The Alpha's Stolen Luna - Chapter 210: Chapter 210

: Lucas
Using Willy’s directions, I drove us out toward the cabin. It was in a more remote location compared to the rest, although we could still see the lake through the trees as we approached. The road was rougher getting up to it. It was an ideal location for a lycan to find privacy from neighboring humans, or lycans, should the case be.
I angled the truck between the cabin and the tree line. It was a tighter fit than our cabin. The trees and brush had crept up on the old building over the years. It was clearly more dated than their other cabins. Still, it showed signs of regular repair and maintenance. I hoped that didn’t mean whatever Leanetta sent us here for was long gone.
I could tell Sutton had the same concerns but I didn’t want to voice them. She needed to see this through. If we came to a dead end, then we came to a dead end. Although, I was prepared to put my own resources into tracking down this Korinna woman if necessary. If only to find out what kind of information she had against Prince Raphe.
I watched Sutton walk up the small porch stairs and unlock the door. We stepped inside, greeted by the stale air of a room that hadn’t been entered in a while. Helene had been holding the pictures and started to sift through them.
“This looks like the place,” she confirmed. “Thank goodness for extensive bookkeeping and a good memory.”
It was smaller than ours but comfortable. There was no loft in this cabin. Just the one bedroom and a tiny bathroom. There wasn’t anything particularly special about the place, but I knew that could easily change with the right company to share the space with.
That’s when I noticed it. The odd, unexpected happiness I felt seep through our bond. I turned to Sutton and our eyes met. There was a smile on her face as she suddenly wrapped her arms around my waist, hugging me tightly. Rhonen nearly purred at the pure affection we were feeling from our mate in that moment.
“What was that for?” I asked, not that I was complaining.
“I’ll tell you later,” she said, pulling away after kissing my cheek. “Let’s look around and see if we can’t figure out whatever it is we’re supposed to.”
The three of us took different locations throughout the cabinet, trying to find something to point us in the right direction. I decided to check outside, thinking that hiding something inside would risk someone else stumbling across whatever we were looking for.
I looked for anything that seemed out of place. Thought that wouldn’t be easy for something that had been here for so long already. Still, I wasn’t having much luck. There were no rock formations, no strange plants or trees, no obvious changes in the ground. Even Rhonen tried to suss out any unusual scents in the area. Nothing. It wasn’t until I walked around to the back of the cabin that I finally noticed something promising.
‘I think I found something,’ I linked Sutton.
I was pulling some of the tall weeds out of the way when Sutton and Helene joined me. I was uncovering some kind of symbol carved into the boards at the base of the cabin. It was a bit worn but still clear enough.
“I haven’t found any other carvings anywhere,” I said. “So, I’m guessing this could be helpful.”
“You may just be right, Lucas,” Helene said, pulling out the photos.
“I’ve seen that before,” Sutton commented. “More than once.”
“Like right here,” Helene said, holding up the back of the photo with Korinna’s initial on it. “I think we may need to do some digging. Did either of you think to bring a shovel?”
I chuckled. “I’ve got something better.”
Sutton pulled Helene back a few steps, knowing exactly what I had in mind. I gave control over to Rhonen and shifted. He snuffed at the ground, shoving his snout among the weeds and brush around the symbol. Sure enough, somewhere beneath the surface was a smell that didn’t seem to belong.
Rhonen started to dig. His large paws and sharp claws made easy work of the dry ground. It only took a few minutes to get about a foot deep when we felt the ground change. A dull hollow sound thudded as Rhonen swiped at the dirt. Pretty soon, I had a metal container almost completely uncovered.
Satisfied with his work, Rhonen gave me control once again and I shifted back. Reaching into the freshly dug hole, I found a handle at the side and gave it a strong pull. It took a few tugs but I managed to get it out without too much effort.
Sutton and Helene knelt down and helped me brush more of the dirt and debris away. Etched into the top of the case was the same symbol as the carving and the photo.
“I think this is what we were looking for,” I commented.
Sutton tested the lid. “So, how do we open it?” she questioned. “It’s pretty stuck.”
“Well, it’s still pretty dirty,” I said. “And there could be a seal from being buried for so long. Let’s get into the truck and take it back to the cabin. We’ll get it cleaned up and get a better look.”
I got to my feet and lifted the case, heading back around the cabin. Sutton dropped the tailgate for me and I loaded up while Helene got in the cab. I closed the tailgate and noticed Sutton looking back at the cabin. I pressed as hand to the small of her back.
“What are you thinking?” I whispered, brushing her hair over her shoulder.
The same smile I’d seen earlier spread across her face.
“How lucky I am,” she said.
I chuckled. “And what brought that on?”
She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I escaped from a cabin much like this one. A few months ago… stepping foot in there would have had me on my knees. I would have never been able to see it as a place filled with happy memories of my parents.”
“But that didn’t happen,” I reminded her.
She looked up at me, leaning into my embrace. “Thanks to you.”