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.

sweater. Mine was a similar knit, but instead of blue, it

to go?” I asked, and when Finnick nodded, my smile was genuine. His excitement touched my heart and healed a little bit of the hurt

Asher.

“We need to be prepared for it to be a

had everything necessary. Once I was certain I was ready, I grabbed my

and then we made our way to

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

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 and beverages. made from precious plants that only

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 life, another century when I’d been a part of that.

to the main street, my jaw dropped a little.

was just as bustling as the hunting

people 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 looked down at Finnick,

wide and his infectious smile was on

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

this.

to me,” I advised him, and after he nodded back, I took a deep breath, and

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

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

was young.

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

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

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

the

my father and brother when I was

there. The moment we stepped foot in the shop, Ector and I were

that would aid well in battles,