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.

we have to put him in

agreed. We carefully put Teddy in his bag, and once he

of the house. It seemed like I had

Finnick into my arms and held him

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

further.

carried him out of the house and into the

glanced around and made sure we were alone. Luckily, everyone else seemed to

fear.

way there, Finnick let out a soft sound

to the forest, Mommy?” he

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

to go?” he pressed. I considered my words carefully.

today. He’s very bad and very dangerous. So we have to go somewhere to keep us safe.”

Collins wasn’t a

done to

I know he

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

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

closer to my chest, and

best. Finnick would have been fine on foot, but there was a short interval just before midnight when

away.

I quickened my pace

there, and to my delight, there were no guards. around. I let out a sigh

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

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

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

scared because his palms were wet. I 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 to

began our walk through

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