Alpha King’s Lost Luna by Aubrey Pepper

Chapter 57 The North King’s offer

CA SSANDRA

My heart beat like a hummingbird’s wings as I stared at Kaleb. I’d messed up and given myself away, I just knew it.

Much to my surprise, Kaleb didn’t seem to put two and two together and simply continued dancing.

“No wonder you don’t seem like you belong here,” Kaleb remarked with a raised eyebrow. “You look quite uncomfortable here with these… arrogant, upper-class

snobs of Anemond.”

I couldn’t contain myself and a laugh escaped me.

Kaleb frowned. “Did I say something funny?”

“No, no,” I assured him. “No, I’m sorry.”

Truth be told, I didn’t feel uncomfortable in this setting. I used to enjoy the finer things like fancy balls and banquets. I also used to love dancing and having all of the eyes of the room on me as I lost myself in the music.

But I wasn’t Cora anymore and Anemond wasn’t my home. It was a terrifying place where I needed to stay guarded and not let my disguise slip.

The next move in the dance was a spin and Kaleb handled it beautifully. He had a natural rhythm about him that was satisfying to see and even better to witness as his dance partner. The skirt of my dress flared out with the motion and as the music swelled, a warmth bloomed in me. For the first time in a while… I felt content,

almost.

Thoughts of Asher and his outburst threatened to creep into my mind, but I pushed them away before they could ruin this.

Kaleb’s hands fell to my waist as we turned in time with the music.

like to go to the North with me?” he asked abruptly, and my

asked in

me to Yurene?” he asked again. “The North is nothing like here. You would have more freedom,

I almost tripped, but Kaleb managed to steady me. In the process, my lips brushed against his cheek lightly. Heat spread to

words to say, the crowd erupted into applause. I hadn’t

There was no denying it, he was effortlessly handsome. The candlelight made. his hair look

dance.

but there was no way I

the crowd. Once we were alone in an

studied me.

and he reached out and ran his large hand through a tendril of my hair.

my words carefully as panic bloomed within

very kind of you to ask me to come to Yurene with you. But I have to stay here in Anemond. I have a job to do as a royal healer and I don’t think

you’ll excuse me, I think I need to return to my chambers for

strange smell of his cologne hit my nose. I hadn’t noticed it in the crowd, but now that we were alone, I could detect

I

and something sp icy, peppery almost. It was an unusual fragrance, but

voice that sent a chill through me. “Please, consider it. I would even discuss it with

must.”

could feel myself going faster until I was practically running. This continued until I reached the stairs, and once I was sure no one was following me, I released a sigh and walked at a slower

escaped me. I hadn’t expected any of this.

hall? And why did Kaleb ask me

Yurene with him?

it, I knew it would be difficult to get such a dark red out of the pale silver fabric. The dress

same.