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.

though I said a silent

saw him coming toward me swiftly. The cold light of the moon made his gray eyes even more piercing, and his nostrils flared as

out. He was angrier than I’d seen

as I fought to find my words.

are you doing here?” he demanded again, his tone even more severe this time. I was in deep trouble,

lump in my throat. “I was… I was just taking a walk,

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 my lies. My heart thrummed in

you know anything about Cora?” he asked finally, and it took all of my effort to keep from gasping

I managed, and then I shook my head for good

intensified.

Your Majesty-” I insisted, but Asher raised his hand to silence me.

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

don’t know her, Your Majesty, and I wasn’t following you,” I pleaded with him. His lips curled downward into a frown, and he sighed. His grip suddenly tightened

idea what was happening and what he was about to do to

heard a noise behind us. It was a strange rustling sound, and when my eyes fell to the ground, I spotted an enormous viper heading toward us.

I cried out as the beast hissed at us. Asher dropped my

than any I’d seen before. Its large body was studded with black and

toward us with incredible speed, and before I could react, it lunged right at me

snake. I closed my eyes at the last second, ready to be attacked. And yet,

strange gurgling sound and a sudden thud.

to a gruesome sight.

black-scaled viper lay on the ground, its large body ripped