The Alpha's Stolen Luna - Chapter 212: Chapter 212

: Sutton
My fingers ran over the pages filled with my mother’s handwriting. Helene picked up one of the journals as well, flipping through the pages.
“She was nineteen when she wrote this one,” she said softly. “My age.”
I wrapped an arm around her shoulder and hugged her close. This all meant a lot to her too. It was strange… Helene once told me the felt like she never really knew Mom. She was so young when Mom died, she didn’t have many memories of her. I had felt bad that I, and even Hannah, had gotten more of a chance to know her than her. But now… Now it was like we were both getting to know who she really was together.
“So, another set of clues, I suppose,” Lucas said next to me.
“I guess so,” I said. “But it’s okay. I’ll get to know her better this way. Besides, we’ll probably get some information about what Prince Raphe was supposedly up to back then.”
“True,” Lucas replied, taking the book from my hand and replacing it with the plate. “I guess this means the waterfall isn’t a necessary visit.”
“Guess not,” I said with a shrug. “But we should probably go through things thoroughly before we leave. Just to be on the safe side.”
“Then we should probably get started,” Lucas said, turning the page.
A knot formed in my stomach suddenly. I grabbed the book from his hands. Not wanting him to read the contents. He looked at me in shock.
“These are my mother’s journals. Her diaries,” I said, holding the book to my chest. “These are her most private thoughts. Helene and I will read them.”
Lucas’ expression softened with understanding. He hooked a finger under my chin and leaned in to kiss me.
“Of course, princess,” he whispered with a gentle smile. “I’m here if you need me.”
I squeezed his hand before he got up and left us. I took a deep breath, letting it out slowly as I turned my attention back to the case of journals. Helene was already taking inventory.
“Looks like there are only eight journals,” she stated. “The rest seem to be history books.”
“History books?” I questioned.
“Yeah,” Helene confirmed. “The Lycurian Royal Family, Origin of the Packs of Lycuria, The Cohabitation of Lycans and Humans Over the Centuries… A few others on similar topics.”
I sifted through the books as well, exchanging the journal for one of the history books. I started to flip through it when I noticed something in the margins. Pausing, I saw more of Mom’s handwriting. Throughout the book, there were notes and comments scribbled in the blank spaces.
“Look at this,” I said to Helene. “Apparently, Mom had some opinions about what was written in these books.”
“Or she wasn’t happy about someone else’s opinions,” Helene replied, showing me another book. “There are two different handwritings here.”
I checked out what she was seeing and she was right. It looked like Mom wasn’t the first to read these books. I let out a sigh. Leaning back against a chair as I pushed my hands through my hair.
“This is going to take a while to decipher,” I commented. “Probably even longer than that damn box.”
“Maybe,” Helene said lightly. “But that’s part of the fun. How else will we get to know Mom?”
I looked at my sister as she started to dive into the information in front of us. I felt a smile tug at my lips as I watched her expressions change. I completely understood where she was coming from. I had been hesitant about following through with all of this before today. Well, to be more honest with myself, I had been nervous. Scared even.
But I realized something at that cabin today — I’m not weak anymore. I could handle whatever was thrown at me. Especially with Lucas by my side. He’d shown me just how strong I was.
Nova stomped a foot in my head. I chuckled.
‘And you, too,’ I told her.
‘And don’t you forget it,’ she replied.
I reached in and grabbed another one of the books. “I’ll tell you what,” I said. “I’ll start with the history books, and you start with the journals.”
“You sure?” she asked. “There’s plenty to divvy up.”
I nodded. “Yeah, I’m sure,” I said. “Besides, as a new pack Luna, I really should know more about our nation’s history.”
“Don’t forget a new princess, too,” Helene said. “Arguably, I’d say that was a more important reason to know all this stuff.”
“Yeah, about that…” I said. “You know we can’t tell people about that, right?”
Helene sighed and gave me a look. “Yes, Sutton, I know,” she replied. “Trust me, I don’t want to be pulled into any political drama either. But come on, Sutton… don’t you remember playing dress up when we were kids? Playing pretend? We always dreamed of being princesses. It may have been a childish dream, sure.” Helene laughed. “But you have to admit, it’s pretty cool that it came true.”
I chuckled as I shook my head. “Yeah, it is pretty cool.”
Helene sat back on her heels, her expression becoming serious.
“I… I’ve been thinking about that… you know, the whole royalty thing,” she said. “Hannah… Hannah doesn’t know, does she?”
My shoulders fell. “No. No, she doesn’t,” I said. “She wasn’t exactly open to a heart-to-heart.”
“I get that,” she said. “But…”
“What is it, Helene?”
“Anders knows,” she continued. “It’s not hard to believe he’s keeping Hannah because of that. He’s using her, and she doesn’t even know it.”
Dropping the book in my hand I pulled my sister into an embrace. I squeezed her tightly, not needing to tell her how guilty I still felt about that whole situation.
“I know,” I told her softly. “I know.”