The Alpha's Stolen Luna - Chapter 77: Chapter 77

: Sutton
It was still a few days before we would leave for the conclave at the Silverstreak Pack. I was getting nervous. I suddenly felt very inadequate whenever I thought about meeting everyone, let alone sitting in on the meeting as Lucas insisted.
It didn’t help that Tarrah was out of town. Her mate, Denny, got some time off from work and wanted to go home instead of coming out to Thorncrest. I couldn’t blame either of them. Tarrah hanging around had been a huge favor and she only lived about an hour away. We would see each other again soon.
In the meantime, she convinced me that doing a little shopping may go a long way to helping my nerves. According to her, looking the part goes a long way to feeling it. I wasn’t so sure, but it was worth a try. So, once Motty was done with school for the day, I picked her up and had her point out the closest high-end shop. I was browsing a selection of dress suites while Motty was off keeping the associate busy when someone came up behind me.
“Sutton…”
I turned and my heart fell to my stomach. I wasn’t expecting to see her and had no idea what she wanted. She winced slightly before speaking again.
“Luna,” Seraphina corrected.
“Seraphina,” I greeted stiffly. Nova crept up to the surface of my mind. She was on the defensive, but I sensed more curiosity than disdain from her. “Is there something I can help you with?”
She sighed heavily. Her shoulders fell and her head hung slightly. “Yes, actually,” she began, “you can let me apologize.”
That’s not what I expected to hear. Still, I kept my guard up. Looking for a quick escape. I wasn’t in the mood for this woman to humiliate me again. Crossing my arms in front of me, I gave her a short nod to continue.
“I am so sorry for the way I acted at the bar,” she said. “I am so ashamed of my behavior. It was… beyond unacceptable. Please, I hope you can forgive me.”
I straightened. My eyes narrowed slightly as I tried to read her intentions. She seemed sincere enough, but I wasn’t convinced. Trust still wasn’t something that came easy for me, especially if someone had already done something to break it.
“I’m not going to put a word in for you to get in good graces with Lucas again, if that’s why you’re doing this,” I told her decisively.
Her eyes widened. “No,” she insisted. “Oh my gosh, no. That’s not what…” She winced and took a deep breath. “Even if you did, I highly doubt it would change his current opinion of me. He’s not a forgiving person. Not when someone has truly wronged him.”
“And you believe you did?” I pressed.
“Yes,” she stated. “And you. And I’m deeply, deeply sorry. Truly.”
I nodded slightly, acknowledging her words. I wasn’t sure what else to say, so a silence lingered between us briefly. She fidgeted with her hands for a minute before speaking again.
“I’m sorry for disturbing you, Luna,” she said gently. “I’ll leave you alone.”
She looked so dejected as she turned away that I felt a tug in my chest. Nova was annoyingly quiet. Still looking on curiously. Sera really did seem genuine. And like she had more to say. Truth be told, I was curious.
“Why?” I suddenly blurted out, making her stop in her tracks. She turned back expectedly. “Why did you tell me those things?”
“I didn’t know…” she rushed, stepped back in front of me. “I didn’t realize who you were. The way the rumors were flying… the fact that he didn’t introduce you to anyone when he brought you here… I don’t know. I guess it was easy to convince myself he was stringing you along. But once I saw the announcement, I felt horrible. I knew how badly I screwed up.”
“That still doesn’t really tell me why you felt the need to do what you did,” I said. “Even if he was, as you say, stringing me along, it wasn’t any of your business.”
“You’re right,” she agreed. “It wasn’t. I can admit that I was motivated by anger and disappointment but not for the reasons you think. I love Lucas as my Alpha and I still care about him as a friend, but nothing more. I swear.”
“So, why were you so angry and disappointed that you felt the need to confront me?” I asked again.
“Because of the rumors,” she admitted. “Everyone was saying how… different he seemed when they saw you two together. I know how much finding his fated mate meant to him. He’s kept to that for so long. I guess I was worried that he was giving in… to the loneliness. He’ll never admit it but I knew it bothered him sometimes.”
“And it never crossed your mind that we could have been fated?” I pointed out. “Just because we didn’t burst into the packhouse yelling it from the rooftops that couldn’t be possible?”
She winced again. “I know,” she went on. “I should have considered it. Maybe I didn’t want to or something but…”
“Maybe you’re jealous,” I said. “Why shouldn’t I believe this isn’t some attempt to get close to him again?”
“I swear, Sutton, that’s not what this is,” she said. “Yeah, okay, maybe I was in denial and maybe I am jealous but only… only because I haven’t found my mate yet.” She sighed and met my eyes. “But I can’t tell you how happy I am for the two of you. If anyone deserves their fate mate — it’s Lucas.”
There was honesty in her eyes. I couldn’t deny it, but I was still a little hesitant.
“Besides, I would have hated being a Luna,” she said with a nervous laugh. “I was never the natural you obviously are.”
I snorted. “Now you’re just pandering,” I said, but I couldn’t help the slight grin and blush.
Sera smiled a little. “Not at all,” she assured me.
“Well, if that were the case, I wouldn’t be struggling just to find something to wear to meet some of the other Alphas,” I commented, turning back to the clothing rack.
“You know, I’d be happy to help you out,” she offered. “Give you some pointers. You could let me buy you dinner. It’s the least I could do.”
I chewed my lip. She did have more experience with the position than the other women I was close with. Even if it was never in any official capacity. I could use any bit of advice I could get. And I could always talk it over with Lucas to make sure.
“Okay.”