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.

to the North with me?” he asked abruptly, and my jaw nearly dropped.

me?” I asked in

to come back with me to Yurene?” he asked again. “The North is nothing like here. You would have more freedom, no worries of

my lips brushed against his cheek lightly. Heat spread to my own and I stepped back. This was getting worse

applause. I hadn’t realized that the king and I had garnered the attention of the entire

no denying it, he was effortlessly handsome. The candlelight made. his hair look even more golden and his cheeks were flushed

dance.

but there was no way

king of Yurene gently touched my arm and guided me away from the crowd. Once we were alone in an empty area of the room, he tilted his head and

studied me.

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

considered my words carefully as

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 the Alpha King would allow me to

backward. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I think I need to return to my chambers

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

I

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

low voice that sent a chill through me. “Please,

must.”

room. With every step, I could feel myself going faster until I was practically running. This

escaped me. I hadn’t expected any

why

Yurene with him?

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

same.