Alpha King’s Lost Luna by Aubrey Pepper

Chapter 18 Her lost necklace

CA SSANDRA

Much to my excitement, when Amalia brought me to my intended room, Finnick was waiting for me on the other side of my door. His little face lit up with. excitement, and his normally serious gray eyes widened as he grinned at me.

“Mommy!” he exclaimed, and he rushed over to meet me. I’d half-expected him to look a little rough around the edges after our encounter with the bear in the woods, but Finnick looked perfectly healthy.

He threw his arms around me, and I fought back a sound of pain as he squeezed.

“Careful, baby,” I said softly as tears welled in my eyes. “I’m still a little sore.

“Oh,” he realized, and he let go and took a step back. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be,” I assured him, and then I gave him a look over. “Are you doing okay, sweetheart? I’ve been so worried about you.”

SVANGE

“I’m better now, Mommy,” he assured me, and he gave me a tiny smile. “I was a little scared at first, but after I took a warm bath and got some new clothes, I was feeling better.”

Suddenly, a strange look crossed his face, and he noticed my bandages.

“Are you okay?” he whispered, and he gently touched my arm.

“I’m okay,” I assured him, and I carefully lowered myself down to his level. “Can I tell you a secret?”

Finnick nodded.

“I was a little scared too,” I admitted. “But Marley patched me right up and gave

just going to need some rest and

and when I nodded, his

my favorite person, too,” he

careful hug, I rose to my feet, and Finnick gave me a tour of the room. It was incredibly sp acious and painted a lovely deep green. The floors were a rich dark wood, and two canopied beds rested in the corner, just next to a floor-length window. The curtains were drawn, and the

rumbled a little.

you hungry, Mommy?” Finnick asked.

I

her throat.

if you’d like to join him for dinner?” she asked, and I

my son?” I asked. “My body aches pretty badly, and I haven’t seen him

will be fine to accommodate you. I will bring

you, Amalia,” I said.

smiled at me and then disappeared from the room. Once the door had

My son’s eyebrows creased together and

me over to the chairs, and once we were seated, I took a

breath.

be going with the King to Anemond,” I revealed.

eyes sparkled for a moment, but he managed to keep

nodded. “Yes. We leave in a

child was curious about the capital of the werewolf empire. I’d often heard

ask me all kinds of questions. He wanted to know all about it, what it looked like, how the people there lived, and what kind of clothing they wore so that he could blend in. He seemed so thrilled by the prospect of seeing a new city, and I didn’t want to burst his bubble, so I answered him the best

to have a break from the questions. Above all else, I was glad Finnick hadn’t asked me why

that

ate quietly together, and then Finnick ran off to go play with Dominic before bed. I knew Finnick was probably bursting with excitement to tell his best friend all about going to Anemond,

seat and decided to check the backpack I’d left behind in the woods. It was tucked in the corner of the room, and covered in mud. I was surprised they had gone to the effort of

sorted through the pack and double-checked to see if everything was there. All seemed to be in order… except for one thing. I rifled through my things again,

pocket