Alpha King’s Lost Luna by Aubrey Pepper

Chapter 57 The North King’s offer

CA SSANDRA

My heart beat like a hummingbird’s wings as I stared at Kaleb. I’d messed up and given myself away, I

just knew it.

Much to my surprise, Kaleb didn’t seem to put two and two together and simply continued dancing.

“No wonder you don’t seem like you belong here,” Kaleb remarked with a raised eyebrow. “You look

quite uncomfortable here with these… arrogant, upper-class

snobs of Anemond.”

I couldn’t contain myself and a laugh escaped me.

Kaleb frowned. “Did I say something funny?”

“No, no,” I assured him. “No, I’m sorry.”

Truth be told, I didn’t feel uncomfortable in this setting. I used to enjoy the finer things like fancy balls

and banquets. I also used to love dancing and having all of the eyes of the room on me as I lost myself

in the music.

But I wasn’t Cora anymore and Anemond wasn’t my home. It was a terrifying place where I needed to

stay guarded and not let my disguise slip.

The next move in the dance was a spin and Kaleb handled it beautifully. He had a natural rhythm about

him that was satisfying to see and even better to witness as his dance partner. The skirt of my dress

flared out with the motion and as the music swelled, a warmth bloomed in me. For the first time in a

while… I felt content,

almost.

Thoughts of Asher and his outburst threatened to creep into my mind, but I pushed them away before

they could ruin this.

Kaleb’s hands fell to my waist as we turned in time with the music.

“Ca ssandra, would you like to go to the North with me?” he asked abruptly, and my jaw nearly

dropped.

“Excuse me?” I asked in shock.

“Would you like to come back with me to Yurene?” he asked again. “The North is nothing like here. You

would have more freedom, no worries of kidnapping-”

I was so taken aback that I almost tripped, but Kaleb managed to steady me. In the process, my lips

brushed against his cheek lightly. Heat spread to my own and I stepped back. This was getting worse

and worse by the second.)

As I fought to find the right words to say, the crowd erupted into applause. I hadn’t realized that the king

and I had garnered the attention of the entire banquet hall.

Kaleb smiled brilliantly, his deep blue eyes glittering as he glanced around the room. There was no

denying it, he was effortlessly handsome. The candlelight made. his hair look even more golden and

his cheeks were flushed a warm pink from the

dance.

His proposal was tempting, but there was no way I could leave.

The king of Yurene gently touched my arm and guided me away from the crowd. Once we were alone

in an empty area of the room, he tilted his head and

studied me.

“So?” he asked, and he reached out and ran his large hand through a tendril of my hair. “What do you

think?”

I considered my words carefully as panic bloomed within me.

“Thank you, Your Majesty, for your offer,” I said slowly. “It’s very kind of you to ask me to come to

Yurene with you. But I have to stay here in Anemond. I have a job to do as a royal healer and I don’t

think the Alpha King would allow me to leave.”

I took a step backward. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I think I need to return to my chambers for the

evening.”

Kaleb took a step closer, and when he did, the strange smell of his cologne hit my nose. I hadn’t

noticed it in the crowd, but now that we were alone, I could detect

I

the scent of roses and something sp icy, peppery almost. It was an unusual fragrance, but still very

pleasant.

“I’m not joking about my offer,” he said in a low voice that sent a chill through me. “Please, consider it. I

would even discuss it with the Alpha King myself if

must.”

I nodded and forced back the lump in my throat. Before Kaleb could utter another word, I turned on my

heels and swiftly walked out of the room. With every step, I could feel myself going faster until I was

practically running. This continued until I reached the stairs, and once I was sure no one was following

me, I released a sigh and walked at a slower pace.

A heavy sigh escaped me. I hadn’t expected any of this.

What-made Asher leave the banquet hall? And why did Kaleb ask me to go to

Yurene with him?

I smoothed the front of my gown and thought about the dress I’d stained with wine earlier. Though the

maid had said they’d clean it, I knew it would be difficult to get such a dark red out of the pale silver

fabric. The dress would never be the

same.

My eyes welled up a little. I felt sorry for Erika. She’d been so thrilled and willing to lend me something

that meant so much to her and my clumsiness had likely

ruined the dress forever.

The tears streamed down my cheeks and I had to take a moment to breathe. I crouched down over the

rail of the stairs as a strange feeling crashed over me. I too was feeling a loss of sorts. This whole

evening was a cruel reminder that no matter how much I wanted to be, I would never be Cora Felix

again. I could wear the same dress, dine in the same banquet room, dance the same dance… but I

couldn’t be Cora again. That life was gone forever and there was nothing I could do about it.

I lingered there on the stairs for a while until I could get myself under control, and once I was more

steady, I headed toward my chamber.

The halls were quiet and empty, which I was grateful for. Everyone was still back in the banquet hall,

dancing their troubles and cares away while drinking wine.

Suddenly, Asher’s cold expression replayed in my mind. His icy glare from across the table had been

so intense that I wasn’t sure if I should say something or apologize.

Before I could make that decision, my body subconsciously guided me toward the Alpha King’s study. I

had no idea what I was going to say, but I had to try something.

Adalyn suddenly appeared in the distance. She strode through the hallway quickly and even from my

vantage point, I could see she was visibly distressed.

I hid myself in the darkness and placed my hand over my mouth so as to not make any noise. Luckily,

Adalyn didn’t notice me at all and walked right past. The hall filled with the sound of her steady so bs as

she openly wept.

Something had happened, something bad.

Adalyn disappeared at the end of the corridor, and once she was gone, I rose from my hiding spot and

stared down at the door to the Alpha King’s study.

I had no idea what had happened, but I decided it would be best not to visit

Asher or try to apologize tonight.

So, I turned on my heels and headed back to my chamber.