Alpha King’s Lost Luna by Aubrey Pepper

Chapter 56 He needs alcohol

ASHER

“What’s the matter, Asher?” Adalyn demanded as she followed me into my study. “What exactly has gotten into you tonight?”

I fought back a groan as I approached one of the leather couches in the corner. Alcohol had plagued me just a little and my head swam with a mixture of drunkenness and agitation.

“Nothing is wrong,” I sighed as a heavy exhale escaped me “Go back to the banquet, Adalyn. I just need some time alone-”

“Time alone?” Adalyn repeated back in confusion and she shook her head. “Time alone for what, Asher? We have guests downstairs to entertain, in case. you’ve forgotten. We’re supposed to be welcoming the king of Yurene and his diplomats. I don’t think this is making too great of an impression of Wegalla.”

“Don’t tell me what I’m doing wrong,” I managed to say as my head pounded angrily. “I’m fully aware of what’s going on down there. I don’t think our guests care if I step away for a moment-”

“I bet Ca ssandra Keller cares,” my wife blurted out, and I whipped around to glare at her.

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” I challenged her.

“You seem to care a little too much about that healer and what she thinks,” she

seethed, and she crossed her arms against her chest. “I don’t understand what’s going on with you. You’ve never lost control like that in public, not ever. What was that little outburst in the banquet hall about?”

As Adalyn’s golden eyes shot daggers in my direction, I couldn’t help but wonder if she was right..

Did I care too much about Ca ssandra Keller and her whereabouts?

care for the king of Yurene,” I remarked as I fought to find an explanation. “Something about him doesn’t sit right with

at me angrily. As she continued to watch me, Kane’s words sparked back in my mind. Was my stepbrother right?

to the banquet,” I advised her with a wave of my hand. “I’ll see

step toward me. “I

advanced closer, I instinctively took a step back. Her hand raised like she was going to reach out toward me, but I rebuffed her. Adalyn’s red-painted lower lip trembled and for a moment, she looked as if she was going to cry,

her chin

woman because she’s a capable healer,” she said. “But I have a feeling that there’s more to the story than that. I think you’ve either crossed a line or you’re toeing the

then I turned

no stranger to these kinds of accusations. Whenever a woman even tried to hold my attention, even just a simple conversation, Adalyn threw a fit and tried to play at my emotions by bringing up Marco. Sometimes, she even brought Marco with her, as if his presence was going to further any suspected

of way to assure her or cast aside these. accusations. But tonight, I was exhausted. My head was throbbing

live together,” Adalyn pressed when I didn’t respond, and when I glanced over at her, her eyes were

aren’t close, why we don’t stay in the same room. To be honest,

pounding in my head and the soreness of my

speak with Marco,” I said. “He’s a grown-up now. He should understand-”

Adalyn blurted out. “I don’t understand why

out of her eyes. Had it been anyone else, I may have softened. But my heart had

we’re married,” I said coldly.

Luna?” Adalyn demanded. “Why am I not the queen of Wegalla and why haven’t you taken me as your mate? Marriage isn’t enough. I

her as my own in a real sense. We’d had the ceremony, but I hadn’t recognized her in

mattered.

father was the one who’d insisted that if Cora didn’t die after her family had been sentenced, she’d affect me too much as her mate. I’d constantly feel the pangs of her emotions and they’d affect my ability to

her father would believe that I had forgotten Cora altogether and -leave her alone completely. That would buy me some time to investigate

that this plan was to help out her best friend Cora. If we didn’t get engaged and pull attention away from Cora, things. would go