Chapter 47

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 l*ps 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.

I smoothed down the front of my own new sweater. Mine was a similar knit, but instead of blue, it was a nice deep green.

“Are you ready to go?” I asked, and when Finnick nodded, my smile was genuine. His excitement touched my heart and healed a little bit of the hurt from

Asher.

“Grab your jacket,” I advised. “We need to be prepared for it to be a little chilly.”

“Yes, Mommy,” Finnick replied, and after he grabbed his 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.

We stepped out of the room and into the busy hall, and then we made our way to the entrance of the palace.

Finnick and I were going to visit the main street of Anemond. Much to my relief the hunting festival had just ended, so it wouldn’t be as bustling as usual.

As we left the palace and made our way through the grounds and toward the city, I was reminded of when I was a child. Back then, there would be a festival 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 on the streets, along with areas for food and beverages. made from precious plants that only grew in the hunting zone of the forest.

Along with the things for sale, there were talent shows and performances that I 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 felt like another life, another century when I’d been a part of that.

When we finally made it to the main street, my jaw dropped a little.

It was just as bustling as the hunting festival.

Hundreds of people filled the streets, maneuvering around each other like schools of fish. For a moment, I was a little overwhelmed by the sheer amount of activity, and when I looked down at Finnick, I expected the same reaction. But much

to my surprise, Finnick was thrilled. His eyes were wide and his infectious smile was on full display.

I couldn’t blame him. Back in Wild Crawler territory, we didn’t have markets like

this.

“Stay close to me,” I advised him, and after he nodded back, I took a deep breath, and we walked into the market.

gripped Finnick’s hand tightly as we made our way into the crowd.

He tugged on me more than usual and with the other hand, he pointed out all of the various stalls and displays. He was in awe of everything, just as I’d been when I

was young.

Various smells danced through the air, and with them, a 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.

I let Finnick guide me over to a shop nearby, and when we stopped in front of it, my jaw nearly dropped again and my eyes widened.

Through the shop’s window, I could see they were selling adorable puppies. When my eyes flew to the sign above the door, a strange feeling went through me.

I didn’t think the shop still existed.

I’d visited this place with my father and brother when I was young.

Back then, 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 stepped foot in the shop, Ector and I were absolutely enamored by the cute puppies, and we desperately wanted Father to buy one for us.

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

We did our best to convince him, but Father didn’t think it was a good idea.

Back then, he’d told us it was because they both were over the age of fifteen at that time. Ector would soon be old enough to be recruited as a young warrior, and as such he would be sent on missions that would keep him from taking care of a puppy. As for me, I would soon be considered a young lady and my duties would keep me from also taking care of an animal.

As he listed the reasons, Ector and I knew he was right.

But in the end, I knew the decision wasn’t because of Ector’s upcoming military

recruitment.

Finnick stared through the window with enormous eyes, and I recognized that look immediately. Back in Wild Crawler, Finnick had begged for a pet, but Emmett had always refused. While he was great with healing people, he wasn’t a fan of animals.

My son turned his attention to me, and I shook my head lightly. I didn’t want to disappoint him, but I had no choice.

“Honey, we can’t have a puppy right now,” I said gently. “We live in the palace

and we can’t do whatever we want. Maybe once we settle down-”

“What if we ask the Alpha King?” Finnick pleaded.

“I don’t think so, sweetheart,” I replied. “He’s a very busy man with much bigger things to worry about. I don’t think he would have the time to hear about a thing like this right now.”

I knew there was a possibility I could ask Asher for this favor, but also… I couldn’t face him, not right now.

Not after our encounter.

As Finnick frowned and I contemplated my situation with the Alpha King yet again, the chiming of bells rang out, and a man stepped out of the shop.

He looked at Finnick and smiled. “Would you like to take a look inside?”