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.

“But we have to

bag, and once he was secure it was time

quick scan of the house. It seemed like I had remembered everything we needed. I glanced at the clock. It was time

into my arms and held him close.

I wrapped my jacket around him

further.

carried him out of the house

completely empty, with only the streetlights out to 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 the forest.

fear.

there, Finnick let out a soft

Mommy?” he asked, and his tone was painted

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

do we have to go?” he pressed. I considered

right before,” I decided. “The man we saw today. He’s very bad and very dangerous. So we have

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

he had done to me.

I know he didn’t want to hear. “Are

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

my arms. “Not before we pass the sentinels.

held my son closer to my chest, and Finnick

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 midnight when there would be no guards around. This window was our only hope and it was

away.

my pace and

made it there, and to my delight, there were no guards. around. I let out a sigh of relief and then walked straight

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 pocket, I turned on the

avoid the forbidden section of

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

felt pangs 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

walk

continued on for an hour in complete silence, carefully maneuvering through the