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-”

Marco?” I

I wasn’t having it. I set him down on the ground

excuse for physical violence,” I chastised him. “Now, tell me

quiet for a moment, and then he began to sniffle. It was soft at first, and

I prompted him quietly.

heart began to ache. Finnick

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

had overheard what Erika had said 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

okay,” I said loudly. “You don’t

hardly ever raised my voice, but

knew right away and suddenly began

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

hall

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

place was toxic.

for the stern

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

said that to me,” I whispered through my cries.

Ca ssandra.. This is all my fault. I stepped out of the classroom to grab some water

maid looked terrified and I didn’t blame her. Adalyn was on the war path and would likely seek revenge

“Thank you for getting me. I appreciate it. I’ll handle Finnick from

apologetic smile. “Thank

hall. Once she was gone, I continued toward my

bed with his head buried in his blanket. I quietly

out softly. “Finnick,

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

there in silence for a minute or two.

asked. “And why would. you repeat

bad things about you, Mommy. I… just wanted to

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

always keep things from

aback. He was right. I was so full of secrets l,could

apologized.

should probably say that to Marco too.”

should,” I agreed. “For right now,

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