Alpha King’s Lost Luna by Aubrey Pepper

Chapter 54 Banquet

CA SSANDRA

I’d been apprehensive at the idea of attending the banquet that evening, but the king of Yurene had been insistent upon me joining them. I’d provided excuse after excuse, but they did me no good. The man was simply not taking no for an

answer.

So, I thanked him for the invitation and immediately headed back to my room to figure out what I would wear to such an occasion.

Back in Wild Crawler, I’d never attended banquets or fine events. Our lifestyle there was much more rugged and simple, so I didn’t have much in the way of fancy clothing.

Erika seemed surprised when I returned to my chambers and explained the situation to her.

“That’s wonderful that you were invited, Ca ssandra,” she said, and then her eyebrows creased together. “Hmm. I wonder what you will wear…”

“That’s my problem,” I replied, and a lump formed in my throat. “I don’t own anything acceptable enough to attend a banquet.“

Suddenly, the maid’s eyes glimmered and she flashed me an excited smile.

“Hold on,” she said mysteriously. “I have an idea.”

Before I could stop her, she’d snuck out of the room and disappeared for a while. When she returned, she had a dress bag in her hands.

“Let’s get you ready,” she announced.

We spent the rest of the evening primping and prepping me. Erika’s hands were steady and she managed to turn my hair from wild to sleek and shiny. She carefully

curled it so it fell in soft waves to my waist and then secured a section of it with a jeweled comb.

Once my hair was sorted, she helped me apply a touch of makeup. I was a little terrified at first, but Erika was very talented. She lined my eyes lightly with eyeliner and applied a rich black mascara that made my lashes long and lustrous. She also added a touch of cre amy blush that brought color back to my cheeks and a touch of pearlescent shimmer to my eyelids.

The maid finished off the look with a soft lipstick that didn’t make me feel too foolish, and when she held the mirror to my face, a gasp escaped me.

my natural beauty in a way I hadn’t expected, and for the first. time in a

she led me over to the dress bag and unzipped it to reveal a dress. that made my heart

“I held on to a few of her belongings after she

to fight back

would be happy if she knew you were wearing it,” she continued on, and she forced back a sniffle. “I think the two of you

you,” I managed, and I

same one I’d worn to the ball where I’d found out Asher was my true mate.

a flowing skirt that cascaded to the floor like moonlight.

and she sure wasn’t about to find out now. So, I thanked her and swept her into a hug.

in mind that I’d had Finnick between then and now and I wasn’t quite the same shape as before. It was a little

let’s get you to the banquet hall. I’ll keep an eye on Finnick for you this evening, so don’t worry about being

Erika. This

smiled. “Of course,

moment’s hesitation, I left the room and made my way down the bustling hall. I wasn’t sure where the banquet was being held so I decided to follow the crowd of people down the stairs. As we descended, I realized where we were

stepped foot in the formal hall, I forced myself to take a deep breath. Many years ago, what felt like an eternity ago, I’d come here to attend Asher’s coming-of-age ceremony and found out we were destined to know one another by the Moon. It had been

of dark blue, trimmed in white fur, and the

warmly as his eyes traveled over

stunning.”

said. “You look

was then I realized his weren’t the only eyes watching me. Around us, groups of people chattered and stared

mouth to speak, but before he could utter

dressed in a sleek black dress that hugged every curve of her lithe frame and Asher wore a dark, severe suit to match. His gray eyes were sharper than usual, as if he were agitated, but the rest

suit almost made me gasp. The Alpha King was gloriously handsome. But I had to contain myself.

arm.

raised an eyebrow at me before taking Asher’s

to see you, Alpha Kaleb,” she greeted the king of Yurene

replied, and while his tone was warm, I could sense

stared at me with intensity, as if he were trying to burn a hole. through