Alpha King’s Lost Luna by Aubrey Pepper

Chapter 9 Attack

CA SSANDRA

When I entered my son’s room, I half-expected him to be awake, but he was

fast asleep.

He had his arms wrapped around his favorite teddy bear, Teddy, and for a moment, I didn’t want to wake him up. He seemed so peaceful, and I was about to put him through so much stress.

But not as much as I would be if we went to Anemond.

So, I leaned down and gently touched his arm.

“Finnick,” I whispered, and when he didn’t rouse, I said his name again. After a moment, his nose crinkled and his eyes blinked open.

“Mommy?” he said, and he yawned lightly.

“Sorry to wake you, baby,” I said, and I gave him my most apologetic smile. “We have to go.”

“Go?” he repeated back in a confused voice. “Go where?”

“I’ll tell you on the way there,” I explained. “For now, we just need to get ready,

okay?”

Finnick nodded, though his gray eyes were concerned. I pulled the covers aside and helped him down. We walked over to the closet, and we got him dressed.

After I zipped up his jacket, I picked out a couple of fresh sets of clothes and packed them in a small backpack.

“Put this on,” I instructed him.

“Can Teddy come?” he asked hopefully, and he glanced over at the stuffed bear he’d left on the bed. I studied the toy carefully. We were running low on room, but Teddy was his favorite toy. I couldn’t ask him to leave it behind when I was already asking so much of him.

I said. “But we have to put him

put Teddy in his bag, and once he was secure it was time for shoes.

I went downstairs, and after we were fully dressed, I did a quick scan of the house. It seemed like I

arms and

tight, baby,” I said, and I wrapped my

further.

of the house and

light our way. I glanced around and made sure we were alone. Luckily, everyone else seemed to be asleep. I held Finnick tight and then took off toward

fear.

out a soft

to the forest, Mommy?” he asked, and his

said. “I’m so sorry we have to go there, I know you

he

we saw today. He’s very bad and very dangerous. So we have to go somewhere

a total lie. Asher Collins wasn’t a good man, especially considering

had done to me.

I asked him the question I know he didn’t

afraid. Let’s leave. I’ll protect

arms. “Not before we pass the sentinels. Just stay here for right

closer to my chest, and

he said simply, and he fell silent. It was for the best. Finnick would have been fine on foot, but there was a short interval just before

away.

quickened my pace and

there, and to my delight, there were no guards. around. I

reached into my pack. I’d brought a flashlight, a compass, and a knife with me. Retrieved them all, and after I put the knife in my

us through. We needed to avoid the forbidden section of the forest, so I had to find us a shortcut that would

making too many sounds or running into any predators.. Luckily for

in mine. This was his first time entering the forest, and I could tell he was scared because his palms were wet. I felt pangs of guilt go. through me. Putting Finnick in this much danger wasn’t fair, but

began our walk through the forest.

of us were too afraid to speak. We continued on for an hour in complete silence, carefully maneuvering through the