Chapter 75

Lucas’s POV

Mason steps up to my side, tapping my arm to get my attention.

“What is it?” I ask, fighting a yawn.

“I’ll excuse myself from the search since it would be a conflict of interest,” he says, his eyes moving from me to Brandon who stands on my other side. “I’ll continue to look for clues on Harper while you two search my sister’s room and my parents’ house.”

I turn to my friend, studying the blank look on his face. He won’t admit it, but I know this bothers him. He hates that his sister did something to betray and trick not only her Alpha but also their family.

“You do know that your sister’s actions do not reflect on or harm your position within the pack or our relationship, don’t you?” I question, making him look at me.

This time, he studies me, searching for the truth in my eyes. When he finds what he’s looking for, Mason sighs and his tense shoulders relax a bit.

“Brandon and a warrior will go search Sierra’s room, while I take a few warriors to search your parents’ house,” I inform him. “I personally picked the warriors who will execute the search based on the fact that they are unbiased and will search the house with out damaging anything.”

Mason’s shoulders slump in relief, “Thank you, Alpha.”

Nodding, I lay my hand on his shoulder. “None of us are happy this happened, but now that it has, we will take care of it by the book.”

The three warriors I brought with me entered the former Beta’s house first, fanning out and beginning the search for anything that would prove Sierra was mixing or making the potions or spells to forge fake mate bonds.

Henry and Ruby stand in the living room as I enter. They look nervous even though I can tell they’re trying not to. Honestly, nervous is an understatement.

Ruby paces the floor, her eyes darting all over the living room and avoiding me. Henry stays as far away from me as possible, moving when I move and keeping distance between us. It’s almost like he’s worried I’ll attack if he gets too close.

“Is there anything you’d like to admit to before my men get further in their search?” I ask, giving them a chance to come clean. In all honesty, I don’t know if they know what Sierra has been up to, but I also know that Sierra is glued to her mother’s side like a baby who doesn’t want to let go.

“What would we possibly be able to tell you?” Henry snaps defensively. “We’ve done nothing wrong.”

I hum and move across the room, following the scent of the warrior closest to me. He’s in the kitchen, sifting through cabinets. When I enter, he looks back at me and shakes his head to let me know he hasn’t found anything yet.

“Alpha, there’s nothing in Sierra’s pack house room,” Brandon says through our link. “Do you want me to keep her here until you’re done?”

“Yes. Keep an eye on her. I’ll let you know if we find anything here,” I tell him while exiting the kitchen to go find another warrior.

The second warrior I find is in the main hallway. “Nothing in the parents’ room,” he tells me before entering the next room. I follow him and enter Sierra’s room. Her room is spotless, like it’s been cleaned recently, and I wonder if her mother came in here before we arrived.

I help search the room, taking care not to damage anything like I promised Mason. Whether he admits it or not, I know he’s worried about his family, but as the Beta, he also has to be impartial on these things.

Which is why he stepped aside.

“I’m not seeing anything in here, Alpha,” my warrior says, standing up from where he’d been laying on the floor.

“Okay, head to the next room. I’ll go see if anyone else has—”

“Alpha, I found something.”

Turning, I find my last warrior standing in the doorway. He holds up an old book and offers it to me. “I think this is the spellbook she used. I found it in a hidden closet behind the laundry room, and I think you’ll want to come take a look.”

I follow him through the house to the hidden walk-in closet. Other than the book of spells and potions he brought to me, there are bottles of potions line the shelves. Ingredients are in glass jars along one wall and a small stove is on the other.

It’s almost like a tiny, closet sized kitchen.

“Bring Sierra to my office,” I link Brandon.

Then I turn to the warriors, “Take pictures and then gather the evidence.”

Brandon, Mason, and Sierra are waiting for me when I enter my office. Sierra stands in front of my desk while the other two stand off to the side. When Mason looks at me, I offer my most apologetic smile for what I’m about to do.

He nods in understanding, and I silently commend him.

“Sierra, after a thorough search of your house, we have found evidence that you created and used potions to create and forge fake mate bonds,” I announce, stopping in front of her. She stiffens. “Per council laws, faking a mate bond is illegal. As punishment, you are sentenced to banishment from this pack—”

“No! Lucas, this is a mistake!” She begs.

Mason growls at her, making Sierra freeze and look at her brother.

“You will have three days to gather anything you plan to take with you and to say your goodbyes,” I tell her.

“I’m sorry! I won’t do it again!” She wails, reaching for my leg like she plans to grab onto it. I step back, not letting her touch me, and again, Mason growls at his sister.

“Mason, you can’t let him do this!” Sierra pleads. “Do something!”

Mason shakes his head and steps back, “You broke the law, Sierra. There is no changing that.”

Her jaw drops before she narrows her eyes at her brother and hisses, “You’re all bastards. This isn’t my fault! It’s Harper’s fault. If she wasn’t so weak, none of this would have happened.”

“Sierra,” I growl in warning. She ignores me, though, and continues.

“This is Logan’s fault, too,” she hisses. “If he would’ve just accepted my rejection, he wouldn’t have gone against me and ratted me out!”

Mason grabs Sierra’s arm, pulling her back, “Stop this. You’re the one to blame for your own actions.”

“And mother! She put so much pressure on me to find a strong, wealthy mate that I could only choose Lucas!” Sierra shouts, pointing at me. “He was the best choice around, and that’s not my fault!”

Sighing, I look directly at Sierra and let my Alpha tone seep into my voice, “Stop talking.”

She instantly goes silent, unable to go against the Alpha command. Tears well up in her eyes as she turns to look at me, knowing what comes next.

“You will have three days to say your goodbyes and collect your things,” I tell her again. She breaks down into sobs, but honestly, I’m too tired to really care.

Even as two warriors and Mason escort her out of my office, I find myself swaying on my feet. The room spins, and no amount of blinking or deep breaths stops the movement.

“I think I should sit down,” I mumble, turning toward my chair, but I don’t make it. The world tilts and the floor rushes toward me just before I’m plunged into darkness.