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

I

him. “Now, tell me Finnick,

he began to sniffle. It was soft at first, and

prompted him quietly.

fell down his cheeks, my heart began to ache. Finnick hardly

and the whites of his eyes turned slightly red. “He laughed at me, Mommy,

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

okay,” I said loudly. “You don’t

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

and suddenly began

before

off down the hall toward our chamber.

welled in my own eyes. My worst fears were coming

place was toxic.

behind me, and I readied myself for the stern

and when I shook my head she sighed. “Shhh… don’t cry. Finnick

that to me,” I whispered through my

you, Ca ssandra.. This is all my fault. I stepped out

war path

your fault,” I said as I wiped my cheeks. “Thank you for getting me.

a small, apologetic smile. “Thank you, Ca ssandra. Please, take

hall. Once she was

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

out softly. “Finnick,

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

for

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

sniffled. “Marco is always saying bad things about you, Mommy. I…

you can’t

keep things

was so full of secrets

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

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

“For right

like me?” Finnick