Alpha King’s Lost Luna by Aubrey Pepper

Chapter 38 Believe the ones you trust

CA SSANDRA

“Mommy, look! Erika taught me how to make a paper crane!”

When I entered our bedroom, Finnick came charging toward me, his little arms extended out in front of him. His normally serious gray eyes were wide with excitement and his lips were curled into a happy grin.

He presented me with the little crane and I held out my hand to accept it. He set it there gently and then looked up at me with glee.

“Wow, baby!” I exclaimed with genuine excitement. “This is incredible. You did such a great job!”

“Thanks, Mommy!” he replied, and then I turned to Erika.

“Thank you,” I mouthed, and the maid winked back at me. Her warm eyes were friendly as she smiled and for a moment, I remembered what it was like to know her as a child. She’d taught me the same thing when I was young and the tiny crane in my hands reminded me of happier times.

A week had passed since the viper had attacked Asher in the garden. These days, I returned to my quarters earlier than I did before. The Alpha King/repeatedly dismissed me sooner than expected due to Pack business he was reportedly busy with, but I had the sense that there was more to it than that.

There was definitely some awkwardness between us after what had happened. that night. Neither of us had acknowledged it, but I didn’t mind. I was relieved to not address/our actions or face his questions at all.

Besides, getting dismissed from the Alpha King’s study early meant I got to spend more time with Finnick and Erika before she finished her hours for the day.

Requesting Erika’s care had been risky, but at the end of the day, I didn’t regret

it at all. Finnick adored the maid more than anyone here in the palace, and it was nice to have her around, even if she didn’t know my true identity.

“Would you care for some tea, Ca ssandra?” Erika asked me as I closed the door. behind me, and she gestured at me with a teapot. “I’ve just brewed some. It’s nice

and hot.”

small table in the corner of the room. Erika was always so kind and

poured me a hot cup of tea, and when the jasmine-scented air filled my

knew long ago loved jasmine tea

smile.

suddenly turned and a lump formed in my throat.

I tried to say in a casual

I prepared it

was she?” I wondered though I knew the answer.

face, almost as if she was going to cry. “A young woman, not much older than yourself. She was like a daughter to me. But her name is unspeakable here in Merliscire. In all of Anemond, in fact.”

to her?” I asked quietly.

eyes grew apologetic, like she was embarrassed to be sharing something so personal. I leaned forward and placed my hand on her

don’t have to tell me-” I started to say, but

ssandra,” she assured me. “I don’t mind. It’s just sad, that’s all. The poor girl got caught

myself right away, but I

Felix?” I whispered and Erika blinked at me

“How do you know about her? Aren’t you from the Wild Crawler Pack? The one that’s

heard it from others,” I spoke before she could continue questioning me. “Back when it happened,

and then she dropped her head in

of the maid so upset was nearly enough to bring me to tears but I held them back. Beside me, Finnick seemed confused, but he didn’t ask any questions. He simply sipped at his tea like a polite gentleman and played with

asked her, and when she nodded, I continued. “You seem sad about her passing, but from the way others spoke about her… wasn’t

evil, and neither was Cora. Her family never would commit a crime and she would never try to manipulate the king for her own gain. Besides, sweet Cora loved the king too much.

to tell Erika everything. I wanted to scream out that I was Cora Felix and that I loved her just as much now as I did back then. I

But I couldn’t.