Chapter 30

Chapter 30 Reunion with her nanny

CA SSANDRA

I could only blame myself for my own carelessness. Finnick’s eyes. Why hadn’t I found a better excuse for their coloring, and why had I let myself tense up so much when the Alpha King had inquired about them?

I should have been more prepared, more calm… but everything about Asher Collins’ presence set every nerve in my b*dy on fire. I was a deer, cornered by his steel-like gaze.

I couldn’t even keep my grip on a simple teacup. When it shattered all over the floor of the king’s study, I found myself wishing I’d shattered with it to avoid the embarra*sment of facing him.

“I’m so sorry, Your Majesty!” I cried, and then I lept to my feet and started collecting the pieces from the floor. All the while, my forehead broke out in sweat, and heat spread through my cheeks. This was beyond mortifying.

“It’s okay,” Asher muttered as I cleaned around the room. “It was an accident.”

Yet, his tone said otherwise. I’d made a huge mistake. I’d broken palace property and probably burned the Alpha King’s skin with my carelessness.

“You don’t need to do that, Healer Ca ssandra,” Asher said as he dabbed at his shirt. “A s rvant will sort that out.”

I rose to my feet instantly and then bowed my head.

I

“My apologies,” I said quietly. I set the shards down on an empty part of the table and then brushed my hands on my trousers before I sat back down. Beside me, Finnick looked flabbergasted, and I couldn’t blame him. I wasn’t conducting myself properly at all, and I hoped he wasn’t too embarra*sed by my actions.

“Are you okay, Mommy?” he whispered, and I nodded my head and patted him

on the shoulder.

Asher sighed and then stood and walked over to his desk. He reached into a drawer and retrieved a bell. He rang it three times and then replaced it in the drawer. Once he was finished, he sat back down on the leather sofa and crossed his

legs.

He opened his mouth to speak, but before he could utter another word the doors to the study opened, and a maid entered the room.

She approached Asher quickly and then bowed. “At your service, Your Majesty.”

Asher wordlessly gestured to the floor, and the maid spotted the shards immediately. She gave the Alpha King a small nod and then got to work cleaning.

“I’m so sorry,” I apologized as she dusted the floor. “My hands sl*pped-”

“There’s no need to apologize, miss,” the maid replied. “It’s my job to clean.”

She smiled up at me, and suddenly, realization crashed over me. This maid wasn’t just any maid.

She was Erika.

My former nanny.

My mother had died when I was young, and my father had been a busy Ga mma in the king’s service, so, he hired a nanny to look after me and my brother Ector while he was away working. Erika was a perfect match for us. She was kind-hearted and caring, and we loved her as if she was another member of the family. When we grew up, Erika remained one of our maids.

Eriká had meant the world to me.

But after my father had been imprisoned and my brother had been banished, the house of my family had been sealed up. Erika had been dismissed and forced to leave. I’d wanted to hire her as my private maid in Rosepetal, but back then, the Beta’s family, along with the others in court, wanted the Alpha King to execute me.

Asher was doing his best to clear my father’s name, but it was of no use. I couldn’t let Erika get involved in the mess. She was too kind and dear to me to risk. getting hurt.

I hadn’t seen Erika in five years, but her smile was just as sweet as always.

She was older now, and her dark blonde hair was streaked with a few grays, but her hazel eyes were brighter than ever.

I wanted to talk to her, cry with her. I hadn’t been able to share my sorrow with anyone after my father’s death. I knew Erika would have understood and offered me. a shoulder to lean on. She would soothe me and tell me that it would all be okay.

But Erika didn’t know me now. I wasn’t Cora anymore.

Besides, she wouldn’t recognize me anyway, and even if she did, things weren’t safe. So, I pushed my sadness down and just smiled back.

“Thank you,” I said simply. Erika nodded and then continued cleaning. Once she was done, she turned to the Alpha King who gestured for her to leave. Erika bowed once and then left the chamber.

Just as she left, another person walked in. He was an extremely tall man with long auburn hair, a thick beard, and an incredibly freckled complexion. His eyes were as black as coal, but they weren’t unkind. He wore soft gray pants, at button-down shirt, and a pin with the royal crest on it.

“Your Majesty,” he greeted the Alpha King respectfully.

“Welcome,” Asher replied, and then he turned to me. “This is the Chief Healer, Marten. Marten, this is Ca ssandra Keller, the healer from the Wild Crawler Pack.”

“A pleasure to meet you,” Marten addressed me politely.

smiled. “You as well, sir.”

“Mrs. Keller, I must speak with Marten privately,” Asher said. “You’re welcome to leave us now.”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” I replied, and I turned to Finnick. “Let’s go, sweetheart.”

“Okay, Mommy,” Finnick said happily, and I helped him off of the sofa. We quietly walked out of the study, and once we pa*sed through the double doors, I released the breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding.”

That encounter had been messy, and I was relieved for it to be over.

I led Finnick down the hall and once we reached the stairs, I nearly froze in

place. Adalyn stood at the staircase, and her beautiful face had a strange expression on it. She stared me down with her amber eyes and then raised an

eyebrow at me.

I nodded at her once and attempted to walk past, but she didn’t let me go that easily.

“Cas sandra Keller,” Adalyn sneered, and she crossed her arms against her chest. “That’s your name, isn’t it? What were you discussing with my husband?”

“Nothing, My Lady,” I addressed her politely, and her cheeks flushed scarlet.

“How dare you speak to me like that?” she demanded. “You must tell me at once. You’re obliged to follow my orders.”

The situation was serious, but I wanted to laugh. She hadn’t changed a bit after all of these years. Cora would have laughed in her face, but I wasn’t that woman anymore. Cora was long gone, and I was no longer in a position of power.

“I obey the King’s orders, My Lady,” I said instead, and Adalyn seethed.

“How dare you!” she shouted. “You… bumpkin!”

It was clear that Marco had inherited her disposition. Adalyn’s hands curled into fists at her side, and for a moment, I thought this would turn to violence. But she managed to collect herself and take a breath. She hated a scene and besides, it for her to conduct herself that way to the Alpha King’s guest.

Wast

“We’ll see about that,” she said, and then she turned on her heel and strode

away. When she disappeared down the hall, a tiny laugh rose from my chest. I hadn’t expected Adalyn to act this way. I a*sumed she was more clever, but she

was still prone to such anger…

“What’s so funny, Mommy?” Finnick asked. His eyebrows furrowed, and his l*ps parted slightly in confusion.

“Nothing, my love,” I insisted.

“That lady looked horrible,” Finnick whispered, and I wanted to laugh again.

“You’re right, darling,” I said, and then I took his hand and began to walk down the stairs.

“I don’t like her,” he added, and this time, I grinned.

“Me either.”

But as much as I wanted to keep laughing, I couldn’t allow myself. Adalyn was simple, but she was capable of all kinds of evil. I couldn’t underestimate her, not for a second. If she wanted something, she would go after it, so I needed to stay sharp.