The Alpha's Stolen Luna - Chapter 219: Chapter 219

: Lucas
Sutton told me her decision after meeting with Motty. I wasn’t entirely pleased with simply banishing Motty from the pack. But seeing as that is what I would have done with Daisy, I respected Sutton’s position. It wasn’t my preferred punishment but I would be content with it.
Taking a helicopter the next morning, Jaden and I flew Motty to the edge of the territory. Sutton decided not to come with us, which I wasn’t going to argue with. She would have a hard enough time feeling Motty’s tether being severed. That was something neither of us could avoid. It would be painful for Sutton, regardless of the situation.
We landed in an open field miles away from any town. As I jumped our, I could smell the scent of rogue in the area. It wasn’t strong, but it was enough to know they travelled through these parts. Jaden pulled Motty from the helicopter. Dragging her toward the tree line before cutting her bonds. She didn’t fight. She didn’t try to run. She just hung her head and waited for the inevitable.
“Do you have anything you would like to say?” Jaden asked.
Motty shook her head without looking up. Rhonen was at the forefront of my mind, standing tall as he accepted what was coming next.
“Martha Hendrix, I, Alpha Lucas Danvers, hereby sever your ties to me and Ironpaw Pack,” I stated, feeling the sharp pang in my chest as her tether frayed. “You are no longer welcome in Ironpaw territory, never to pass our borders again on pain of death. You are, from here on, a rogue wolf.”
The tether snapped. I didn’t respond to the pain, embracing it as vindication. But Motty fell to her knees, gripping her chest as a single sob escaped. Then she cried out, shifting into her wolf as it howled in anguish before running into the woods.
I didn’t relish the sight. Perhaps I thought I would. After what she did to my mate, who took her in and gave her a home, I should have. I should have felt some satisfaction. But I didn’t. Instead, I was struck with just how… tragic this situation was. Rhonen’s tail hung between his legs as he reconciled the loss.
“You okay?” Jaden asked sadly.
“This should never have had to happen,” I replied. “She was put in a helpless situation.”
Jaden sighed. “I wondered if you could see that,” he said. “Or if you were blinded by what happened to Sutton.”
“I don’t regret this outcome,” I stated, my gaze stuck on the path Motty had took. “She was used and she was given a raw deal, but that doesn’t negate the consequences of her actions. Whatever she believed, she did have a choice. But yes, I can see that neither choice was the right choice.”
Jaden nodded. “It’s a shame she trusted the wrong person.”
I stared at the trees for a few more minutes before turning to head back to the waiting helicopter. My phone rang in my pocket as I crossed the field. I figured it was Sutton. She would probably be upset after experiencing the severing for the first time. But when I pulled my phone out of my pocket and saw the name on the screen, I froze.
It was Prince Raphe.
This was the first time I’d heard from him since we left the capital. A part of me had hoped he had lost interest in Sutton and I and was just letting the whole thing go. Even Rhonen huffed and rolled his eyes at such a foolish wish. That being said, I knew it would be a bad idea to ignore the call, whatever it was about.
“Hello,” I answered gruffly.
“Alpha Lucas,” the prince greeted. “I hope I haven’t caught you at a bad time.”
I didn’t hide my grimace but managed to keep my annoyance out of my tone.
“Not at all,” I replied. “What can I do for you, your grace?”
“Well, I was just letting you know that I received your invitation,” he said. “I was under the impression that Sutton’s Luna ceremony wasn’t planned until the end of the summer. It seems you have decided to push that date up.”
“That is correct,” I stated.
“Less than three weeks from now,” he said curiously. “I hope you weren’t expecting this to dissuade my attendance.”
“Of course not, your grace,” I told him. “After our near-death experience at the capital, Sutton and I simply decided that life was too short to put off something so important. She will be happy to see you there. Unless you have something more pressing to attend to?”
“Alpha, nothing is more pressing than seeing my niece take her place as the Luna of one of our packs,” Raphe replied. His tone became more serious. “How is my niece?”
“Recovered,” I told him truthfully. “But you are welcome to determine that for yourself. She has been expecting a call from you after our last conversation together.”
“Yes, something I will remedy very soon,” he stated. There was a pause before he spoke again. “I wanted to speak with you first. This change in scheduling poses a conundrum for me.”
“How so?”
“Well, I still have not told my father about our long lost family member,” he continued. “But he has… taken his own interest in our young Luna. After hearing the events of the summit, his curiosity was piqued. He started asking questions and looking into Sutton.”
“Do you think he suspects who she is?” I asked, feeling a knot form in my stomach.
“I think he has a growing fascination with Sutton that he can’t explain,” Raphe said. “While I don’t expect him to personally attend the ceremony, he will watch the broadcast. I would rather he not drive himself crazy over the resemblance he will see.”
“What are you saying?”
“I want Sutton to return to the capital,” Raphe stated. “You are welcome to accompany her, of course. But I want her hear by the end of the week. It’s time she met her grandfather.”