“By the way,” Benzy said with a grin, “Lanky sent me a link. Abbey’s in your office with Johnny, waiting for her punishment.”
Benzy’s amused chuckle made Luke shake his head. “Well, this should be interesting,” Luke said with a smirk as they headed off.
Luke had momentarily forgotten about Abbey, given everything else that was happening. Should he wait to punish her until Bella was present, so she could see he was serious when he said he’d enforce consequences?
“You and Margaret, huh?” Luke teased, nudging Benzy with his elbow and smirking.
Benzy grinned, clearly unfazed. “So it seems.”
“Does Lanky know yet?”
“Probably. She ran up the stairs yelling for her mum, all excited, right after I headed off to deal with you and Bella.”
Luke chuckled. “He’s going to come after you—grill you about being faithful and make sure you’re not womanizing around.”
“Please,” Benzy scoffed. “Like I’d ever hurt my mate. She’s incredible—freaking gorgeous, with all that red curly hair down to her waist and a body that’s just… va-va-voom. She’s perfect.”
Luke burst out laughing. “Yeah, good luck saying that about his little sister to his face. Let me know how that works out for you.”
Benzy wiggled his eyebrows mischievously. “Oh, you know I will. I have to stir the pot—it’s what I do. Besides, it’s why Bella and I get along better than any of you with her. We’re both troublemakers.”
Luke didn’t argue. Benzy wasn’t wrong. But he silently vowed that once Bella was marked and mated to him, their bond would surpass anything she had with anyone else.
For the first time in six years, he opened a mind-link to Bella. Bella, I have Abbey in my office. Did you want to be there for her punishment?
He felt the connection spark to life—strong, likely due to their Mate Bond.
Probably not a good idea to put me or Tyler in the same room with her, Bella replied. You’re the Alpha. Punish her as you see fit.
Luke frowned at her words. You’re the Luna. Don’t you want to have a say in this? he asked, keeping his tone light but using the opportunity to remind her of her role.
No, she answered curtly before severing the link.
Luke’s frown deepened. Was her “no” directed at being called Luna, or was it simply her declining to weigh in? He assumed it was the latter; otherwise, he’d be feeling terrible right now. Maddis, however, was stirring at the thought. If Bella had rejected her role as Luna, Maddis might have surged forward, marked her without hesitation, even if their pups were present.
Pushing those thoughts aside, Luke strode into his office. Lanky’s sharp gaze immediately locked onto Benzy, who met his look with a confident smile.
“Morning, Lanky,” Benzy said smoothly. “Have a nice family breakfast? Hear any good news?” His tone was calm, but his grey eyes danced with amusement.
Lanky didn’t respond. He just narrowed his eyes at Benzy for a moment before turning to Luke. “Abbey, as expected, boss.”
Luke’s eyes landed on Abbey. She visibly swallowed hard under his scrutiny. Her wounds from yesterday—inflicted by Bella and Tyler—were fully healed, he noted. That was one less issue to worry about. However, his gaze shifted to Johnny, who was also in the room. Luke frowned slightly. He hadn’t summoned Johnny for this meeting and wondered why he was here.
Luke walked over to his desk, sat down, and fixed his gaze on Abbey. For a full minute, he said nothing, simply staring at her. He watched as her discomfort grew, her restlessness evident in her fidgeting. When Johnny reached out to place a reassuring hand on her shoulder, she leaned into it slightly.
“Abbey,” Luke began, his tone steady and authoritative, “what you did was reckless and completely unacceptable. I have every right to banish you from this pack for attacking another pack member—without just cause.”
Her eyes widened in shock. “Wh-what? You can’t do that,” she stammered.
“As the Alpha, I can do whatever I deem necessary,” he replied, echoing Bella’s earlier words.
“Mum and Dad would never let you!” she snapped, her Alpha aura flaring in defiance.
Luke remained calm, unmoved by her attempt to challenge him. “Where are they then?” he asked flatly. “They know you were summoned here for punishment, yet I don’t see them here defending your actions. Do you?”
Abbey faltered, and Luke noticed Johnny turning pale. Benzy and Lanky exchanged stunned looks, clearly taken aback by Luke’s words and demeanor.
“You, Abbey,” Luke continued, his voice cold, “acted with blatant disregard for your own safety, the safety of your unborn child, and the safety of other pack members.” He gestured toward Johnny, her mate, who had been forced to defend her and was injured because of her recklessness. “You need to learn respect.”
“I was just trying to bring her here for you!” Abbey yelled, anger overtaking her fear.
“Were you?” Luke asked, his tone laced with skepticism. “Or were you just so power-hungry you thought you could act without consequence?”
“They won’t let you banish me!” she shouted defiantly. “I’m pregnant!”
Luke leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable. “So even now, you think you’re above your Alpha? That you’re untouchable? Interesting, Abbey.” He nodded slowly. “But you’re right about one thing—I won’t banish my pregnant sister. However, I will de-rank you.”
Gasps filled the room. Abbey shot to her feet, fury blazing in her eyes. “I dare you to try it!” she screamed.
Luke stood, his towering presence commanding the room. His full Alpha aura surged forward, bolstered by Maddis, who lent his strength. The force of his dominance swept through the space like a storm, leaving no room for defiance.
“I, Alpha Luke Cupper of the Blood Moon Pack, hereby strip you, Abbey Cupper, of your Alpha title,” he declared, his voice resolute. “You are hereby reduced to the rank of Warrior. No longer will you hold authority over anyone in this pack, and you will answer directly to me for every insubordinate act.”
Abbey staggered backward, her eyes wide with disbelief as she collapsed to her knees. Tears streamed down her face as the reality of his words sank in. She had clearly never imagined that he could do this, let alone that he would.
