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.

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

she led me over to the dress bag and unzipped it to reveal a

Erika revealed with a small, sad smile. “I held on

to fight back

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

I managed, and I

the same one I’d worn to the ball where I’d found out Asher

thing, a pale silver with a beaded bodice and a flowing skirt that cascaded to the floor like moonlight. It was completely gorgeous, but seeing it filled me with sadness. It was

wasn’t about to find out now. So, I thanked her and swept

the dress, and I found it to be more snug than I remembered. I had to keep in mind that I’d had Finnick between then

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

Erika.

“Of course, Ca

another 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

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 a beautiful night and the memory of it alone should have put me at ease, but this room

The king of Yurene wore a suit of dark blue, trimmed in white fur, and the

he greeted me warmly as his eyes traveled over me.

stunning.”

said. “You look very

me. Around us, groups of people chattered and stared at me.

he could

severe suit to match. His gray eyes were sharper than usual, as if he were agitated, but

in a suit almost made me gasp. The Alpha King was gloriously handsome. But I had

arm.

an eyebrow

Kaleb,” she greeted the king of

warm, I could sense he didn’t care for

with intensity, as if he were trying to burn a hole. through me. I could tell he was irritated but I couldn’t sense