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 knit, but

smile was genuine. His excitement touched my heart and healed a little bit of the hurt from

Asher.

need to be prepared for it to be

Finnick 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

hall, and then we made our way to

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

toward the city, I was reminded of when I was a child. Back 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

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

made it to the main street,

was just as bustling

schools of fish. For a moment, I was a little overwhelmed

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

in Wild Crawler territory, we didn’t have markets like

this.

nodded back, I took a deep breath,

we made our way

of the various stalls and displays. He was in awe of everything, just

was young.

perched in the center of the market. Their exotic instruments sent a chill down my spine. This was all

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

they were selling adorable puppies. When my eyes flew to the sign above the door, a strange

think the shop

visited this place with my father and brother when

caved and took us there. The moment we stepped foot in the shop, Ector and I were absolutely enamored by the cute puppies, and we desperately

that would aid well