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.

ssandra, would you like to go to the North with me?” he asked abruptly, and my jaw nearly dropped.

asked in

asked again. “The North is nothing like here. You would

In the process, my lips brushed against his cheek lightly. Heat spread to my own and I stepped back.

to find the right words to say, the crowd erupted into applause. I hadn’t realized that the king and I had garnered

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

dance.

tempting, but there was no way I

my arm and guided me away from the crowd. Once we were

studied me.

reached out and ran his large hand through a tendril of my hair. “What do

words carefully as panic bloomed within

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

took a step backward. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I think I

did, the strange smell of his cologne hit my nose. I hadn’t noticed it

I

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

that sent a chill through me. “Please, consider it.

must.”

the lump in my throat. Before Kaleb could utter another word, I turned on my heels and swiftly walked out of the room. With every step, I could feel myself going faster until I was practically running. This continued until I reached the stairs, and once I was sure no

I hadn’t expected any of

the banquet hall? And why did

Yurene with him?

smoothed the front of my gown and thought about the dress I’d stained with wine earlier. Though the maid had said they’d clean it, I knew it would be difficult to get such a dark red out of the pale

same.