Alpha King’s Lost Luna by Aubrey Pepper

Chapter 52 Rude Northerner

ASHER

“You’re very late, Alpha Asher. Is it customary of your Pack to keep your guests

waiting?”

The moment I stepped into the first-floor meeting room, a heavily accented voice reached my ears, and I raised my eyebrows in surprise. Though I knew the voice belonged to the King of Yurene, I was shocked by how callously I was being

spoken to.

The king stood from the couch very slowly and then extended his hand toward mine. “I jest, of course, though you do appear to be quite busy.””

I stared at his hand for a moment before I accepted it in mine. “I suppose I am quite busy. I’m sorry to keep you waiting-”

“Are you ill?” Kaleb blurted out. “You look tired-”

Lancel took a step forward in warning, but I raised a hand to stop him.

“It’s fine,” I murmured.

Kaleb studied us with a curious expression and then chuckled. “It seems the people of the South are more tense than us Northerners.”

The king of Yurene was one of the tallest men I’d ever seen. I wasn’t short by any means, but compared to his impressive stature, I felt like a child again. His hair was somewhere between gold and brown, and his deep blue eyes were dark and haunting. His appearance was sophisticated but his attire was another thing completely. He was dressed in deep leathers and furs that suggested a colder climate than it was. It made sense- Yurene’s climate was likely much colder than that of Wegalla’s.

Despite his height, he appeared to be a few years younger than me and still

had a softness to his smile.

suppose so,”

through war and disputes, Kaleb was known to use softer policies to annex other packs into their empire. That being said, I could see a certain glint in his eyes that suggested

Bert, and my counselors,” I introduced the group to the king, and

to meet you all,” Kaleb said

trays in their hands. They arranged a teapot, cups, and small tiers of snacks on the table before us, and then filled each of the cups with my favorite blend of

addressed them as

lifted the tea to his lips, he inhaled deeply and smiled. “This smells

and his smile widened. “A wonderful selection, Alpha Asher. I must say, the tea in the South is very worthy of praise. The only praise I’ve been able to

bad impression of Wegalla,” I remarked, and I pushed down the feeling of irritation that had

strange expression of amusement. “I didn’t expect

I repeated back, and I set my tea cup down. My eyes flew to Lancel, but my

My men and I were walking around the market earlier. I wanted to get a feel for Anemond before I arrived in the palace. I’ve only heard tales. of Wegalla from my father, you see, so I wanted to get to know the city myself. I was in the middle of the

woman.’

before I

before she could be hurt,” Kaleb continued. matter-of-factly, but his bright expression faded quickly. “But I must say,

the capital could be dangerous, but something like this… it all sounded so strange. Crime hadn’t been this bad

years.

together. “I can

a slight tilt of his head. “Do you mean

like that in my own palace. I

for a moment and

he remarked, and he

to sip at my own and try to steady my breath.

to do so.

brings you here, Alpha Kaleb?” I wondered. “From our correspondence, I hadn’t expected you to