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.

to put him

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

we were fully dressed, I did a quick scan of the house. It seemed like I had remembered everything we needed. I glanced at

arms and held him

wrapped my jacket

further.

of the house

empty, with only the streetlights out to light our way. I glanced around and made sure we were alone. Luckily, everyone else seemed to

fear.

the way there, Finnick let out a

going to the forest, Mommy?” he asked,

we have to go there, I know you don’t like it. But

go?” he pressed. I considered my words

man we saw today. He’s very bad and very dangerous. So

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

done

I know he

he said firmly. “I’m not afraid. Let’s leave. I’ll protect you.

now, sweetheart,” I said quickly as he tried to wiggle in my arms. “Not before we pass the

closer to my

there was a short

away.

quickened my pace

my delight, there were no guards. around. I let out

we made it a good way in, I set Finnick down and 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

on the flashlight to see. I used the light to check the compass. I wasn’t an expert navigator, but I knew enough to get us through. We needed to avoid the forbidden section of the forest, so I had to find us a shortcut that would get us out

me and keep us from making too many sounds or running into any predators.. Luckily for us, my father had taught me how to use

of guilt go. through me. Putting Finnick in this much danger wasn’t fair, but I had no other choice. I couldn’t let the nightmares of Anemond come back to me, not again, and

walk through the

the two of us were too afraid to speak. We continued on for an hour in