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.

with me?” he asked

asked in shock.

me to Yurene?” he asked again. “The North

so taken aback that I almost tripped, but Kaleb managed to steady me. In the process, my lips brushed against his cheek lightly. Heat spread to my own and I stepped back. This was getting worse and worse by

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

he was effortlessly handsome. The candlelight made. his hair look even more golden and his cheeks were flushed a warm pink

dance.

proposal was tempting, but there was

king of Yurene gently touched my arm and guided me away from the crowd. Once we were

studied me.

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

words carefully as panic bloomed within me.

Majesty, for your offer,” I said slowly. “It’s 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

excuse me, I think I need to return to my chambers for the

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

I

scent of roses and something sp icy, peppery almost. It was an unusual fragrance, but still very pleasant.

joking about my offer,” he said in a low voice that sent a chill through me.

must.”

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 one was following me, I released a

me. I hadn’t expected any of this.

And why did Kaleb ask me to go to

Yurene with him?

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.