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-”

push Marco?” I

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

violence,” I chastised him. “Now,

It was soft at first, and then it grew a little louder. I paused for a moment and looked at him.

prompted

heart began

of his eyes turned slightly red. “He laughed

to me last night. Even if I’d known, I’d never have expected him to repeat it back to Marco. Finnick wasn’t usually

I said loudly. “You don’t say things like

had gotten into Finnick. I hardly ever

right away and suddenly began to

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

hall toward our

use. Tears welled in my own eyes. My worst fears were coming true.

was toxic.

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

okay?” she asked, and when I shook my head she sighed. “Shhh… don’t cry. Finnick didn’t mean it. The boy is young.”

that to me,” I whispered through

of boy. I must tell you, Ca ssandra.. This is all my fault. I

blame her. Adalyn was on the war path and would likely seek revenge on anyone involved in the

cheeks. “Thank you for getting me.

small, apologetic smile. “Thank you,

walked down the hall. Once she

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

out softly.

head up slowly. I took a seat beside him on the bed

for a

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

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

meant well, but you can’t say things like that to people,

always keep things

taken aback. He was right. I was

apologized. “I’m sorry, baby.”

whispered. “I should probably say that to Marco too.”

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

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