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 asked

it. I set him down on the ground and

“Now, tell me Finnick,

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 a

prompted him

down his cheeks, my heart

the whites of his eyes turned slightly red. “He laughed at me, Mommy, for not having a daddy. So, I told

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

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

hardly ever raised my

suddenly began to s ob.

he exclaimed, and before I could say anything else, he

the hall toward

no use. Tears welled in my own eyes.

place was toxic.

behind me, and I readied myself for the stern hands of guards, but when I turned, it was just

my head she sighed. “Shhh… don’t cry. Finnick didn’t

said that to me,” I whispered through my

must tell you, Ca ssandra.. This is all my fault. I stepped out of the classroom to grab some water and

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

my cheeks. “Thank you for getting me. I appreciate it. I’ll handle Finnick from here.”

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

the hall. Once she was gone, I continued toward

there, Finnick was in bed with his head buried in his blanket. I quietly closed the door behind

softly. “Finnick, I’m

raised his head up slowly. I took a seat beside

silence for a minute or

didn’t you tell me you overheard us last night?” I asked. “And why would. you repeat

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

meant well, but you can’t say things like that to people, even if they’re

keep things

was so

sorry,” I apologized. “I’m

whispered. “I should probably say

opportunity presents itself, you should,” I agreed. “For right now, everyone needs to take some time to cool down.”

like me?” Finnick wondered, and my heart ached again.