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.

so,” I remarked.

of their land 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 he shouldn’t be doubted. He was cu nning and dangerous, and I needed to stay on my toes

to the king, and then I took a seat in the

meet you

se rvants entered the room moments later with 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 tea. My mouth watered as the smell hit my nose. I hadn’t had much of an appetite

I addressed them as I

thank you,” Kaleb’chimed in, and when he lifted the tea to his lips,

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

seems to me that you have had a rather bad impression of Wegalla,” I remarked, and I pushed down the feeling of irritation

Kaleb said bluntly, and then he offered a strange expression of amusement. “I

I set my tea cup down. My eyes flew to Lancel,

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 market when I

woman.’

before I could stop myself.

hurt,” Kaleb continued. matter-of-factly, but his bright expression faded quickly. “But I must say, the experience left quite an impression.

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

years.

into this,” I announced as my eyebrows creased together. “I can assure you,

of his head. “Do you mean to say that it was simply a stroke of bad luck, a

here,” I emphasized. Alpha Kaleb’s tone was tiresome. and I couldn’t believe I was being challenged like that in my own palace. I wasn’t sure how things were done in

at me for a moment and then

it appears we have brought you bad luck,” he remarked, and he turned his attention back

own and try to steady my breath. I needed to stay calm

to do so.

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