Chapter 81: Sutton

“You don’t have to do this, Luna,” Motty said again as she finished helping me with my hair. “Like Alpha Lucas said, you can just leave. Alpha Anders will never have to know you were here.”

I reached up and took her hand from over my shoulder, giving her a reassuring smile.

“I’m okay,” I told her. “I promise. I need to do this.”

She squeezed my hand in response. There was a soft knock on the bathroom door.

“Sutton, it’s time to head down,” Lucas said from the other side.

“Coming.”

I stepped out of the bathroom to meet him. Our eyes locked. I knew he was resisting the urge to ask if I was ready. It was more for his sake than mine. I wondered if I was being a little selfish because he didn’t seem ready to put me in this position.

‘He never will be, Sutton,’ Nova pointed out.

Lucas hooked a finger under my chin and pulled me in for a kiss. I smiled when he pulled away. I hooked my arm in his, letting him know I was ready to go. Jaden was waiting for us by the door. He and Motty flanked each of us as we made our way down the hall.

I’d like to say it wasn’t taking too much effort to keep my body from shaking. I’d like to say I didn’t have to focus on keeping my heart rate down with every step. I’d like to say panic wasn’t slowly creeping in the closer we got to the dining room. But I couldn’t. By the time we made it to the main entrance, almost all of my focus was on keeping my breathing steady.

Alpha Renward and Luna Darcy were there waiting for us, along with several other people, including Ambassador Soloman. For some reason, Nova took a particular interest in the man. And for some strange reason, I felt just a little bit calmer with him there. But I didn’t have time to contemplate that as Luna Darcy jumped into introductions.

There were plenty of polite smiles, but I couldn’t miss the tension in the room. Lucas had told me everyone was just as surprised about Alpha Anders’ uninvited visit as we were. I was sure they were worried it could easily turn into a bloodbath.

So was I.

Even I understood why that couldn’t happen. The political implications of it alone were dangerous enough. That’s why Nova and I felt this was the right place to do this. We were technically on neutral territory at this point. At least neutral between the Ironpaw and Dawn Stalker packs. If either Alpha made a direct move against the other, they would have to be brought before the Royal Council. Potentially losing their role as leaders of their packs and even being imprisoned. Lucas was confident that Anders wouldn’t take that risk because it would bring a lot of scrutiny to his activities within his borders. Ruining whatever he was planning.

While all of that helped me feel physically safer, it did very little to stem my anxiety about the mental toll this was going to take. I was terrified I’d end up paralyzed by memories. Making a fool of myself and Lucas. I couldn’t give him that power but, of all the doubts I had, keeping that from happening was the biggest.

So, I clung to Nova. Holding onto her strength and clarity until the inevitable happened.

“So, it’s true,” a deep familiar voice sent chills down my spine.

I caught his scent even before we all finished turning. Somehow our eyes were the ones that locked immediately. The look in Mason’s eyes was a mix of rage and sick satisfaction. I gripped Lucas’ arm to hide my shaking hands.

“Alpha Anders, Beta Mason, what are you doing here?” Alpha Renward enquired, feigning surprise as he stepped forward.

“I heard there was some kind of gathering between my neighbors happening this weekend,” Alpha Anders replied as he confidently strode toward us. “I thought surely I just missed the invite. So, I thought I’d remedy the situation myself. No fuss needed. Because I’m sure all this is about splitting the award for finding my Beta’s mate. Since I know you all wouldn’t conspire to keep her from him.”

Lucas stifled a growl. He tried to pull me behind him but my feet were planted in place.

“And I can assure you, Alpha,” Renward continued, “that I have no idea who you’re talking…”

“She’s standing right there,” Mason yelled angrily, pointing at me. “He’s kidnapped my mate.”

“She’s not your mate,” Lucas snapped furiously. “She’s mine. If you even try to lay…”

“Gentleman,” Soloman called, stepping between the two, “this isn’t necessary. There is a simple solution to this. The young woman has a voice, does she not?” He turned to me. “Ms. Langston, is Beta Mason, in fact, your mate?”

Alpha Anders managed to keep his cold, blank expression with the exception of a subtly tightening of his jaw. While Mason gave me a threatening look. A look that somehow stirred the defiance it had in the beginning of our relationship. I straightened, lifting my chin as I prepared to answer.

“No,” I stated confidently. “Beta Mason is not my mate.”

“You lying little bitch,” Mason hissed. “My mark is on your neck.”

Anders’ arm shot in front of his chest, holding him back.

“I’m afraid he is telling the truth,” Anders stated. “She does bear my Beta’s mark. I witnessed the event myself.”

My eyes shifted to Anders. “Do I?”

His head shot back to me. His façade slipping slightly. My plan was going to work. I was going to be free of them once and for all.

I took a step forward and pushed my hair out of the way. I had strategically chosen a dress that left my neck bare, showing the entire room that I had no such mark on my flesh.

A roar echoed through the room as I felt a hand on my throat, another on my arm, as Mason’s sickening scent engulfed me. But as soon as they were there, they were gone. Followed by a loud, echoing thud.