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.

my own new sweater. Mine was a similar

when Finnick nodded, my smile was genuine. His excitement touched my heart

Asher.

“We need to be prepared for it to be

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,

and

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

things for sale. Trinkets, books, exotic taxidermied animals, and various other wares filled the many stalls and carts posted

I felt a strange feeling come over me as I thought about it all. It felt like another life, another century when I’d been

it to the main street,

just as bustling as the

filled the streets, maneuvering around each other like schools of fish. For a moment, I was a little overwhelmed by the sheer amount of activity, and when I

surprise, Finnick was thrilled. His eyes were wide and his infectious

in Wild Crawler territory, we didn’t have

this.

and after he nodded back, I took a

made our way into the crowd.

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

was young.

air, and with them, a chorus of music from a few musicians perched in the center of the market. Their exotic instruments sent a chill down my spine. This was all too

let Finnick guide me over to a shop nearby, and when we stopped in front

When my eyes flew to the sign above

the shop still existed.

father and brother when

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

the years that would aid well in battles, but we’d never had a puppy before.