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.

and then bowed. “At your service, Your

spotted the shards immediately. She gave

apologized as she dusted the floor. “My

the maid

crashed over me. This maid wasn’t just any

She was Erika.

My former nanny.

look after me and my brother Ector while he was away working. Erika was a perfect match for us. She was kind-hearted and caring, and we loved her as if she was another member of the family. When we grew up,

meant the world

I’d wanted to hire her as

clear my father’s name, but it was of no use. I couldn’t let Erika get involved

her smile

blonde hair was streaked with a few grays,

I knew Erika would

know me now. I wasn’t Cora anymore.

things weren’t safe. So, I pushed my sadness

she turned to the Alpha King who gestured for her to

in. He was an extremely tall man with long auburn hair, a thick beard, and an incredibly freckled complexion. His eyes were as black as coal, but they weren’t unkind. He wore soft gray pants, at button-down shirt, and a pin

Majesty,” he greeted the Alpha

to me. “This is the Chief Healer, Marten. Marten, this is Ca

to meet you,”

as

Asher said. “You’re welcome to

I replied, and I

sofa. We quietly walked out of the study, and once we passed through the double

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

the hall and once we reached the

a strange expression on it. She

eyebrow at me.

at her once and attempted to walk past, but she