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.

my fears, I 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 and collected.

the bite carefully with my supplies. Once the wound was clean, I could begin

down, I heard a commotion from outside the chamber.

out, and then suddenly, the doors flew

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

me. Her hand was raised high and her finger pointed right at my face as her ivory nightgown billowed around.. “You backwoods piece of commoner trash! I bet this

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

dare speak my name,” she practically growled as she drew closer. “I mean it. You’re a murderer and a conspirer. I’m willing to bet you used some kind of peasant black magic

step backward. “You’re

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

Let

reached toward

lady,” the guard apologized as he tried to hold Adalyn still, “Your cannot harm the royal healer, not when

she hissed. “Treating my husband? I don’t think

girlish shout and continued to thrash, but it was no use. The guard’s grip on her was too strong. Once I was certain she wouldn’t

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

mouth as if she

Did she know that she had no choice but to trust me and let me care for

thrashing about and stiffened. The

oves were

peered down at 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, not when the Alpha King’s life was at