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-”

did you push Marco?” I asked him

insisted, but I wasn’t having it. I set him down on

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

and then he began to sniffle. It was soft at first, and then it grew a little louder. I paused for

I prompted

fell down his cheeks, my heart began

and the whites of his eyes turned slightly red. “He laughed

I hadn’t realized Finnick had overheard what Erika had said to me last night. Even if

okay,” I said loudly. “You don’t

within me. I didn’t understand what had gotten into Finnick. I hardly ever raised my voice, but my

away and suddenly began

Mommy!” he exclaimed, and before I could say anything

off down the hall toward

it was no use. Tears welled in my own eyes. My

was toxic.

the stern hands

she sighed. “Shhh… don’t cry. Finnick didn’t mean it. The boy is young.”

that to me,” I whispered through my

me. “He’s not that kind of boy. I must tell you, Ca ssandra.. This is all my fault. I stepped

didn’t blame her. Adalyn was on the war path and would likely seek revenge on anyone

“Thank you for getting me. I appreciate it. I’ll

Erika said, and she offered me a small, apologetic smile. “Thank you, Ca ssandra. Please,

turned and walked down the hall. Once she

in bed with his head buried in his

softly.

took a seat beside him

in silence for a minute or two.

us last night?” I asked. “And why would.

saying bad things about you, Mommy. I… just wanted to

like that. I know you meant well, but you can’t say things like that to people, even if

squirmed. “You always keep

was so full of secrets l,could

apologized. “I’m sorry, baby.”

whispered. “I should probably say

should,” I agreed. “For right now, everyone needs to take some time to cool

because he didn’t like me?” Finnick wondered, and my heart ached again.