Alpha King’s Lost Luna by Aubrey Pepper

Chapter 5 Gray eyes

CA SSANDRA

I was stunned by the severity of his tone. He wasn’t addressing me as Asher Collins. He was ordering

me as the Alpha King.

The last thing I wanted was to stay in the chamber alone with him and the sleeping prince, but as much

as I wanted to disobey his order, I knew I had no choice. He was the ruler of the realm, and I could face

horrible consequences if I didn’t obey.

So, I turned back around. I was about to walk back over to the bed when a

thought crossed my mind.

“My apologies, Your Majesty, but I need to go and take care of my son,” I explained, and it took all of

my effort to keep my voice steady.

“Your son?” Asher repeated back, and he crossed his arms against his chest.

“Yes, my son,” I answered. “He’s waiting for me. I’ve been working all day, so I haven’t had the chance

to see him yet.”

“Where is he?” the Alpha King pressed. His gray eyes narrowed as if he didn’t

wish to let me leave.

“He is with the Luna Sofia’s children,” I answered. “Downstairs, I believe.”

“He will be brought here then,” Asher replied, and he raised his chin. “You cannot leave before my son

awakens.”

His tone was even harsher than his first demand, and a chill ran down my spine.

“A guard will collect your son,” he said. “You will remain here with mine. Is there anything you need in

the meantime?”

I shook my head. “No, Your Majesty. I have all I need right here.”

“Then take a seat,” he ordered. “I will speak with my guard at once.”

I nodded politely, and then walked back over to the side of the room. I took a seat beside the prince’s

bed, meanwhile, Asher crossed over to the double doors. He poked his head out and spoke to the

guards in a commanding voice.

Then the doors closed again. As Asher walked back toward me, I felt my hands begin to shake. There

was no way the Alpha King could see my Finnick, but what could I do? The plan had already been set

in motion, and there was nothing I could

do to stop it.

All I could do was hope the prince would awaken so I could leave the Pack. House with my son and put

this day behind me.

Asher took a seat opposite me, and when he wasn’t looking, I carefully scooted my seat back a little.

There wasn’t much I could do to stay away from him, but I would try my best to maintain distance. I was

scared he could hear how fast my heart was racing in my chest or how my breath was uneven. I was

worried he could

tell I was uneasy.

I couldn’t risk him being suspicious about any of this.

We spent our time in an uncomfortable silence. Asher’s eyes remained fixed on his son, and I tried to

look elsewhere to avoid him. All the while, I prayed the Alpha King’s son would awaken, and the

attention would be taken away from this entire

interaction.

Suddenly, the doors of the chamber flew open, and moments later, a set of footsteps rang out against

the polished wood floors.

“Mommy!” Finnick exclaimed happily, and when I looked up, I saw my son headed toward me at full

speed. Once he reached me, I wrapped my arms around him and drew him into a hug.

“Finnick!” I said, and I planted a kiss on his forehead.

“Mommy, where have you been?” Finnick wondered, and he tilted his head to the side slightly. “I

missed you.”

He frowned and pouted ever-so-slightly. I fought back a laugh at his expression. and smiled. Despite

the look on his face, Finnick’s words brought me happiness. Our bond was wonderful, and my son

always brought me joy no matter what. He had been the reason I’d been able to carry on for the past

five years and was my entire reason for living.

“I’ve missed you too, honey,” I said, and I softened my voice. “We need to stay quiet, alright?”

Finnick nodded. “Okay, Mommy.”

“Did you have a good day?” I asked, and Finnick’s face lit up. He was about to speak when he glanced

over at the sleeping boy beside us. He raised a finger to his lips and then nodded again.

“Yes,” he whispered considerately. “We played hide and seek in the garden, and then Auntie Sofia

taught us how to draw a flower. Dominic said it was called a

dandelion.”

Dominic was Sofia’s son, and he was around Finnick’s age. They were dear friends, and Finnick

thought of the Luna’s son like a brother.

“A dandelion?” I repeated back quietly. “Oh wow! Do you have the picture with

you?”

Finnick nodded happily, and then reached into his pocket. He pulled out a small piece of paper and

handed it to me excitedly.

I opened the folded paper carefully, and my lips curled into a smile. He’d indeed drawn a dandelion,

and he’d done a great job.

“This looks great, Finnick,” I complimented him. “Can I keep this?”

“Of course, Mommy,” Finnick replied.

It was then I remembered Asher. I glanced over at him and when we made eye contact, a feeling of

dread ran through me. Had he been watching us this entire time? My heart ski pped a beat, but I

quickly looked back to Finnick.

“Thank you,” I said, and I kissed his forehead. Finnick grinned and then gave me a huge hug. Once he

pulled away, he looked over at the sleeping prince.

“Is he sick?’ Finnick wondered.

I nodded. “He was bitten by a viper in the forest. But he’s healing up and should

be better soon.”

My son’s ro und e yes widened.

“A viper?” he repeated back quietly. “Oh no. That’s why I don’t like the forest. Too many scary things. I

hope he feels better soon.”

“Me too, darling,” I said.

Finnick studied the prince carefully, and I could tell he felt bad for him. My son was so considerate for

someone so young, and he contained,more empathy than some of the more grown men I knew. He

was so kind and caring, and was always looking out for other people’s feelings, especially mine.

“Wait, Mommy, who’s he?” Finnick asked, and this time, he was staring right at

Asher.

My heart ski pped again as I searched my mind for an answer. How would I explain who he was to my

son? Before I could say anything, Finnick gasped and pointed at Asher,

“Look, Mommy, he has the same gray eyes as me,” he remarked in awe. “But you said it was rare to

have this color eyes!”

My own eyes widened and I froze. Asher’s attention fell to my son, and his lips parted ever so slightly.

He’d noticed it too.

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