Alpha King’s Lost Luna by Aubrey Pepper

Chapter 80 Lie

ASHER

I stared into my son’s eyes with disdain as I fought to refocus my mind. Out of the corner of my vision, I could see Ca ssandra leaving the chamber. Though I needed to concentrate on Marco’s words, I was still a little bothered after my

encounter with the healer.

“Marco, why are you here?” I asked him as my frustration began to rise. When my son began to pout, I decided to soften my tone. The boy was visibly distressed and I didn’t want to usher in another tantrum. “What’s going on?”

Though I didn’t want to admit it, part of me knew that I’d been neglecting the boy quite often these days. I’d been so caught up in all of the drama of the snakes and the market, and the other various goings on in Anemond that I’d barely even seen Marco.

“Daddy, why haven’t you visited Mommy?” Marco whined, and his lip began to quiver. “She was severely hurt and she’s in pain. She needs you right away, Daddy!”

A heavy sigh escaped me before I could stop it.

Adalyn.

Just the thought of her made my head ache again.

“Marco, I don’t have the time right now,” I said gently as I pinched the bridge of my nose between my fingers. “Daddy has a lot that he has to deal with, and besides, it’s late-”

“You could visit Mommy now!” Marco announced. “IE you have time to talk with the healer lady, why can’t you talk with Mommy?”.

The young prince’s theory wasn’t a bad one, and I had to acknowledge the logic in his words. But then again, I knew that this idea wasn’t unprompted.

“Did your mother ask you to come here?” I asked, and I tried to shove down the mounting frustration within me. Marco’s cheeks lost their color and his eyes fell again to the ground.

“Mommy did want you to come see her,” he said quietly as he gave a little kick. “But she didn’t tell me to come here. It was my idea, Daddy. I just want you and Mommy to be happy, that’s all.”

The sentiment hung in the air and I felt a tug at my heart. I couldn’t blame Marco for feeling this way. Adalyn and I hadn’t been model parents lately. He deserved better adults to look up to. How was he ever going to learn what a healthy relationship looked like if we didn’t at least pretend to conduct ourselves like

adults?

out and took his hand. “Let’s

up immediately. “Really?”

I nodded.

lips curled up into a grin

was going. One of them decided to remain outside of the room while the other offered to accompany us to the House of Moses. I agreed to the young man’s offer, and then the three of us made our way

palace grounds, but existed just on the outskirts. The walk was a quiet one, but I could tell that Marco was beyond excited. I wanted to remind him to lower his expectations, but at the same time, I

reached the grand estate, Marco rushed ahead to the front door and knocked on it happily. Moments later, the door opened, and Linda Moses greeted

surprise. “Hello there! Please,

small prayer to the Moon Goddess. This was likely going to be a terrible

asked as we lingered for a moment in the foyer. I peered up

stairs but didn’t see the Beta up

“He’s away visiting

any further. Admittedly, I was happy that

joy.

here to see Mommy!” Marco exclaimed

Linda said enthusiastically. “I’m sure she’ll be very happy

With every step, I forced myself to breathe. I could do this.

and moments later, there was a

other side.

called out. It sounded as

as she turned back to face me.

quarrel with her father,” she explained gently and Marco looked worried.

myself, and once

said.

and then the door flew open. Adalyn stood there, wearing a simple dark red

see you!” Marco said, and he wrapped his arms around Adalyn’s legs. Adalyn’s golden eyes remained fixed on

level. “Why don’t you go see Grandma for a while while Daddy and I have a grown-up

time! I’ll go play with