Alpha King’s Lost Luna by Aubrey Pepper

Chapter 44 Grievance

CA SSANDRA

As Adalyn continued to glare daggers in my direction, I turned to look at

Finnick.

“Did you lay a hand on Prince Marco?” I asked as evenly as I could possibly manage. Finnick took a moment and then shook his head.

“I didn’t do anything,” he said quietly, but his expression told a different story. Finnick tended to glance down at the ground when he was lying, and he’d done just that a moment ago. So, I took a breath and repeated myself.

“Finnick, this is serious,” I said in a much sterner tone. “I want the truth. Did you lay a hand on Prince Marco?”

Finnick took a moment of pause, and then he nodded.

“Sort of,” he admitted. “But it was just a light push, Mommy. And Marco hit me

first-”

“Prince Marco,” Adalyn corrected him through bared teeth, and then she rushed over to us. She seemed as if she were going to sn atch my son away, but held firm. and lifted him up before she could do anything.

I glared at Asher’s wife as she stopped in front of us. No one, royal or not, was going to lay a single finger on my son.

“I’ll take my son and leave-” I started to say, but as I turned to move, Adalyn’s hand clamped down on my shoulder.

“I’ll tell the Alpha King,” she spat. Her nails dug into my skin, but the pain didn’t matter. I was in protective mode and my only concern was my son.

“Tell him whatever you like,” I retorted, and I yanked my shoulder away with

impressive force. “But I’ll be taking my son away now.”

Prince Marco began to wail.

“My father is going to punish you!” he cried, and he pointed his finger at Finnick. “You’re going to be in trouble!”

Finnick opened his mouth to speak, but I shushed him immediately. I didn’t wait for Adalyn to dismiss me. I simply turned and rushed right out of the room and into the busy hallway. I walked as quickly as I could with Finnick in my arms, and I held him tightly against me.

“Mommy,” Finnick whimpered as I sped toward our chamber. “Mommy, I’m

sorry-”

Marco?”

it,” Finnick insisted, but I wasn’t having it. I set him down on the ground and stared at

an excuse for physical violence,” I chastised him. “Now, tell me Finnick, why did you push the prince?”

at first, and then it grew a little louder. I paused for a moment and

prompted

heart began to ache.

of me,” Finnick revealed through his sniffs, and the whites of his eyes turned slightly red. “He laughed at me, Mommy, for not having a daddy.

last night. Even if I’d known, I’d never have expected him

said loudly. “You

I hardly ever raised my voice, but my son needed to know he was

suddenly

hate you, Mommy!” he exclaimed, and before I

the hall

use. Tears welled

place was

and I readied myself for the stern hands of

you okay?” she asked, and when I shook my head she sighed. “Shhh… don’t cry. Finnick didn’t

never said that to me,”

assured me. “He’s not that kind of boy. I must tell you, Ca ssandra.. This is all my fault. I stepped out of the classroom to grab some water and left the boys alone. I

blame her. Adalyn was on the war path and would

wiped my cheeks. “Thank you for getting me. I appreciate it.

a small, apologetic smile. “Thank you, Ca

Once she was gone, I continued

in his blanket. I

softly.

head up slowly. I took a seat beside him

for a

last night?” I asked.

you, Mommy. I… just wanted to say bad things to him too.”

into my arms. “Honey, it doesn’t work like that. I know you meant well, but you can’t say things

keep things

right. I was

I apologized. “I’m

whispered. “I should probably

should,” I agreed. “For right now, everyone

did Daddy leave because he didn’t like me?” Finnick wondered, and my