Alpha King’s Lost Luna by Aubrey Pepper

Chapter 33 Troubles

CA SSANDRA

Why had there been a viper near the Palace?

And why had Asher uttered my true name before he’d lost consciousness in the garden?

The questions swirled around in my mind as I stared down at Asher. The Alpha King was fast asleep and tucked tightly into bed. His forehead was still shiny with- sweat and his chest heaved as he breathed laboriously.

Just after he’d been bitten by the viper, I’d screamed my head off and caught the attention of several guards out on the grounds. They’d rushed over to Rosepetal and helped get the king back to his room in the palace.

One of the guards, an older one whose name I couldn’t recall, had asked if I wanted the aid of the other royal healers, but I’d turned down the offer. I didn’t want to risk the others seeing the dark mark on Asher’s skin. Injured or not, I’d made a promise to keep the king’s disease a secret.

Since I’d been appointed as Asher’s private healer, the guards had no problem with me treating him personally. They’d even gone out and retrieved my medical supplies from the palace lab for me.

The viper’s body had been retrieved and sent to the lab with my assistant, Becky. I was assured that once the results were finished, they would be brought to me straight away.

Once I had my supplies, I had one of the guards remain at the door for me, and the other standing just outside the chamber. They’d granted me my privacy and allowed me the space to treat Asher.

I attempted to steady my hands as I cleaned the wound on his wrist, but it was no use. I was a complete and total wreck. Seeing Asher this way made my heart

ache in ways I didn’t know it could. I’d never been this way before. Emmett had always praised me for my calmness when it came to the horrific things I’d seen during medical treatment. I’d always been able to prioritize my patient’s health over my own emotions, but today…

Today I was scared.

took a long, deep breath and tried to concentrate. I needed to stay sharp and focused if I was going to be of any use here. Asher needed me to remain calm

worked quickly and dabbed the bite carefully with my supplies. Once the wound was clean, I could begin to apply medicine to it and get the swelling under.. control.

my rags down, I heard a commotion from

a guard’s voice called out, and then suddenly, the doors

sharp intensity, and for a moment, I thought her gaze was going to set

she stormed into the room and raced towards me. Her hand was raised high and her finger pointed right at my face as her ivory nightgown billowed

Adalyn,” I tried to reason with her, but it was of no

mean it. You’re a murderer and a conspirer. I’m willing to bet you used some kind of peasant black magic to control

as I took a step backward. “You’re not making any sense. I don’t

and then she lunged at me. I closed my eyes and braced for impact, but when it never came,

Let

me!” she screamed at the guard, and when she reached toward me, her fingernails shifted into long,

the guard apologized as he tried to hold Adalyn still, “Your cannot harm the royal healer, not when she’s

hissed. “Treating my husband?

thrash, but it was no use. The guard’s grip on her was too strong. Once I was certain she wouldn’t be able to break free,

Lady Adalyn,” I said coldly and calmly, and I raised my chin slightly. “As the king’s private healer, I’ve already started to administer the treatment. Besides, I’m the only one here in the palace with the knowledge needed to treat the viper bite. The beast was nearly identical to the one that bit Prince Marco back in the Wild Crawler Pack, and I was able to cure him quickly if you recall. So, if your don’t wish for the Alpha King to meet a tragic fate, you will please be quiet and allow me to work.”

mouth as if she

to trust me and let me care for Asher like the

thrashing about

were

of me wanted to brace myself for an attack, but the other part knew I needed to stand my ground. Adalyn couldn’t