Alpha King’s Lost Luna by Aubrey Pepper

Chapter 30 Reunion with her nanny

CA SSANDRA

I could only blame myself for my own carelessness. Finnick’s eyes. Why hadn’t I found a better excuse for their coloring, and why had I let myself tense up so much when the Alpha King had inquired about them?

I should have been more prepared, more calm… but everything about Asher Collins’ presence set every nerve in my body on fire. I was a deer, cornered by his steel-like gaze.

I couldn’t even keep my grip on a simple teacup. When it shattered all over the floor of the king’s study, I found myself wishing I’d shattered with it to avoid the embarrassment of facing him.

“I’m so sorry, Your Majesty!” I cried, and then I lept to my feet and started collecting the pieces from the floor. All the while, my forehead broke out in sweat, and heat spread through my cheeks. This was beyond mortifying.

“It’s okay,” Asher muttered as I cleaned around the room. “It was an accident.”

Yet, his tone said otherwise. I’d made a huge mistake. I’d broken palace property and probably burned the Alpha King’s skin with my carelessness.

“You don’t need to do that, Healer Ca ssandra,” Asher said as he dabbed at his shirt. “A s rvant will sort that out.”

I rose to my feet instantly and then bowed my head.

I

“My apologies,” I said quietly. I set the shards down on an empty part of the table and then brushed my hands on my trousers before I sat back down. Beside me, Finnick looked flabbergasted, and I couldn’t blame him. I wasn’t conducting myself properly at all, and I hoped he wasn’t too embarrassed by my actions.

“Are you okay, Mommy?” he whispered, and I nodded my head and patted him

on the shoulder.

Asher sighed and then stood and walked over to his desk. He reached into a drawer and retrieved a bell. He rang it three times and then replaced it in the drawer. Once he was finished, he sat back down on the leather sofa and crossed his

legs.

He opened his mouth to speak, but before he could utter another word the doors to the study opened, and a maid entered the room.

approached Asher quickly and then bowed. “At your service, Your Majesty.”

maid spotted the shards immediately. She gave the

so sorry,” I apologized as she dusted the

to apologize, miss,” the maid replied. “It’s

up at me, and suddenly, realization crashed

She was Erika.

My former nanny.

I was young, and my father had been a busy Ga mma in the king’s service, so, he hired a nanny to look after me and my brother Ector while he was away working. Erika

meant the

been banished, the house of my family had been sealed up. Erika had been dismissed and forced to leave. I’d wanted to hire her as my private maid in Rosepetal, but

best to clear my father’s name, but it was of no use. I couldn’t let Erika get involved in the mess. She was too kind and dear to me to risk.

years, but her smile was just as sweet

with a few grays, but her hazel eyes were brighter than ever.

death. I knew Erika would

now. I wasn’t Cora anymore.

did, things weren’t safe. So, I pushed

she turned to the Alpha King

long auburn hair, a thick beard, and an incredibly freckled complexion. His eyes were as black as coal, but they weren’t

greeted the Alpha King

Marten. Marten, this is Ca ssandra Keller, the healer

to meet you,” Marten

as well,

Keller, I must speak with Marten privately,” Asher

replied, and I

and I helped him off of the sofa. We quietly walked out of the study, and once we passed through the double doors,

had been messy, and I was relieved for it to be

hall and once we reached the stairs, I nearly froze in

strange expression on it. She stared me down with her amber eyes and then

eyebrow at me.

and attempted to walk past,