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

carefully put Teddy in his bag, and once

scan of the house. It seemed like I had remembered

Finnick into my arms and held him close.

wrapped my jacket around him to

further.

of the house and

sure we were alone. Luckily, everyone else seemed to be asleep. I held Finnick

fear.

Finnick let out a soft sound of

we going to the forest, Mommy?” he asked, and his tone

go there, I know you

he

we saw today. He’s very bad and very

a total lie. Asher Collins

done to

didn’t reply, I asked him the question I know he didn’t

afraid. Let’s leave. I’ll protect you. I

as he tried to wiggle in my arms. “Not before we pass the sentinels. Just stay here

held my son closer to my

fine on foot, but there was a short interval just before

away.

I quickened my pace

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

I set Finnick down and reached into my pack. I’d brought a flashlight, a compass, and a knife with me. Retrieved them all,

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 of Wegalla, If I timed things. correctly, we could be on the other side of the

take every precaution to keep us safe. Now that I couldn’t shift, I needed to keep my wits about 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 a knife when I was a girl, but I’d never had

of guilt go. through me. Putting Finnick in this much danger wasn’t fair, but I had no other choice. I

began our walk through the

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