The Alpha's Stolen Luna - Chapter 98: Chapter 98

: Sutton
My days were slowly starting to find some routine. When Lucas had encouraged me to dive into this garden project, he really meant it. He helped me when he could, including with interviews and making final decisions on a contractor and suppliers. Within a week, we were ready to start clearing ground.
Jack had settled in faster than we expected. He seemed to be enjoying the activities Lucas had signed him up for. He’d even started to talk to me a bit. It was still mostly short sentences, but it was more than when he first came here, which meant a lot to me. And it was good that he was feeling more comfortable because Aunt Lara’s visit had been delayed. She wouldn’t be here for a couple more days. But the three of us seemed to be adapting well enough.
It was late afternoon when I was making a quick sandwich back at the apartment before returning to the field. We had cleared almost an acre already and Tanjie, my landscape contractor, said we could start mapping the area. I had just taken a bite of my food when Jack and Lucas got home. Jack headed straight to his room while Lucas was on the phone as he came into the apartment. His expression didn’t seem pleased.
“I’ll be there,” he stated stiffly before hanging up.
“Everything okay?” I asked.
Lucas’ expression turned apologetic. “Yes and no,” he said. “I have to make a quick trip out of town.”
“Out of town?” I asked.
“Just to Port Sever,” he said. “Apparently there’s some kind of protest going on with one of the shipping companies. I have to go put whatever is going on to rest.”
“Where is Port Sever?” I asked. “When will you be back?”
He came around the kitchen counter and pulled me in by the waist.
“It’s only about an hour away,” he informed me. “I should be home tonight, but it will likely be really late.”
“Oh, okay,” I said. “That’s not so bad. I think I can manage without you for that long.”
“I’m going to pretend you didn’t say that,” he teased. “But we have another issue.” He looked toward Jack’s room. “I can’t take him with. Jaden will be with me and Max is still at the border. Are you okay hanging out with him tonight?”
I tried to hide my disappointment. It wasn’t about having to be with Jack, but more so my eagerness to keep working. But I doubted Jack would be interested in doing that.
“Yeah,” I said with a forced smiled. “As long as he’s okay with that. Although, I guess he’s stuck with me regardless.”
“You two will be just fine,” Lucas encouraged. “But I better get going. The sooner I get this handled the sooner I’ll get back to you.”
“Then please, go,” I said, pushing him away playfully.
He gave me a good long kiss before heading back out. I sighed once he was gone, wondering if I should go pull Jack from his room. I didn’t have to make the decision though, because he came down the hall a moment later, going straight to the fridge.
“I guess it’s just you and me tonight, kiddo,” I said, trying to sound cheery. “Would you like me to make you something to eat?”
“No, thanks,” he replied, grabbing the sandwich stuff and setting it on the counter.
He made his sandwich and we ate in silence. It wasn’t as awkward as it first was. I think we kind of came to an unspoken understanding that we just didn’t have much to say to each other yet.
‘Hey, Luna, are you heading back soon?’ Tanjie linked me.
‘Um, there’s been a slight change of plans, so I’m not sure,’ I replied.
‘Well, you may want to make it happen,’ she said. ‘We just hit an unexpected obstacle you’re going to want to take a look at.’
‘Oh, no,’ I replied. ‘Is it bad?’
‘That depends on what you decide to do with it,’ she replied, her tone sounding positive. ‘But it’s definitely interesting.’
I bit my lip. Jack was old enough to stay in the apartment on his own. I wasn’t worried about his safety if I left him for a few minutes. I wouldn’t even be leaving the packhouse grounds, after all. But I still felt guilty considering it.
“Hey, kid,” I said. “My landscaper just mind-linked me saying they found something interesting on the garden site. It seemed like it might be kind of interesting. Do you maybe want to come down with me and check it out?”
I didn’t know why I was nervous but my heart was beating fast as I waited for his answer. He took a bite of his sandwich and thought for a minute. Finally he shrugged.
“Sure,” he replied.
“Yeah?” I said in surprise. “Okay, then. Let’s take these to go.”
We headed down to the work site. I was pointed in Tanjie’s direction by a couple of workers. When I approached her, she was bouncing on the balls of her feet and looking like she might come out of her skin.
“Oh, my gosh,” I exclaimed. “I’m so glad you could get back. I don’t think I could have waited until tomorrow.”
“What is going on?” I laughed. “I’m guessing this find was better than you originally thought.”
“Just come look.”
Tanjie led us to a section near the middle of the site. It was along the edge of the already cleared area where are particularly dense amount of overgrowth had been. A chunk had been cut away and as we got closer I could make out a stone structure near the ground. When we were right up on, Tanjie pulled some more bushes aside to reveal the remains of the structure and I immediately knew why she was so excited.
“It’s a fountain,” she practically squealed. “But not just a fountain but THE fountain. At least, I ‘m pretty sure.”
“What do you mean THE fountain?” I enquired.
“This estate is nearly as old as the country,” Tanjie said. “The youngest wing is still a few hundred years old. Remember how I said this was a great site because I thought it was where the original gardens were?”
“Yeah,” I replied.
“Well, this is as much proof as I need,” she said with a broad smile. “This was the fountain Alpha Baron Harkin built for his mate.”