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.

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

over to the dress bag and unzipped it to reveal a dress. that made my heart stop. I

held on to a few of her belongings after she died. This

had to fight back

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

and I choked

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

beautiful 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

found it to be more snug than I remembered. I had to keep 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 uncomfortable, but not too much, so I simply bore it.

I’d spun around. “Now, let’s get you to the banquet hall. I’ll keep an eye on Finnick

you,” I said. “Seriously, Erika. This means

simply smiled. “Of course, Ca

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 going,

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

dark blue, trimmed in white fur, and the color matched his eyes perfectly. His hair shimmered in the light and even I couldn’t help but admit he looked downright

as his

stunning.”

said. “You look very nice yourself.”

the only eyes watching me. Around us, groups of people chattered and stared at me. Heat spread to my cheeks. I wasn’t

before he could

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

The Alpha King was gloriously handsome. But I

arm.

raised an eyebrow at me

Alpha Kaleb,” she

tone was warm, I could

if he were trying to burn a