The Alpha's Stolen Luna - Chapter 205: Chapter 205

: Lucas
“I don’t understand,” Wesley replied slowly.
“You’ve worked with Anders for years,” I explained. “You were one of his primary contacts in the human territory. Is it safe to assume that any connection he has and may work with is one you had a hand in?”
“I suppose so,” Wesley said. “I’ve been his consultant for a while, but I don’t have in-depth knowledge of his business dealings.”
“But you can find out,” I told him. “It wouldn’t be unusual for you to inquire with his contacts what he has been up to. Who he may be talking to that you didn’t know about.”
“I’m still not sure I’m following,” Wesley said. “Is there specific information you are looking for?”
I noticed Wesley’s demeanor shift slightly. He was looking more uncomfortable than I had hoped he would and I was interested to know why. However, it also had me concerned enough to wonder how much I could trust him.
“You tell me,” I suggested. “Is there something think we should know?”
Wesley fidgeted with nervous laughter. “I can’t really think of anything off the top of my head,” he answered. “Not without knowing any specific concerns.”
I shared a look with Jaden. I could tell he sensed the same trepidation I did. I was starting to wonder if Wesley would be a viable asset or not. Right now, I wasn’t sure I could trust him with this task. Regardless of the effect on his daughters or not. He got more uncomfortable under my stare as I tried to read his reaction.
“Let me put it this way — we have evidence that Anders is possibly dealing with items that are highly illegal within pack territory. So, illegal that for the past century, humans have respected those laws, knowing that a violation would threaten the freedom they have within their own territory.”
Wesley swallowed.
“I think you know what I’m talking about, Wesley,” I said firmly. “And I think you may have more information on the subject than you want to admit. But let me make myself clear — if you had any involvement in Anders’ dealings on this matter, now is the time to come clean. I will not put Sutton, or Helene, at risk just to protect you.”
“It’s not about me,” Wesley blurted out. He sighed and fell back in his chair, rubbing his forehead stressfully before meeting my gaze. “He still has my daughter.”
I relaxed a little, seeing the genuine worry and fear in his eyes. I had to remember that regardless of how I, or Sutton, felt about Hannah, Wesley couldn’t let her go so easily.
“I know,” I told him. “This affects her, too. If Anders is planning something even remotely in the realm of our concerns, she will be caught directly in the crossfire. Regardless of your involvement or not. Right now, her best chance is for us to get ahead of this and stop Anders.”
Wesley’s lips pursed as he contemplated what I was saying. After a moment, he leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees as he rubbed his hands over his face.
“Anders approached me about three years ago,” he admitted. “He wanted to know if I could introduce him to one of the leaders of our weapons coalition.”
“Why?” Jaden asked.
“He wouldn’t tell me,” Wesley stated. “I told him I would think about it. See what I could do. I warned him that they probably wouldn’t speak to him in a business capacity. If at all. He said to let him worry about that.”
“So you thought that was fine? That was enough to keep your hands clean, so what harm could it do?” Jaden asked angrily.
“Of course not,” Wesley snapped. “I stalled as long as I could. For months, I told him I excuse after excuse. But he grew impatient and suspicious. He started to catch on to my deceptions. So… so he started to threaten me. He threatened to stop Helene’s treatment.” His eyes met mine. “He threatened Sutton.”
My jaw clenched.
“So, when I confronted you about Mason’s abuse…”
“I swear I didn’t know,” Wesley said sharply. “If she had been mated to Anders, maybe I would have been more suspicious at the time. But I wasn’t. And I’ll never forgive myself for that. But I did what I had to do when I thought I was keeping her out of danger.”
“Fine,” I stated. “So, what did you do and what were the results?”
“I introduced him to an old client,” I said. “Someone involved in the coalition.”
“Why was he an old client?” I asked.
Wesley fidgeted. “I stopped working with him because I… didn’t care for some of his associates.”
“Let me guess — they were less than legitimate business men?”
Wesley nodded. “I won’t say that never towed the legal line before, but I had my limits. And my integrity. And three children I couldn’t leave orphaned. But I had to introduce him to someone and I figured the best thing was to make is someone I could wash my hands from once I did. Crowley had enough contacts on his own to get what Anders needed. He wouldn’t need me after that.”
“Alright,” I said. “I believe you. But that leads us back to what I need from you.”
Wesley hung his head a little. “You want me to reach back out to Crowley…”
“I want you to go home and find out exactly who Anders is working with,” I stated. “If that starts with this Crowley guy, then so be it. But we need names, occupations, dates, whatever you can get. And I need it on paper. We need a hard trail to follow and soon. Whatever Anders is planning, it’s big. And it’s deadly.”