The Alpha's Stolen Luna - Chapter 85: Chapter 85

: Lucas
I held my entire world in my arms. After how the rest of the day had gone, I never would have imagined feeling this happy — this complete — at the end of it. I played with a strand of Sutton’s hair between my fingers. Her breathing was steady against my chest as she slept. The happiness and peace that flowed through our connection was incredible.
Our bond was complete.
Sutton shifted against me, stiffening when she could only move so far before relaxing back against me. She was trying to get more comfortable. I glanced at the bed, wondering if I’d be able to get us there without hurting her.
The knot would take longer to recede this time. After the intensity of what we just did, there was no avoiding it. In hindsight, the small lounge seat probably wasn’t the best idea, but I couldn’t be bothered to regret the choice. Not after seeing Sutton come alive like she did. So, I settled on watching her sleep right where we were.
But it wasn’t long until she stirred awake. She looked up at me with a lazy smile and I leaned in to kiss her.
“How long was I out?” she asked when I pulled away.
“Not long,” I told her. “How are you feeling?”
Her smile widened. “Amazing,” she replied.
“Me too,” I replied, rubbing my nose against hers.
She giggled and snuggled in again, resting her head beneath my chin. Her hand found its way up to the fresh mark she had left. Her fingers traced over the sensitive flesh, sending a bolt of pleasure through me. I covered her hand with mine. If she kept it up, we’d never make it out of this damn chair.
“I’m sorry,” she said, her tone suddenly serious. “I… I didn’t mean to do that.”
I felt concern bridge our connection. She was worried I’d be upset that she had marked me. I wasn’t going to have that. I wouldn’t let any misguided doubts taint what we had just done. Not after what I had seen in her. I grabbed her chin, lifting her face to look at me.
“That was always the plan, Sutton,” I insisted. “I would never accept you wearing my mark without having my own in return.”
She searched my eyes for a moment. She was still learning to feel my emotions through our bond — to feel the conviction in my words. But she got there. A broad smile spread across her face as she pulled me in aggressively. Again, I worried we’d never make it to the bed at this rate. When she finally pulled away, she had a mischievous look in her eye.
“I just wanted to make sure,” she teased.
I growled as I pulled her tighter. “Little minx…”
She hissed as she tried to reposition again. She really was getting uncomfortable. Pressing her to me, I rolled over. Planting my foot on the floor in time to prevent the rest of us from ending up there. With her straddling me now, I managed to sit up and wrap her legs around my waist, making it easier to stand and walk to the bed.
I somehow managed to pull the blankets down, but soon after we tumbled onto the mattress, laughing as I tried to scoot us into a more comfortable position. Once we were settled in, I looked at Sutton. I brushed my knuckles along her cheek as she gazed back at me. Her fingers trailing along my beard.
“So, what happens next?” she asked. “How bad do you think the reaction will be tomorrow?”
“I think Anders and Mason will be pissed,” I admitted. “But I won’t lie that it will bring me great pleasure to see the look on their faces. I’m sure the others will be congratulating us. And there will be no disputing that you are under Ironpaw protection now. Your plan was brilliant, princess.” I grinned at her. “Since I have a feeling this was your plan all along.”
She shrugged. “Only after you told me they were coming,” she conceded with a smile. “But I’d been thinking about it for a while. What about the pack? Won’t they be… disappointed that we didn’t do the whole ceremony thing.”
I chuckled. “We wouldn’t be the first pack leaders to give in to the desire before a formal ceremony,” I told her. “Let alone the first lycans. It shouldn’t phase them. We can still have a mating ceremony but really, as far as the whole pack goes, it’s the Luna Ceremony that means the most to them.”
“I think I can handle that,” she said confidently. “But first, we need to make sure our pack is safe from the Dawn Stalkers. That is why we came here this weekend. Like you said, Anders is going to be mad. We don’t know what kind of backlash we may suffer from it.”
I took a deep breath. It wasn’t the conversation I wanted to have at that particular moment, but I supposed it had to be addressed. If only to make sure she slept soundly that night.
“Up to now, he’s used your disappearance as his excuse to press into our territories,” I reminded her. “Now that excuse is gone. With you marked as the new fated Luna, there is nothing he can do to bring you back under his control. Trying to force it would bring retribution from the Royal Council. His hands are tied.”
“But do you actually believe that was his only reason behind the attacks?” she asked with a knowing tone.
I looked at her curiously. I’d avoided talking to her about the other suspicions we had about Alpha Anders. She shrugged again.
“It’s not hard to figure out he has something big in mind,” she said. “I lived with them long enough to not be surprised.”
I kissed her forehead with a chuckle. “I said you were smart,” I stated. “But yes, we think he is up to something serious. However, this will prevent him from making any major moves for a while. He’ll be under scrutiny once his behavior with you reaches the Council. And it will.”
“Thanks to Soloman, I presume,” she said.
I nodded. “Yes, but I’m done talking about everyone else,” I insisted. My hands moved up to her hips and over her ass. “In fact, I’m done talking.”