Chapter 393: Lucas

It was hours before we reached our destination. It was after midnight and we were only a few miles away from the border of the capital territory. So, we were all a bit on edge. Knowing that there were likely patrols in the area. Hank had been keeping details of where we were going close to the vest. I had a feeling it was because I wasn’t going to like what he had planned, but I still wasn’t getting any feeling that we shouldn’t trust him. So, I didn’t push the subject.Needless to say, I started to question things when we pulled into a storage yard. Hank pulled up to a gate and rolled down his window. He pressed a code into a keypad and the flimsy metal gate opened. He pulled into the dimly lit lot. I was paying full attention to our surroundings. Feeling uncomfortable with the dark spaces between the boats and RVs that lined the lane. Hank took us to the back of the lot. I was expecting it to get darker but there were lights up ahead.And movement.I moved to the edge of the seat. M

Chapter 394: Sutton

We stopped about five minutes from where Hank’s contact said to meet. The RV was spacious enough for a family vacation. But for our group tonight, it was a bit crowded. I wasn’t sure how we were going to hide the four of us well enough to pass a search. Even a cursory one.“Alright,” Hank said, waving toward me and Lucas. “You two come with me. Lyla, will you take the Prince and Councilman, please?”Lyla nodded and waved for Raphe and Soloman to go with her. Lucas and I followed Hank toward the back of the vehicle, moving single file with Lucas behind me. Hank stepped through the narrow doorway into the bedroom. In one swift motion, he lifted the bed, revealing an enclosed storage space beneath it.“I had them clear this out,” Hank explained. “It won’t be the most comfortable, but it will be safe enough.”“There’s not much room in there,” I commented. “Only two of us will fit.”“We have a similar storage space underneath,” Hank said. “Again, not the most glamorous way to travel, but i

Chapter 395: Sutton

“Okay, everyone, we’re coming up on the crossing point,” Hank said through the radio. “Those compartments aren’t soundproof. So stay quiet and stay still.”I felt the RV slow to a stop. My heart started to race. I swallowed against the nerves. My mind started to race through everything that could happen. Wondering how bad it could be if we were caught. Wondering if we should have just had Raphe command them. Wondering if he would be strong enough to if it came to that.We could hear muffled voices coming from outside. The radio was turned down low. The conversation was barely audible but we could just make it out.“You know who I am, Stoat,” he said. “I told you. Things are crazy out in the pack territories right now. All I want to do is get my family to safety within the capital. You know the king would allow it.”“Then you should call him,” another male voice said. “I thought I was letting you in the city to do a job.”“The king is a bit hard to get ahold of at the moment. I’m sure

Chapter 397: Sutton

“An omen? What kind of omen?” I asked.“For us… a good one,” Soloman said. “Most likely.”“You don’t know that,” Lucas argued.“You better hope it’s a good omen,” Raphe said. “Now, let’s go. We don’t have much time.”“We’re not going anywhere until we know what we’re rushing into,” Lucas snapped, stepping in front of Raphe. “Whatever it is you think that moon means, it’s not enough to excuse recklessness. Besides, Sutton deserves an explanation.” They squared off against each other for a moment. Locking eyes as they both refused to back down. “Don’t be a fool.”Raphe growled, but took a step back.“We need to get eyes inside,” Raphe stated, returning to our original plan.“Hunter,” Lucas said. “Go.”“There’s a tunnel entrance in the next building,” Hank offered. “I can take you there.”“No need,” Hunter said. “I have my own way in.”He didn’t wait to explain. Just slipped into the shadows and was gone. Proving exactly why he was the man for the job. There was a distant bang and the so

Chapter 398: Sutton

“We don’t know that for sure,” Soloman argued again. “The last person to see the rising blood moon was the queen mother. It was her son who took the throne. From what we know, those who see it are almost always she-wolves. This could just mean your victory as much as hers.”A lot of voices started to speak at once. The weight in my gut sank even further as I understood that Lucas suspected the same thing. That’s why he seemed so defeated. He didn’t want to rule. He never did. My chest felt tight. A new fear crept in.Would he leave me?“Enough,” I burst out, quieting everyone. “I don’t care what some dusty old books say. I don’t want the crown. And no moon or goddess can make me take it. That has never been what this was about. That was never the plan. If we win, Raphe takes the throne. What I want to know is why you think this means we’re running out of time?”Raphe was silent. From the way he was fisting his hands, I suspected he couldn’t answer me. At least not in a way that would

Chapter 399: Lucas

I was quiet as I followed Hank and Raphe through the campus. Keeping Sutton close and my focus on our surroundings. Rhonen was surprisingly calm himself, even though I could still feel his anxiety over not being able to sense Nova either. Neither of us had a good feeling about where the night was going. Whether we succeeded or not, I wondered if we would ever see the event as a victory.I also didn’t like the change I’d seen in Raphe over the past few minutes. Ever since he realized we could be experiencing a blood moon, his demeanor had changed. He was raised to take the throne. He had spent the last week preparing himself to take it from his own father. But would he betray Sutton to keep it?I forced myself to keep my mind on that possibility. I couldn’t think about what it would mean if she did end up taking the crown. I couldn’t think about how she would flourish. I couldn’t think about how she was meant for that kind of greatness. I couldn’t think about how quickly I would be lef