The Alpha's Stolen Luna - Chapter 217: Chapter 217

: Sutton
I felt terrible for accusing Lucas of those horrible things. I was wrong for that, and he deserved the apology. But my heart was still heavy. So, we decided to take a break from researching for the rest of the day. Instead, we just took some time to enjoy our getaway. We grilled out, made a fire, Lucas and I even went for another run. This time, with Jaden’s directions, we managed to find the waterfall. It was beautiful in the light of the moon. We didn’t find any indication that anything had been hidden there, which was fine with me. Being there was more than enough for me.
We left early the next morning. Taking out time, making a few stops that Lucas or Jaden wanted to show us along the way, we arrived home in the early evening. Tired, but in good spirits. I had called my dad that morning and talked to him about what Lucas had asked him to do. He assured me that he was okay with the request. So, that took a little weight off my shoulders.
He was already gone when we got home. I asked Helene if she wanted to stay in our guest room for a couple of days instead of going back to her apartment alone. She agreed to stay for the night and was following us up to our apartment when we ran into Tarvyn waiting outside the elevator.
“Tarvyn,” Lucas addressed. “Is something wrong?”
He shook his head but pursed his lips, like he was unsure if that was a truthful response or not. With a deep breath, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a paper. Holding it out to me.
“This is from Motty,” he said gruffly.
“What?” Lucas barked, making Tarvyn wince as he grabbed the paper from his hand. “You’re bringing this to us why?”
Tarvyn scratched the back of his neck. “She’s been begging to speak with Luna,” he said. “I think she realizes that’s not likely to happen, so she asked for pen and paper so she could write a letter. I figured it wouldn’t hurt to bring it to you. If you don’t want to read it, you don’t have to. But this way Motty might calm down.”
“Calm down?” I asked.
Tarvyn nodded. “She’s barely stood still since she was locked up. The only reason she isn’t calling out to us anymore is because she’s all but lost her voice doing so.”
“That’s not our problem,” Lucas snapped. “We don’t…”
“No,” I stopped him, taking the letter before he could shove it back at Tarvyn. “I’ll read it.”
“Sutton…”
“I planned on talking to her at some point. When I was ready,” I reminded Lucas. “Maybe this will help.”
Lucas gave me a tight nod before waving Tarvyn off. I noticed the tension return to his posture as we rode the elevator up to our suite. I chewed my lip, knowing it was because he disapproved of me being in contact with Motty at all after what she did. But I needed to handle this my way.
Helene must have also picked up on the shift in Lucas’ demeanor, because she awkwardly excused herself to the guest room as soon as we got home. I told her goodnight and watched her head down the hall. I could feel Lucas’ eyes on me, but I didn’t have anything to say. So, I grabbed my back and went to our bedroom. Lucas wasn’t far behind me.
“Sutton, you don’t have to read that,” he told me.
“I’m well aware of that, Lucas,” I replied calmly.
“Then why do this to yourself?” he asked. “Why bring up that pain again?”
I looked at him curiously. “Do you think I’ve already forgotten it?” I pressed. “That I’ve somehow gotten over what she did? Because that’s not the case. I still very much feel the pain of her betrayal.”
“All the more reason to leave this alone,” Lucas argued. “Motty isn’t going anywhere. She can wait for years if that’s what it takes for you to be ready.”
“Again, I’m aware,” I stated, turning to face him. “But I don’t want to wait that long. Why does it bother you so much that I want to read that letter?”
Lucas sighed, his expression falling as he looked at me sadly. He reached out and cupped my chin, running his thumb gently over my cheek.
“Because… that heart of yours… you’re kind enough to forgive her,” he admitted. “She doesn’t deserve that.”
I took his hand, kissing his palm before squeezing it tightly. I understood where he was coming from. He would never be able to look past Motty’s actions. His view of her was forever tainted. But I couldn’t carry that. Not the same way. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.
“Lucas, forgiveness isn’t about the wrong-doer,” I said gently. “It’s about the victim. It’s about me. I learned a long time ago, that forgiveness matters less to transgressor than to the person who was hurt. A bad person doesn’t actually care about being forgiven and a good person will still struggle with forgiving themselves. But for me… forgiving her would mean I could move on. That I didn’t need to carry that weight so heavily.”
“You make it sound so easy,” he replied, shaking his head.
“It’s not,” I stated. “And I’m not saying I’m in that place yet but… I want to get there. Sooner rather than later. I’ve got too many other things in my life to focus on. Good things. So, if there’s a chance Motty’s letter will give me some better insight into what she was really going through, then there’s a chance it can help me move on. I’m going to take that chance. I’m ready for that.”