The Alpha's Stolen Luna - Chapter 74: Chapter 74

: Lucas
It had been a week since we announced our mateship to the pack. Sutton seemed to be adjusting well. She was learning everything she could about the packhouse and its inner workings. I made sure Elise would make herself available for Sutton whenever she wanted. I think after the incident with Motty, Elise was nervous about keeping her job. She didn’t need to be. Even Sutton has since agreed she is the right woman for the role.
Still, it was a good thing that Sutton was being active. I know she was still anxious about the pack accepting her. It wasn’t in her to take my word that she didn’t need to be.
It also kept her distracted. I’d been focused on the Dawn Stalker mission since the announcement. It was more important than ever to get ears inside the pack. There was another attempt to cross our borders. So I suspected Anders more than suspected she was here now. But I still didn’t have enough information to determine if he knew she was with me. I would have expected him to contact me directly if he had heard the news, but I couldn’t be sure.
I wouldn’t lie that it was frustrating. Sutton had caught on more than once that I was preoccupied, but I always managed to change the subject. She had enough going on and she was finally beginning to thrive. Anders and Mason were my responsibility.
My office phone rang, pulling from my worries.
“Alpha Danvers,” I answered gruffly.
“Alpha, it’s Renward.”
I sat up straighter. “What can I do for you, Alpha?”
“I need you to open your email,” he replied.
My brow furrowed as I turned to my computer. Once I opened my email, it wasn’t hard to figure out what he was referring to.
“You’re calling a conclave?” I questioned. “This early in the year?”
“I think you would agree there has been some… unusual activity along the pack borders lately,” Alpha Renward stated. “It has been causing some concern. I would like to address the issue before it escalates.”
“May I ask who all has been invited to this conclave?” I asked. “If this is regarding borders, I would assume not every Alpha will be in attendance.”
“Correct,” he replied. “Alpha Thane and Alpha Derion will be joining the discussion. Oh, and oddly enough, your Ambassador, Soloman, will be there.”
“Soloman?” I questioned. “He didn’t perhaps put you up to this, did he?”
“You could say he encouraged it,” Renward replied.
I sighed as I sat back in my chair. “Okay, Ren, let’s cut the official speak,” I said. “You believe Anders is up to something.”
There was a reciprocal exhale over the line. “Yeah, and it’s nothing good,” he said. “He’s been causing problems along our border for a while now. Now, there’s this incident with the woman.” He paused. “I have to ask, did you actually find her?”
I tapped my finger on the desk as I considered my response.
“I did,” I said. “When you spoke with Anders, what did he tell you about the situation?”
“Only that there was an attack on Beta Mason’s mate and that she was missing,” he replied. “But we both know Beta Mason. It did cross my mind that she just ran away from that brute. I’m glad you found her before they did. I wouldn’t have sent her back either.”
“There was an attack,” I told him. “She was in pretty bad shape. Before we go into this meeting, you should know — that woman is my mate.”
“I’d offer a congratulations but that complicates things,” he replied.
“More than you know,” I said, pinching the bridge of my nose. I glanced at the invitation on my computer again. “This conclave is in a week.”
“Yes, the concerns are pressing.”
“Relations between the Ironpaws and the Dawn Stalkers won’t be improving anytime soon,” I told him. “This could get bad. So you should take that time to consider if you really want to be involved with my pack right now.”
“Lucas, we’ve been allies since you took over,” he replied. “I backed your rebellion for a reason. I’m sure I know why you are cautioning our association. I can assure you that’s not a reason to distance ourselves from an ally. I expect to see you here in three days. As well as that new mate of yours.”
The corner of my mouth twitched. I wouldn’t turn down a chance to show Sutton off. If it was safe to do so. I trusted the Alphas who would be there. They had been allies from the beginning of, and even before, my takeover. I also wasn’t ready to leave Sutton behind on her own. Being gone those few days the week before had been hard enough. I wasn’t doing that again so soon.
“She’ll be right where she belongs,” I told Renward. “By my side.”
Renward chuckled. “I’ll let Darcy know she’ll be here,” he replied, talking about his own mate and Luna. “We’ll speak soon.”
We disconnected the call. I checked my watch, wondering if it was too early to leave for the day. I was ready to call it when Jaden entered my office.
“We need to talk.”