Chapter 88: Sutton

Alpha Anders stalked out of the room. I should have just let him go. I should have just been grateful that I was free of him. At least for the time being. But I couldn’t. He had tormented me for years. He had let that monster abuse me for years. I was no longer satisfied with just being rid of him.

Without a word, I turned and followed after him. Lucas called after me but I didn’t listen. He was on my heels anyway.

“Alpha Anders,” I called once I was in the entrance hall. “Where is it?”

Anders dropped his pretense. His expression no longer hid his complete disdain and hatred for me. Still, he put an arm out to stop Mason from coming at me.

“What on earth are you talking about?” he snarled.

“The box,” I demanded. “The box my father sent to me. Where is it?” His eyes narrowed at me with curiosity. “For years, I was too afraid to ask about it. I made the excuse that it just got lost on the way. But I know you have it. Give it to me.”

Anders snorted. “You pathetic little girl, I destroyed that thing years ago,” he lied.

“Why?” I feigned heartbreak. “Why couldn’t you just let me have it?”

“Why would I bother?” he said. “You never could get it through your head that I had better things to do than cater to a pathetic human.” Nova growled, bearing her teeth as she pushed forward in my mind. “Bringing you into my pack was only a means to an end. A favor to your sad little stepfather who couldn’t wait to be rid of you.”

My claws extended. I felt Nova pushing the shift. I had to focus to keep her under control. I couldn’t slip up. Lucas put a possessive arm around my waist, urging me to calm down. Anders’ lip lifted with amusement.

“So it’s true,” he sang. “You brought out her wolf. My, my, I’m almost impressed, Alpha. You’ll have to tell me how you did it.”

“Not a chance, Anders,” Lucas growled.

Anders shrugged, seemingly unphased by Lucas refusing to use his title.

“Suit yourself,” he replied, keeping his eyes on mine. “I’ll just have to figure out how to bring out your sister’s wolf my own way.”

I felt the blood drain from my face. My heartbeat jumped to my ears as I questioned if I’d heard him right. I didn’t even realize I lunged at him until Lucas was holding me back.

“Don’t you fucking touch my sisters, you bastard,” I yelled. “You stay away from my family.”

Lucas pulled me away, trying to get me out of there. Anders sneered as he turned to leave. Mason gave me one last sickening smile. Knowing he still had something over me. I kept screaming even after they disappeared through the front door.

“Sutton, we’ll get her out of there,” he urged, grabbing my jaw to force me to meet his eyes. “I swear, we’re getting her back. They won’t hurt her.”

“Did you know?” I spat, hitting his chest.

“Yes,” he admitted, a pained look in his eyes. “And we’ve been working to get her away from them since. Both your father and I.”

I was gripping the fabric of his shirt as I tried to quell the panic that was threatening to take over. I felt tears start to well up in my eyes as shame and embarrassment started to seep in at my behavior. There were so many questions and fears swirling through me.

“Sutton…” Lucas grabbed my face firmly. “Breath.”

I inhaled a ragged breath, focusing on the oxygen rushing through my veins as a distraction. I settled after a few moments. Nova retreated to a more reserved perch in my subconscious. I was suddenly aware of other people watching us. I saw the other Alpha’s from the corner of my eye. Alpha Renward offered us someplace more private for me to collect myself. Lucas accepted and he and Jaden ushered me into what appeared to be a small private library with Soloman not far behind.

“You shouldn’t have confronted him like that,” Lucas insisted. I could tell through our bond that he was more worried than frustrated. “That was foolish, Sutton.”

“I needed to know,” I told him. “I needed to know if he had the box from my mother.”

“That got us some kind of answer,” Jaden offered.

“He lied,” Lucas and I said in unison. Our eyes locked and I gave him a small grin.

He shook his head. “You told me you didn’t know about your mother leaving you the box,” Lucas admonished. “He may decide to get rid of it now.”

“I didn’t,” I said. “But I didn’t want Anders to think we’ve been talking with my family. You should tell your man on the inside to stay vigilant. I have a feeling Anders is about to lead him right to that box.”

Soloman chuckled. “It appears your little mate has just outmaneuvered us all, Alpha.”

“If it works,” I pointed out. “But I get what you’ve been saying now. Anders wants me specifically for something but I honestly have no idea what. If he’s kept that box all this time, the answers have to be in there.”

“Yes, and it would be best if we got our hands on that information sooner rather than later,” Soloman stated. “Otherwise things might get a lot more complicated than we would like.”

“Why do you say that?” I asked.

Soloman exchanged a look with Lucas and Jaden. I could have sworn Lucas shook his head. I felt a hint of desperation come through our bond before it was cut off. If he could have linked Soloman, he would have.

“Alpha Derion has shown a particular curiosity in you, Luna Sutton,” Soloman stated. “I believe he may have the same suspicions about your heritage that I do.”

I almost choked. “What suspicions are those?” I questioned, looking back to Lucas. What had he been keeping from me? “Lucas…” I pressed, “who the hell am I?”