Alpha King’s Lost Luna by Aubrey Pepper

Chapter 47 Pet store

CA SSANDRA

As the days went by, I couldn’t get the cold look on Asher’s face out of my mind. It lingered there like a ghost and haunted my every move.

The way he’d dismissed me, the way his lips had drawn into a thin line…

But what else had he expected me to do? I didn’t want to stay here or compète with Adalyn for his affection. I wanted to complete my research, find a cure for the Alpha King’s mysterious condition, and leave Anemond for good.

And yet, the image of Asher’s face made my heart wrench.

“Mommy!” Finnick called out and interrupted my thoughts. I shifted my attention to my son and forced a smile. He was dressed up in brand new clothes and his normally serious face was bright and cheery.

Though I tried to replicate his enthusiasm, he saw through me right away, and

his smile turned into a frown.

“Mommy,” he complained. “What’s wrong? You’ve been so distracted.”

It was an intelligent observation and I knew I needed to save face.

“I’m sorry baby,” I apologized. “I’ve just been so busy that I’m a little tired. But you look so nice in your new clothes.”

Finnick’s frown shifted back into a grin.

It was true. He’d been gifted a whole set of new clothing from the royal staff, and he looked like a proper young man. Today, he’d chosen a pair of tan trousers and a navy blue sweater that made his eyes even more gray than usual.

“Thanks, Mommy,” he said.

was a similar knit, but instead of blue, it was a

smile was genuine. His excitement touched

Asher.

to be prepared for it to be

replied, and after he grabbed his jacket, I double-checked my purse and made sure I had everything necessary. Once I was certain I was ready, I grabbed my

the room and into the busy hall, and

main street of Anemond. Much to my relief the hunting festival had just ended, so it wouldn’t be as bustling as

then, there would be a festival market on the main street with different and wonderfully interesting things for sale. Trinkets, books, exotic taxidermied animals, and various other wares filled the many stalls and carts posted up on the streets, along with areas for food

with the things for sale, there were talent shows and performances that I watched with curious eyes. It was an exciting time here in Anemond, and I felt a strange feeling come over me as I thought about it all. It felt like another

made it to the main street,

bustling as the hunting festival.

schools of fish. For a moment, I was a little overwhelmed by the sheer amount of activity, and

thrilled. His eyes were wide and his infectious smile was on full

couldn’t blame him. Back in Wild Crawler territory,

this.

close to me,” I advised him, and after he nodded back, I

Finnick’s hand tightly as we made our way into the crowd.

than usual and with the other hand, he pointed out all of the various stalls and displays. He was in

was young.

a chorus of music from a few musicians perched in the center of the market. Their exotic instruments sent a chill down

to a shop nearby, and when we stopped in front of it, my jaw nearly dropped again and my eyes widened.

see they were selling adorable puppies. When my eyes flew to the sign above

think the shop

this place with my father and

then, Ector and I had dragged Father to the shop. It took a lot of convincing but he finally caved and took us there. The moment we stepped foot in the shop, Ector and

would