ASHER
“You’re very late, Alpha Asher. Is it customary of your Pack to keep your guests waiting?”
The moment I stepped into the first-floor meeting room, a heavily accented voice reached my ears, and I raised my eyebrows in surprise. Though I knew the voice belonged to the King of Yurene, I was shocked by how callously I was being spoken to.
The king stood from the couch very slowly and then extended his hand toward mine. “I jest, of course, though you do appear to be quite busy.”
I stared at his hand for a moment before I accepted it in mine. “I suppose I am quite busy. I’m sorry to keep you waiting-”
“Are you ill?” Kaleb blurted out. “You look tired-”
Lancel took a step forward in warning, but I raised a hand to stop him.
“It’s fine,” I murmured.
Kaleb studied us with a curious ex
