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

dress bag and unzipped it to

to Cora,” Erika revealed with a small, sad smile. “I held on to a few of her belongings after she died. This was one

to fight back

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

managed, and I choked back a

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

beaded bodice and a flowing skirt that cascaded to the floor like moonlight. It was completely

find out now. So, I thanked her and swept her

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

get you to the banquet hall. I’ll keep an eye on

Erika.

“Of course, Ca ssandra.”

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.

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 had also been where

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

as his eyes traveled over me. “You

stunning.”

you,” I said. “You

groups of people chattered and stared

speak, but before he could utter another

a dark, severe suit to match. His gray eyes were sharper than usual,

gasp. The

arm.

nostrils flared and she raised an eyebrow at me before

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

warm, I

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