Alpha King’s Lost Luna by Aubrey Pepper

Chapter 249

CASSANDRA

I was a little taken aback by Finnick’s serious request. His face appeared timid, yet his tone was solemn, much more sole than a child’s should have been. As I studied his expression, I felt ashamed of myself for borderline neglecting my son thes days. I’d been so immersed in this undercover business that I didn’t have much time to talk with Finnick, aside from our daily goodnight kiss.

When I shifted my gaze, I realized I’d left Helene’s map on the table not too far away.

“Okay, honey,” I agreed. “I just need to do something really quick, okay?”

Finnick nodded politely, and then I moved forward and folded the map up. I stashed it aside, and once it was gone, I gestured for Finnick to join me.

“Come here, baby,” I urged him, and after I took a seat, I extended my arms out to him. “Would you like to sit in my lap?”

My son nodded and then gave me a little smile. He climbed onto my lap and I held him close. I ran my hands through his dark hair and then stroked his cheek affectionately.

“I’m sorry for interrupting you, Mommy,” Finnick apologized as he leaned into my touch. “Aunt Erika said you were busy these days, so I shouldn’t bother

you as much.”

“You could never bother me,” I insisted. “Ever. I’m always here for you, honey. Now, what did you want to tell me?”

I continued to pet his hair as he remained silent, and then he gathered the courage to speak.

“Is Lila going to die, Mommy?” he wondered quietly.

I was instantly surprised by this question as well as his saddened tone. “Why would you ask something like that, baby?”

“Lila told me her disease was incurable,” Finnick answered, and his sterling eyes fell downward.

I lifted his chin and shook my head. “That isn’t true, Finnick. Lila is getting better with every passing day. She was sick with pneumonia, which is extremely curable. She’s going to get better soon.”

But Finnick shook his head. “Lila told me that there was something else in her body that she couldn’t get out, and it’s devouring her and her mother day by day.”

My eyebrows shot up as I tried to make sense of such words coming from my five-year-old’s mouth.

to talk to me anymore,” he continued quietly. “She didn’t want to be friends

at the end of his sentence. It was heartbreaking to see him get so worked up over something that likely wasn’t

gently as I wiped the tears from his cheeks. “Lila isn’t going to die. She doesn’t have any other serious illnesses and she’s going to recover soon. I know it seems scary, but she’s going to be

spoke again “Mommy, are we going to leave this country?”

but felt a bit worried. “Yes. Finnick, do

Wild Crawler. Can we go back there after we leave here?

r

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Chapter 249

too stuffy. I miss the trees in Wild Crawler. Can we please go back there and pretend none of this happened, Mommy? Please!

knew the possibility was likely small. “I also miss Wild Crawle could go back there too. Who knows, maybe we can make it

lingered between us and then

us when we leave?” he pleaded, his voice more urgent

surprised again by

won’t want to leave,” I tried to

head.. “It was her request, Mommy. She wants to leave with us. She said her incurable disease is caused by this country and she wants to leave for good.”

understand what he was talking about. Children often had lofty imaginations, but something told me there was more to this situation than I thought. Something was going on here, though I wasn’t sure what yet.

never liked her mother,” Finnick pressed. “She’s using her, and Lila hates being used,

at him. “Lila might just be unhappy because her mother is so busy, Finnick. But Ms. Benn loves Lila. She’s been worried about Lila’s condition. It was she

friend. “She said her mother didn’t want her to die because she still wanted to use her.

was confused at once.

thing for Finnick to say, but at the same time, I knew that he wasn’t one to tell tall tales. He was always such a truthful child, sometimes to a fault.

in

to get involved in anything dangerous. We were already in such a precarious position here in Yurene. We couldn’t

on, I summoned my courage and maintained

do you mean, honey?” I wondered. “How does Lila make her mother useful to

woman who came to our room not long after we arrived. The one with the