The Alpha's Stolen Luna - Chapter 220: Chapter 220

: Lucas
“But we just got home,” Sutton said after I told her about the call with Raphe. “Can’t this wait a little while longer?”
I sighed. “He didn’t make it sound like a request,” I told her.
Sutton dropped onto the couch, propping her elbows on her knees as she hid her face in her hands. I sat down next to her and draped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her against my chest. I kissed the top of her head as she snuggled in.
“Talk to me, princess,” I said gently. “Are you scared of meeting the king?”
Sutton groaned. “No… maybe… I don’t know,” she said. “I’m still trying to wrap my head around this whole new… family I’m supposed to have. Especially since there’s a possibility that one of them could be a murderer.”
“I doubt that murderer was King Osric,” I said. “And you don’t have to get close to them, baby. But… I think it would be good for you to spend at least a little time with them. If only to make your own judgment on their character. If you hate them — I’ll handle all the excuses.”
Sutton chuckled softly. “That’s a lot of battles you’re offering to fight for me, Alpha.”
I smiled. “That’s my job, princess.”
We sat quietly for a few minutes. I stroked her hair as she rested her head on my chest. It reminded me that I really didn’t want to leave home again so soon either. But I knew this visit wasn’t something we could avoid. So, I was trying to embrace it. I was honest when I said this could be good for Sutton. King Osric still had a good reputation throughout the country, even with his longtime seclusion. She’d been spending a lot of time looking into some of the worst parts of our history. Prince Raphe may not instill the most trust, but I believed King Osric could.
“We should start making arrangements,” I said.
Sutton sighed. “You’re sure we can’t get out of it?”
I shook my head. “Two, maybe three days tops,” I told her. “Then we come home, whether they like it or not. Deal?”
“I guess I can live with that,” she said. She pushed off of me. “It sucks I’ll have to put the research on hold. I doubt it would be a smart plan to bring it all with me.”
“Probably not,” I agreed. “But you have a couple of days, and Helene still seems happy to keep looking for you.”
“Yeah,” Sutton said, chewing on her lip.
“What?”
“Well, I was just wondering… what about Helene?” Sutton asked.
“I know with your dad gone it’ll be hard not to feel like you’re leaving her here on her own, babe, but I’m sure Tarrah will have not trouble keeping her company,” I told her.
“I know,” she replied. “I was more so thinking about this whole family thing. Prince Raphe never mentioned anything about meeting Helene, or even Hannah. He didn’t even offer to step in to get Hannah away from the Dawn Stalkers. He’s shown no interest in them at all. They’re Mom’s kids, too. They’re family, too.”
I frowned. “I guess I hadn’t noticed that,” I said. “Did Helene say something about it?”
“No,” Sutton replied with a sigh, “but I wouldn’t be surprised if she does now. I feel a little bad because I don’t want her to feel left out or rejected. But I’m also kind of glad they haven’t pushed that relationship. At least not until I get to know them some.”
“There’s nothing wrong with that,” I assured her. “It may be the safer option as well.”
Sutton pushed off the couch and headed toward the kitchen.
“I just hope she sees it that way as well,” she said as she grabbed a drink from the fridge. “I mean, I’m still trying to make up for the whole disappearing act from the last five years.”
“Sutton, you know she doesn’t hold that against you,” I admonished, leaning on the counter.
“You know what I mean,” she replied. “Even if she understands how things went with Mason, I didn’t exactly give them the benefit of the doubt once I got away.”
“You had your reasons, Sutton,” I reminded her. “But I understand your concern. The best thing you can do is talk to her. If you think it would be better to bring her along, then we will. The royal family will have to learn sooner or later that they have to accept both of you or they get neither.”
A smile played at Sutton’s lips. She came around the island to stand in front of me. She tugged at the front of my shirt coyly.
“You know… I don’t think I’ve thanked you for how much you’ve done to make Helene feel welcome here,” she said.
I grinned and tugged her toward me, closing the last few inches between us.
“Like I said, that’s my job,” I told her, leaning in to brush my lips along her jawline.
“It’s more than that,” she replied. “All of you have been so kind. Tarrah was no surprise, but even Jaden has been there for her more than I expected. That’s probably why Helene has a little crush on him.”
“Yeah… you mentioned that,” I said, trying not to sound awkward.
“Yeah, I just hope it doesn’t go too far,” she said. “I know how important finding a fated mate is for lycans. I’d hate for Helene to get too attached just for Jaden to have to let her down.”
I groaned inwardly. I had promised Jaden I wouldn’t tell Sutton yet, but it was getting to be a big ask to keep the fact that Helene was his mate from her. I’d have to convince him to let be tell her before she decided to step in on her own.
“I don’t think you have to worry about that yet.”