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-”

you push Marco?” I asked

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

never an excuse for physical violence,” I chastised him. “Now, tell me Finnick, why did you push

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

I prompted him

tears fell down his cheeks, my heart began to ache.

slightly red. “He laughed at

last night. Even if I’d known, I’d

okay,” I said loudly. “You don’t say things like that to

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

knew right away and suddenly began to

and before I could say

off down the hall

it was no use. Tears welled in my own eyes. My worst fears were coming

was toxic.

for the stern hands of guards, but when I turned, it was just Erika.

when I shook my head she sighed. “Shhh… don’t cry. Finnick didn’t mean it. The boy

me,” I whispered through my cries.

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

I didn’t blame her. Adalyn was on the war path and would

said as I wiped my cheeks. “Thank you for

me a small, apologetic smile. “Thank you, Ca

the hall. Once she was gone, I continued toward

was in bed with his head buried in his blanket. I quietly closed the door behind me and then

softly. “Finnick,

took a seat beside him on the bed

in silence for a minute or two.

night?” I asked. “And why would. you repeat our

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

swept him into my arms. “Honey, it doesn’t work like that. I know you meant well, but you can’t say things like that to people, even if they’re mean. You also shouldn’t keep things

squirmed. “You always keep things

taken aback. He was right. I was so full of

apologized. “I’m sorry,

whispered. “I should probably say that

agreed. “For right now, everyone

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