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.

to stay sharp and focused if I was going to be

supplies. Once the wound was clean, I could

set my rags down, I heard a

then suddenly, the doors flew

face was rendered furious. Her amber eyes were piercing as they bore into mine with sharp intensity, and for a moment, I thought her gaze was going to

right at

with her, but

drew closer. “I mean it. You’re a murderer and a conspirer. I’m willing to bet you used some kind of

step backward. “You’re not making any sense. I don’t have any

told you not to speak my name!” Adalyn shouted, and then she lunged at me. I closed my eyes and braced for impact, but when it never came, I peeked and saw a guard restraining the

Let

and when she reached toward me, her fingernails shifted into long,

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

“Treating my husband? I don’t think

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, I stared deeply into

was nearly

and her nostrils flared. She opened her mouth as if she was going to speak, but then no sound came out.

but to trust me and let me care for Asher like the healer

stopped thrashing about and stiffened. The

oves were

for an attack,