jaden hissed. ‘I told you. It’s…’
‘Then be her friend, Jaden,’ I told him. ‘Let her make up her own mind. Show her you won’t take advantage of what she doesn’t know.’
Everyone started to take their seats at the table. I shoved Jaden’s shoulder, pushing him towards the empty spot next to Helene.
‘Besides, Sutton’s already caught on to something and I’m going to lie to my mate over this,’ I told him. ‘Give her a reason to give you time.’
Jaden was tense, but he took the seat. As usual, Tarrah got the conversation started as we started to fill our plates. The table was quickly filled with comfortable dialogue as we filled each other in on our days. It was mostly regarding the updates on the planning for Sutton’s Luna ceremony, which suited me just fine. About halfway through dinner, Helene and Jaden were in their own little world. It seemed to be going well. Jaden had relaxed a bit, especially after the first time he’d made Helene laugh.
It was cute seeing him like this. I almost felt bad when the dinner was over and I asked to see him and Wesley in my office. But needs must.
I helped clear the table before heading back to talk. I was going to wait until the morning but he was already here, so I might as well get it over with. I went to the sideboard and poured three glasses of whiskey. Jaden shut the door behind us.
“So, Wesley, how are you settling in?” I asked as I handed him a glass.
He accepted and took a sip.
“Well enough,” he replied. “I certainly can’t complain after what you’ve done for my girls.”
“I’m glad to hear that you’re comfortable,” I said. “And I’m glad I could help. I know how much you both mean to Sutton. She’s happy you two are here.”
“I can’t tell you how much of a relief it is to be close to her again,” Wesley said honestly. “That she would give me another chance. It’s been eating alive ever since you told me about… you know.”
“Yes, I’m sure it has,” I said. “Speaking of making things up to her, I may have an opportunity to help you achieve that.”
“Oh, what is that?” Wesley asked.
I looked at Jaden. I understood why he was uneasy about what I was going to ask Wesley to do, but we both knew it was safer than the alternative. If Wesley could get the information we needed, Hunter wouldn’t have to take such a big risk on his life.
“We have found out some information about Anders today,” I began. “Information that poses an even larger threat to us and possibly other packs. However, we don’t have enough information to properly act on our concerns. It’s vital that we have enough evidence and the right evidence before we bring this to the Royal Council. Otherwise, we would just be putting ourselves in the line of fire.”
“Okay, what do you need me to do?” Wesley asked.
“I need you to go home.”