Alpha King’s Lost Luna by Aubrey Pepper

Chapter 50 King of Yurene

CA SSANDRA

As much as I wanted to return to the palace on my own, I couldn’t deny Kaleb’s offer to escort Finnick and me. The tall man was kind and besides, he was flanked by a group of muscular men who could defend us against any further threats. I couldn’t allow myself to risk Finnick’s safety again.

As we walked, I couldn’t help but wonder who Kaleb was. The foreign man had to be someone important if he had all of those guards to attend and protect him. Everything about him was poised and proper, and I admired the strong way he held himself as he strode. Normally, those with a stature that tall tended to slouch to make themselves smaller. But Kaleb held himself regally and proud.

Kaleb chattered on as we moved through the thrall of the market. He was making many observations about our surroundings and about Anemond in general, which told me he was new to our lands. Every person we passed by stared at him with curiosity. I couldn’t blame them. Their height, hair, and attire made them stick out like a sore thumb even in a crowd like this.

to ic

I wanted in on the conversation, but I didn’t feel quite up to talking. I was still so overwhelmed by everything that had happened today in the alley.

However, I couldn’t remain silent forever. It was impolite to keep

quiet to

Kaleb mused on about Wegalla, especially after he’d gone through all of the effort to

save me.

So, I answered the questions he had as well as I could.

As we chatted politely, I set Finnick down and let him walk beside me. I gripped his hand tighter than usual, but my son didn’t seem to mind. His pallor was paler than usual, not that I could blame him. I was ready to get him back to the palace as quickly as possible and in the safety of our chambers.

Merliscire was full of terrors and dangers of its own, but at least I didn’t have to

worry about back alley assassins and potential kidnappers.

It took us nearly twenty minutes, but we finally arrived at the gates of the palace. The moment we approached, a se rvant appeared from the shadows. Though I didn’t know his name, I’d seen his young face around the palace quite often.

“Healer Ca ssandra,” he greeted me with a warm smile. “Welcome back.”

Suddenly, his expression shifted when he noticed Kaleb and his group of guards. The young man studied them for a second and then frowned.

Kaleb didn’t seem to notice the strangeness in his gaze.

“Where is the Alpha King?” he asked the se rvant bluntly, and we were all a little taken aback by his question.

se rvant asked, and then he cleared his throat.

held his chin up ever so

He

he stammered. “I didn’t

Lord?

was a lord?

look at him with confusion, but Kaleb merely smiled and shrugged. This day was proving to be a

follow me,” the se rvant waved

the gate, and the moment they

of relief, and Finnick

glad we’re back, Mommy,”

too, honey,” I said quietly, and I squeezed his hand.

growing antsy. I lingered there

much again for saving us,” I said kindly but firmly, and then I gave him a small, apologetic smile. “If you’ll please excuse me, I need to be

reached out and took my free hand in his, raised it to his lips, and kissed it. Heat spread to my cheeks as

to meeting you again, Ca ssandra Keller.”

I gave a small bow of respect and then looked down at Finnick. “Let’s go.”

and then the pair of

our chambers, we were surprised to see Erika waiting for us. We’d originally invited the maid to join us in the market, but she’d told us that she wasn’t a fan of being in crowds, so

remarked as my eyebrows creased together. “What are you doing

here?”

cheerily, and her warm smile grew wider. “I just wanted to come in and do a little something while you were gone.”

realized that our chambers were practically sparkling. I looked around the room in awe. Lately, with how many hours I spent in the lab, I didn’t get much of a chance to tidy up our room. But Erika had taken care of it completely. The shelves were dusted, the floors were polished, our belongings were put away in their proper places, and there were vases of fresh, fragrant flowers everywhere.

Erika,” I gushed. “Oh, you didn’t have to do all

meant to do all

from the market.

to surprise you,” Erika assured me. “It was really no trouble at all.”

I knew. It was nice to know that there was at

mind.

side.

Erika asked immediately,

in the market,” I said quietly, and then I turned to Finnick. “Go wash

your toys.”

he disappeared into the bathroom. Once

Erika.

happened?” she asked softly.