Alpha King’s Lost Luna by Aubrey Pepper

Chapter 129 Little bird

SILAS

The celebration reached its peak as the Alpha King made a toast to welcome
my return.

As Asher clinked a gold-plated knife against his champagne glass, it was clear
that he was noticeably drunk, but there was no ill intent behind it. His cheeks
were flushed and his eyes were a little distant, but his smile was warm and when
he caught my gaze, he winked.

The crowded banquet hall fell silent and all eyes fell to him. My father’s in-depth
conversation with the councilor beside me ceased, and relief swam through me. I
was glad to have a moment away from the heavy talk of battle strategy, no matter
how brief it was.

“I would like to make a toast,” Asher announced to the waiting crowd, and his
smile deepened as he gestured toward me. “To Silas Moses, the Beta of this
glorious Crescent Pack. His return is long-awaited, and it's a pleasure to finally
have. him back in Merliscire. Though he is new to his position, it's safe to say that
this Pack is in good hands with him as the Beta. Silas, I look forward to working
with you closely. Welcome back to Anemond. Cheers!”

“Cheers!” the rest of the banquet hall repeated back, and as they raised their
glasses to me in honor, my cheeks grew hot and my eyes looked elsewhere. I
wasn’t one who enjoyed attention, unlike the rest of my family. I preferred
lingering in the background where no one could see me, but in a position like the
one I'd assumed,

the was no longer an option.

So, I knocked back the drink in my hand and saluted my king.

Once the champagne made its way down my throat, I remembered that I was
supposed to deliver a speech to everyone tonight. I wasn’t particularly in the
mood to do so, and when I met Asher’s gaze again, the Alpha King seemed to
take notice and nodded. When he didn't insist, I stepped away from the crowd of
guests and

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returned to the refreshment table for a refill.

On my way, I was intercepted by a few guests I didn’t recognize. As these.
strangers greeted me warmly and welcomed me back to the palace, I slowly
downed a few more glasses of wine. I wasn’t usually much of a drinker, but I
needed all of the liquid courage I could get to endure this party.

After a while, the dizziness began to take hold.

I glanced around the banquet hall. My father seemed to be busy talking to some
of the councilors about some business I didn’t care about, so I decided to take
the opportunity to step away. Everyone was so occupied by the party that no one
noticed when I walked out into the corridor.

Just as before, the hall was empty save for a few guards, so I was free to wander
without running into anyone. I took my time and studied some of the paintings
that hung on the walls. I'd seen them a million times growing up, but after being
gone for so long, they were almost brand new. Everything felt so much different
here than it'd been before.

A wave of sadness hit me. Things were so complicated now.

I decided that I needed to get some fresh air, so I walked to the end of the hall
until I reached the back door. The guards let me pass without question, and I
stepped out onto the grounds.

I wandered aimlessly in the night until I reached the garden again. Once I was
amongst the rose bushes and tall, twi nkling fountain, I took a few much-needed
deep breaths. When I closed my eyes, I briefly had a moment where I swore I
could

smell her scent.

Becky.

My mate.

I knew the phantom smell was just a memory, but the raspberry and spun sugar
lingered in my nose anyway, and I couldn't stop thinking about her. I had a strong
impulse to find her, take her, and claim her as my own. I remembered the woman
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beside her was named Cas sandra, and she was a healer. Surely it wouldn't be
difficult to find her at all.

Just as I made the choice to find Becky after all, I opened my eyes to see Adalyn
standing behind me.

My sister's red-painted lips twisted into a cruel, vicious smile that sent a ch down
my spine. As she walked toward me, my stomach twisted into knots.

“Brother, you don’t seem very happy,” she remarked in a mocking tone. “For
someone being celebrated by the Pack, you look quite gloomy. Whatever could
be wrong?”

I knew she was just taunting me in order to get a rise out of me, so I just ignored
her and walked past. As long as Adalyn was on my trail, my business with Becky
could wait until later. I decided the smartest move would be to head back to the
banquet hall and immerse myself in the celebration.

“Father is wrong, you know,” Adalyn called after me. “I know this whole mate
affair isn't a mistake.”

I stopped in my tracks and turned around to face her. I narrowed my eyes and
focused on burning a hole through her with my gaze.

“What are you talking about?” I all but growled.

Adalyn’s smile furthered. “I know the name of the girl. Her name is Becky, and
she works for Cas sandra Keller. They have a clinic not too far from the palace.
You can reach it easily on foot.”

So, the angel woman of my dreams had a name.

Becky.

I simply stared at Adalyn. Surely, she wasn't telling me all of this out of kindness.
or consideration.

“Well, that's all I wanted to tell you,” she remarked with a small shrug. “Now that
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you know where she lives, you can go see your little bird any time.”

My heart dropped.

Bird. She had used the word bird.

Earlier, when I'd thought of my long-dead pet, I'd forgotten the most crur detail.
The poor animal had grown sick because of Adalyn. I'd always taken ca treat the
animal well, but Adalyn... when I'd told my sister about my secret pet, st gone
and visited it without my permission and fed it something she shouldn't.

It had died because of her and my father both.

I didn’t understand why Adalyn hated me so much, but I wouldn't let her kill
something I loved ever again.

“Don't try to play tricks on me ever again,” I warned her.

Adalyn laughed. “Why would I trick my own dear brother? I just want to help. I
understand how irresistible mates can be. It's impossible to be apart from one
another.”

I sneered. “Really? How could you possibly understand that?”

My sister's face briefly twisted in anger, but she quickly regained her
composure.

“Look, I'm on your side completely this time,” she said calmly. “If needed I would
even be willing to apologize for some of our... disagreements from our
childhood.”

“What is it that you want?” I sighed. “I know you have an angle-"

“No angle,” she assured me. “l want nothing, really. If you want Father to accept
your mate, you'll need my help. And in exchange... maybe your little mate can
help

me with some of the issues I have with the healer.”

I knew at once that Adalyn wasn’t making an offer, but a threat. If I didn’t comply,
she'd find some way to pit Father even further against me.

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I wasn't a child anymore. It was easy for me to recognize her desperation.
Though she sounded calm and confident, the threat held no strength.

Yet, I was interested in what Adalyn wanted.

“What do you want me to do?” I wondered. “In theory, of course.”

“I want to know what Ca ssandra Keller is doing,” Adalyn replied. “The he
sneaking around, and I want to make sure Asher is fine. He seems distant and
lately. Something is going on.”

Jealousy. It all came down to jealousy.

I chuckled. It had been five years, and Adalyn still hadn't gotten what she wanted.
And now, she wanted me to be her pawn.

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