The Alpha's Stolen Luna のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 221 - チャプター 230

I told Helene about our required trip to the capital over dinner that evening. She was a little disappointed that I was leaving again, but she didn’t seem to think anything of not being invited herself. Instead, she seemed happy to keep working through the books Mom left. Promising to take thorough notes for me.Prince Raphe had sent a private jet for us. I guess it was his way of ensuring we actually made it. Or a way to say remind us that we didn’t have a choice. Truth is, I really couldn’t tell what his intention was. When I was talking to Helene, she made a good point about looking at the situation as objectively as possible. She reminded me that most of the uneasiness and cautiousness I felt around Prince Raphe came from rumors. Even Mom’s warnings weren’t anything definitive. It’s possible whatever he had done back then had changed and he was a different person now.Above all else — I had yet to hear anything bad about King Osric. And that’s who I was coming to meet. I could be

I shot to my feet, straightening and pulling at my clothes nervously. My eyes locked with King Osric’s. I didn’t know how long he held my gaze before suddenly closing the distance between us in three strides. His arms immediately wrapped around me, hugging me tightly. I stiffened in surprise for a moment, but it didn’t take long for the warmth of his embrace melted through me. My arms moved to return the hug as something resembling happiness tugged at my heart. It felt… right. Like a feeling of coming home.My grandfather pulled back, taking my face in his hands as he looked at me. Tears welling in his eyes. “You are your mother’s daughter,” he whispered in awe. “Come… tell me about yourself. I want to know everything.”I took my hand and ushered me onto the sofa next to him.“Well, um, I guess I should introduce myself,” I said nervously. “I’m Sutton. I guess you already know who Lucas is. Alpha of the Ironpaw Pack and my mate.”King Osric turned to Lucas with a smile. “Yes, I unde

I was surprised at what I was hearing. The offer wasn’t entirely unexpected. However, the promptness was. I thought it would be a long time, well after Sutton was established, before this was presented. If at all. I still wasn’t convinced our relationship would be accepted because of my past and the perceived threat I posed.“Alphas don’t hold official seats on the Council,” I stated. “I have no interest in leaving my pack.”“This would be a special appointment,” King Osric clarified. “You would still hold the role of Alpha of the Ironpaw Pack. But, as a member of the royal family, you would be expected to have a more formal role within the central government. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves.” The king removed his napkin from his lap and dropped it on the table. “These are simply things to think about for the future. For tonight, it’s late and I should let you both rest.”The king pushed his chair out and stood. We did the same in respect. He came around the table and wrapped Sut

I was up before my alarm the next morning, feeling well-rested and ready to start the day. My time with my grandfather… my grandfather. That was still a strange term to use. Still, after our time together the day before, it was easy to start to accept that is who he was to me. I hadn’t gotten to a point where Prince Raphe felt like family yet, let alone an uncle. But it wasn’t the same with the king.After breakfast, we spent the morning exploring the palace. My grandfather walked us through the halls, telling me about all the portraits. I was amazed at how he knew the story behind every single person who adorned those walls. I was learning so much about the history of our family. I soaked it all up, memorizing the stories, the wry asides, the losses and victories that, together, made our family tree less like a dry genealogy and more like a novel in which each generation tried to correct the last one’s mistakes. Lucas was patient with my questions, and the way he sometimes caught my

As soon as the door shut behind my grandfather, I rushed back to the nursery. Going straight to the dresser, palms sweating as I lifted the little jewelry box. For a long moment I just stared at it, my mind tumbling over every half-remembered snippet of conversation and every cryptic journal entry I’d skimmed.“Sutton, what is it?” Lucas asked, coming up behind me.“I’ve seen this before,” I said. “I swear I’ve seen this before. Or heard about it maybe. I don’t know but it’s important.”“What makes you say that?” he asked, looking over my shoulder.“For one thing, it doesn’t belong in here,” I pointed out. “Look around. This clashes with all the décor. My mother put this room together meticulously. She obsessed over every detail. This is would drive her crazy. Plus, what kind of infant needs a jewelry box?”Lucas chuckled. “A royal one.”I elbowed him playfully but my focus quickly went back to the jewelry box. My fingers itched against the lid, desperate to pry it open. It didn’t bu