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

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

him. “Now, tell me Finnick, why did you push the

first, and then it

I prompted him

tears fell down his cheeks, my heart began to

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. So, I told him that he was abandoned by his

overheard what Erika had said to me last night. Even if I’d known, I’d never have expected him to repeat it back

loudly. “You don’t say things like that to

understand what had gotten into Finnick. I hardly ever raised my voice, but

knew right away and suddenly began

exclaimed, and before

off down the hall

I called after him, but it was no use. Tears welled in my own eyes. My worst fears were coming true.

was

readied myself for the stern hands of guards, but when I turned, it

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

that to me,” I whispered through

This is all my fault. I stepped out of the classroom to grab some water and left the boys alone. I didn’t expect them to

was on the war path and would likely seek revenge on anyone involved in the situation.

said as I wiped my cheeks. “Thank you for getting me. I appreciate it. I’ll

and she offered me a small, apologetic

down the hall. Once she was gone, I continued

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

called out softly. “Finnick, I’m

slowly. I took a seat beside him on the bed

for a

me you overheard us last night?” I asked. “And why would. you repeat our

things about you, Mommy. I…

“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

“You always keep

was taken aback. He was right. I was

sorry,” I apologized. “I’m sorry, baby.”

sorry too,” he whispered. “I should probably say

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

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