Alpha's Hidden Precious Luna-Chapter 170

Lucas POV

Vanessa stood at the end of the long table in the room, leaning over what appeared to be architectural plans with Abel, my Beta. Her dark hair was pulled back in a severe ponytail. She had a serious expression on her face as she pointed to something on the document.

"These reinforcements need to be completed before the full moon," she was saying. "The eastern perimeter has been vulnerable for too long."

Abel nodded, making notes. "I’ll double the construction crew tomorrow. With the recent attacks on neighboring packs, we can’t afford any weak points."

Neither had noticed my presence yet, too absorbed in their discussion. I took a moment to appreciate the scene—my mate, my Luna stepping seamlessly into a leadership role in my absence; my Beta, loyal as ever, supporting her decisions. The pack had continued functioning, as it should.

"I hope you’ve left some decisions for me, Abel," I said, breaking the silence.

His head snapped up, and immediately, his pen clattered to the ground. "Lucas?" he whispered, disbelief etched into every line of his face. “I mean, Alpha Lucas. Is that really you?”

Vanessa’s reaction was more controlled—a slight stiffening of her shoulders the only indication of surprise. Of course, she’d known I was alive all along, but seeing me here, in the pack house, was clearly unexpected.

"Alpha?" Abel pushed away from the table, moving toward me with cautious steps, as if approaching an apparition that might vanish at any moment. "Is it really you? How is this possible?"

I spread my arms, offering a warm smile. "In the flesh, Beta"

That seemed to break whatever spell had held him back. With a choked sound halfway between a laugh and a sob, Abel clasped my forearm in the traditional greeting between pack brothers, then pulled me into a brief, fierce embrace.

"We thought you were dead," he said, pulling back to study my face. "Alpha Kai Ryker... everyone said he killed you."

"A misunderstanding," I replied, squeezing his shoulder reassuringly. "I’ve been away at the Summit, as planned. Someone impersonated me, used my identity to commit these crimes against Lily. I only learned what happened upon my return."

Abel’s brow furrowed in confusion. "But how? The scent... witnesses saw you with her."

"All part of an elaborate frame," I explained smoothly. "I have documentation proving my whereabouts. The Alpha Council will need to be convened immediately, of course. This attack on my character and position cannot stand."

"Of course, of course," Abel nodded, still looking dazed. "I’ll call them right away. They need to know you’re—" He broke off, shaking his head in wonder. "It’s a miracle. The pack will be overjoyed."

While Abel fumbled for his phone, I turned my attention to Vanessa, who had remained silent throughout the exchange, watching with an unreadable expression.

"Darling," I said warmly, moving toward her. "I’ve missed you so much."

I reached for her hand, expecting a hug at least for Abel who was still in the room with us—a show of sibling reunion for Abel’s benefit. Instead, her hand whipped through the air, connecting with my cheek in a slap so forceful my head snapped to the side.

The sound of the slap quietened every sound in the room. Abel froze mid-dial, his eyes had gone wide with shock. I slowly turned back to face Vanessa, holding onto my smarting cheek.

Her eyes were burning with anger as she stared at me. Conscious that Abel was still in the room, I turned to him.

“Abel, could you excuse I and Luna Vanessa, we have a lot to talk about.”

Abel nodded his head rapidly and made to leave when Vanessa’s voice stopped him. “Don’t move an inch, Abel. Are we done with what we were doing? Did I ask you to leave?”

Abel stuttered, his gaze darting from me to Vanessa. The rage in her eyes, was enough to keep him back. He quietened and went to one corner of the room to stand.

Vanessa turned to me.

"How dare you," she hissed, her voice trembling with rage. "How dare you waltz in here as if nothing happened."

I know Vanessa would be angry, but that should come later, shouldn’t it? After a sizzling welcome back sex. This was not the reaction I was expecting.

Was I losing my touch? Her anger caught me completely off guard.

"Vanessa," I began, keeping my voice low, a warning in my tone. "I understand you’re overwhelmed—"

"Overwhelmed?" She laughed, "Is that what you think this is? You promised me that you no longer love her. But you went ahead to kidnap her? For what reason? Why? Didn’t you say you were over her?”

I felt Abel’s gaze shift to me, I could feel him shifting uncomfortably. If I didn’t act fast then the truth would was bound to come out one way or the other and knowing who Vanessa was when she’s angry... I have to thread carefully.  

"That wasn’t me," I insisted, infusing my voice with hurt. "I told you, I was framed. Someone else kidnapped her, hurt her—"

"Stop lying!" Vanessa’s hands clenched into fists at her sides. "I know you, Lucas. Better than anyone. I know what you’re capable of when you’re obsessed."

A chill ran down my spine. Had Vanessa  betrayed me? Had she spoken to the Council? I was hoping to use her as a witness and a perfect alibi but at this rate, it seemed impossible.

"You’re confused," I said carefully, aware that Abel was still in the room and Vanessa’s voice was loud enough for him to hear. "We should discuss this privately, after you’ve had time to process my return."

“Process your return? Is that all you have to say to me? Do you know how much trouble you’ve caused us? My father has been breathing down my neck. The Alpha Council had threatened to revoke our trade license, infact, they already did. We cannot leave our pack until futher notice and guess whose fault is that?”

“I told you...”

“I don’t want to listen to your lies, Lucas. You disgust me.” Her eyes narrowed, glinting with determination I hadn’t seen before. "No more private discussions. No more secrets." She turned to Abel. "Don’t call the council yet. There’s something you need to know first."