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.

a similar knit, but instead of blue, it was

go?” I asked, and when Finnick nodded, my smile was genuine. His excitement

Asher.

I advised. “We need to be prepared for it

jacket, I double-checked my purse and made sure I had everything necessary. Once I was certain I was ready, I grabbed my own jacket and took my son’s hand in mine.

out of the room and into the busy hall, and then we made our way

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

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

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 to the main street, my

was just as bustling as the

overwhelmed by the sheer amount of activity, and

thrilled. His eyes were wide and his infectious smile

him. Back in Wild Crawler territory, we

this.

after he nodded back, I took a deep breath, and we walked into the market.

tightly as we made our way into

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

was young.

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 familiar.

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

puppies. When my eyes flew to the sign above the door, a strange

didn’t think the shop

my father and brother when I

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

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