Alpha King’s Lost Luna by Aubrey Pepper

Chapter 32 He protected her?

CA SSANDRA

My heart sk ipped a beat in my chest and every inch of my skin broke out in goosebumps.

Was this real?

Was that really my tomb?

But as I stared on at the marble monument, I knew it to be true. That tomb was indeed for Cora Felix.

Had Asher built it himself? And furthermore, did he have Rosepetal reconstructed? There was no other logical reason for the mansion to be intact after the inferno. The blaze had rendered everything damaged and destroyed.

I stared at the Alpha King and frowned. His stance, his bowed head… he appeared to be in mourning. As sad as it was, it made little sense to me, and many questions swirled around my mind like a tornado. Why did he do all of this? Was he sorry for me? Why had he left me alone that night and why didn’t he come to my rescue if he was so sad?

My instincts told me to run to him and demand answers, but after a moment of deliberation, I managed to get myself under control.

What would change if I got the answers anyway? It was too late. Cora Felix was long gone.

I decided the best course of action was to turn around and leave. If I was quiet enough I could slip right back over to the palace and put this strange encounter behind me. I could bring Finnick into my bed and snuggle him until I fell back asleep. Perhaps his mere presence would be enough to push the nightmares away.

I turned on my heels and started creeping forward. Each footstep was cautious

and careful until I accidentally lost my momentum and brushed against one of the rosebushes that lined the path. The thorns brushed the skin of my arms and I cried out a little in surprise. My hands suddenly flew to my mouth at the sudden sound.

I whispered, and even though I said a silent prayer that Asher

out angrily, and when I turned around, I saw him coming toward me swiftly. The cold light of the moon made his gray eyes

force made me cry out. He was angrier than I’d seen him before and heat spread to my cheeks as I fought back nervous tears.

I stammered as I fought to find my words. “I’m

severe this time.

my throat. “I was… I was just taking a walk, but I got lost out on the grounds. There’s still so much of the palace I haven’t seen and

as the lies poured out of me, and my entire body shook with nervousness. Asher’s eyes narrowed suspiciously, but he lessened his grip. around my arm. He studied me for a while in silence, as if he were evaluating

Cora?” he asked finally, and it took all of my effort to keep from gasping in

Majesty,” I managed, and then I shook my head for good measure.

intensified.

Majesty-” I insisted, but Asher

saw your expression just now,” the Alpha King said sternly. “If you were simply lost on the grounds, you wouldn’t have made that face at the mention of Cora. You must have known her or known about her. Unless

wasn’t following you,” I pleaded with him. His lips curled downward into a frown, and he sighed. His grip suddenly tightened again and when he

raced even faster. I had no idea what was

heard a noise behind us. It was a strange rustling sound, and when my eyes

I cried out as the beast hissed at

studded with black and red scales, and even from here,

I could

was trapped by the enormous snake. I closed my eyes at the

gurgling sound and

open to a

on the ground, its large body ripped open from