Alpha King’s Lost Luna by Aubrey Pepper

Chapter 26 Merliscire Palace

CA SSANDRA

I peered up at the clock at the front of the car. The display read noon, and despite the ride being long, it seemed like it should have been much later.

When I peered out the window, a strange feeling formed in the pit of my

stomach.

Merliscire Palace. It was just as magnificent as ever, with tall, pillars

constructed of white marble that glinted with specks of gold, a surplus of long windows, and expansive balconies that gave a beautiful view of the

perfectly-manicured grounds. The grass was a lustrous shade of emerald, and the driveways were paved in rich red brick.

At the front of the palace was an enormous gold fountain. It was in the shape of a wolf with its head raised high toward the moon. It had been crafted centuries ago and was meant to pay tribute to the Moon Goddess. The water splashed high into the air and shimmered on its way down.

Anemond may have been the source of my nightmares, but I couldn’t deny. there was something beautiful and magical about the palace.

The car pulled up the drive and stopped right at the marble stairs that led to the entrance hall. The moment I caught sight of the stairs, a memory struck me.

I remembered the first time my father had brought my brother Ector and me to the palace. Even back then, we were both awestruck by the sight of it and its luxuriousness. When we’d first stepped foot inside, Father had told us to not wander or look about, as it would be impolite, but we couldn’t resist. We’d never witnessed a beauty such as the Merliscire Palace before, and we likely never would again.

I was pulled back to reality when Finnick began to stir. His eyes blinked open slowly and then widened when he realized where we were.

here?” he breathed, and then his lips

I was a young girl again. How I wished this place hadn’t tainted my life in the way it had, so I too could feel excited about

with his seatbelt. Marco, meanwhile, couldn’t have moved faster. He undid his own seatbelt with ease and then launched himself out the door. Asher got out silently as well, and as

them a stern expression, and they immediately went to the trunk and began to unload our luggage. I watched the exchange in awe. It

familiar. Perhaps the Alpha King had brought in a whole new crew when he’d been coronated, or perhaps, I just couldn’t remember any of them. After all,

mates.

liked to refer to Rosepetal as “our

it turned out to be my prison and

pushed away my thoughts of

amazing, Mommy,” he whispered, and

is,” I agreed in an equally soft voice. “Now, stay close to me, baby. This place is big and I don’t want you to get

Finnick nodded. “Okay.”

rvants appeared and led us into the palace. Se rvants held the doors open for us, and as we

and as I followed the se rvants and Asher, the pain of my injuries flared slightly. I hadn’t taken any medicine today, and it was definitely making things difficult. But, I pushed the pain aside and focused on my surroundings.

Asher’s father, the former Alpha King, had sentenced my father to lifelong imprisonment and then banished my

Wegalla as

here,” Asher summoned the head se rvant to him once we reached

the first level.

was a middle-aged man with wrinkles that lined his tanned cheeks. His eyes were a deep warm brown, and his smile was kind. He approached the Alphal

at once for Healer Cas sandra and her son,”

Your Majesty,” Bert answered, and then after a pause, he softened his. voice. “Lady Adalyn is waiting for you, Your Majesty. She

you.”

his head. “Tell Lady Adalyn that I’ll need