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.

long, deep breath and tried to concentrate. I needed to stay sharp and focused if I was going to be of any use here.

quickly and dabbed the bite carefully with my supplies. Once the wound was clean, I could begin to apply medicine

as I set my rags down, I heard a commotion from

voice called out, and then suddenly, the doors flew open, and in walked Asher’s

they bore into mine with sharp intensity, and for a moment,

her finger pointed right at my face

Adalyn,” I tried to reason with her, but it was of

murderer and a conspirer. I’m willing to bet you used some

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

my eyes and

Let

when she reached toward me, her fingernails shifted into long, shiny claws.

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

my husband? I

was no use. The guard’s grip on her was too strong. Once I was certain

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

eyes shot daggers toward me and her nostrils flared. She opened her mouth as if she was going to speak, but then no sound

bested her? Did she know that she had no choice but to trust me and let me care for Asher like the healer

thrashing about and stiffened.

were

her, but after a moment, he released his hold on her. Part of me wanted to brace myself for an attack, but the other part knew I needed to stand my ground. Adalyn couldn’t bring me harm,