Alpha King’s Lost Luna by Aubrey Pepper

Chapter 266 A familiar figure CASSANDRA yr Through my chamber window, I could see cars and well-dressed werewolves cross through the main gate and enter the fortress every hour starting from the early morning hours. Even from my place on the second floor, I could hear the bustling sounds of the grounds.

Vlokwell was alive with activity, and my heart was racing as I realized the scale of this impending wedding.

Most of the guests attending Helene and Ronald’s ceremony were being accommodated in the main building, but a few were being housed in the side buildings, including the one where I resided.

With all of the activity and movement

| throughout the fortress, Ms. Benn was incredibly busy. The head housekeeper stopped by my chamber early in the morning when she usually dropped off Lila and when I noticed her daughter wasn’t with her, mentioned that she would be bringing her daughter by later in the day.

As I heard the noise from the hallway filter into my room, I felt uneasy. I hadn’t heard this much commotion in my entire time here, and I was a little nervous about it all.

Despite my anxiety at the event itself and the large amount of guests, the excitement of the wedding had spread through the entire castle. For the first time since I'd arrived, there was a peaceful and harmonious atmosphere.

Music and conversation filled the halls, and even the guards, who usually wore

harsh expressions, were smiling. It was a little strange to behold, but I decided to use everyone’s good moods to my advantage.

When I approached the guards with Lila and Finnick in tow and asked them if I could take a walk outside, they didn’t object much. Instead, they simply recommended that I take a route to avoid the main road and the guests.

I nodded in understanding and after I offered them smiles, they let us pass by.

It was a gray and cloudy day, but I didn’t let the lack of sun bother me too much. I was just happy to leave the prison of my chamber unaccompanied by anyone but my son and his friend.

As we walked, I caught some of the eyes of guests but averted my gaze quickly before the guards could notice.

[ was hoping to find someone who dressed like a Southerner, but I wasn’t having much luck with it. Everyone out in the yard appeared to be Northerners, much to my dismay, and I had to stifle my disappointment to avoid suspicion from the guards.

Lila and Finnick ran happily in front of me, their eyes alight with excitement as they scanned the busy grounds.

Though I was a little stressed, I was grateful they were at least feeling happy for the first time in a while.

My attention was caught suddenly by a large box being carried in by a few servants. It was a beautiful scarlet color, with the image of the Moon Goddess carved into the surface of it.

The Goddess’ image was soft and kind.

As I studied it, I had the strong feeling it was a gift from the South. I didn’t suspect that the savage and violent Northerners would ever portray the Moon Goddess in such a soft sort of manner.

I craned my neck around as they walked past and tried to search the yard for potential Wegallians. Before I could find anyone, I heard Finnick call my name.

“Mommy!” he shouted and then he repeated himself as he ran right into me.

“What is it?” I wondered as I frowned down at him in surprise. My son didn’t answer at first. He stared at me with concern in his large gray eyes and after

he let out a soft sigh, he gestured, indicating for me to squat down.

I wasn’t sure what was so dire, but I obliged without question. Once I was at his level, Finnick leaned in close and whispered in my ear.

“Mommy,” he said softly. “Mommy, I saw the Alpha King.” My lips parted in shock.

The Alpha King? ~~ T'was completely stunned for a moment. My heart raced and I fought to catch my breath. I managed to steady myself seconds later and then spoke.

“Do you mean Asher?” I asked.

I knew it was likely a silly question, but I had to know with absolute certainty

that Finnick was speaking about my mate and not Kaleb.

When my son nodded firmly, I instinctively lifted my head and craned around eagerly, searching the lawn for Asher. Unfortunately, he didn’t seem to be anywhere near us. I couldn’t find a single man who looked like Asher.

My lower lip trembled in disappointment, and my eyes began to well up with tears. I wouldn’t have known what to say to him anyway, but I'd been so thrilled and relieved to see him that hadn’t cared.

Asher.

My Asher.

Before the tears could fall down, my cheeks, I managed to calm down. As

much as I wanted to believe he was here, it sounded impossible. How could Asher be here? That would be ridiculous, not to mention reckless on his part.

“You must have seen wrong, honey,” I said to Finnick softly.

He frowned and then shook his head.

“I saw him, Mommy! I know I did.” His voice grew louder, and I began to panic as the guards started to glance in our direction. I didn’t want to attract attention, especially when it came to something like this.

“Shh,” I shushed him strongly but not harshly. “Quiet down, Finnick. You must have seen someone else.” “But-" he started to protest, but when

I shook my head, his voice came to a halt. As his eyes fell to the ground, Lila glanced between us in confusion.

Knowing we had the risk of calling attention to ourselves, I decided that it was time for us to go back inside. I wasn’t in the mood to walk anymore.

As we returned to our room, my mind was only focused on Asher. No matter what I did, I couldn’t shift my thoughts away from his face and the possibility he could be here in Yurene.

Once we were back, I tried to distract myself but I couldn’t. I went to the far corner of the room and stared out the window. My lip began to quiver again. I had been missing and worrying about Asher nonstop since I'd arrived here in the North, and I couldn’t suppress

feelings any longer. I'd tried being strong, but what was the point? Tears finally escaped me, and as I quietly cried, I heard footsteps approach, and when I turned around, Finnick was behind me. His gray eyes were even wider than usual and he wore a saddened expression.

“I’m sorry, Mommy,” he apologized quietly. “I really thought I saw someone who looked like the Alpha King. I didn’t mean to make you so © sad.” His voice was completely heartbreaking, and while I had been upset by his words, it wasn’t his fault.

He was just a child, after all.

“It’s not your fault,” I assured him, and I reached out and drew him toward me. I wrapped my arms around him

and then kissed him on the forehead.

“It was just someone who looked like him. Mommy is alright. I promise.”