The Alpha’s Fated Outcast: Rise Of The Moonsinger

Lyla

The ring felt heavy on my finger now. When Ramsey had first proposed, I had been giddy with joy, but now it was different. Marriage was the last thing on my mind, not with the knowledge of how to defeat the Dark One in my mind, too.

I contemplated telling him about the contents of my father's letter but I knew he wouldn't understand.

I stared at the ring for the longest time, then lifted my head up to smile at him.

"We will get married," I started "But can we do it after this fight with the Dark One?"

"What difference does it make?" he said quietly. I need to know that I can never be separated from you. These past few weeks without you here, I went insane. I don't want that anymore."

"This is…sudden," I managed to say. "We're in the middle of a war. I've been unconscious for days. Nathan – Xander – is raising armies against us. And you want us to get married? Don't you think that would be too insensitive of us?"

"Don't say that, Lyla. I'm sure everyone will agree that this has gone on for long without us making it official. Besides, it's not going to be a large ceremony. Just our prospective families, a few elders and the Joining Priest. That's all. I know the timing isn't ideal," he acknowledged. "But that's exactly why I'm doing this now. We don't know how much time we have left. Nathan's forces are regrouping as we speak. The next attack could come any day."

"And you think marrying me is the solution?" I couldn't keep the skepticism from my voice.

"I think marrying you is what I want, war or no war. Love is sometimes the solution," he replied. "But yes, there's more to it. You're a Moonsinger, Lyla and not just any kind, a Moonsinger with blood ties to the Auréans. You're Neriah's reincarnation, and I believe our union would unlock the power of the White Moon Throne."

The prophecy from my father's study flashed through my mind: When the moon bleeds red and wolves bow to none, she will rise – the last of her kind, blood of Neriah, vessel of the goddess."

"You don't even know what that means. You don't believe in the powers of the White Moon Throne," I said quietly. "Neither do I, fully."

"But I'm willing to give it a shot if it would help to save the people," Ramsey countered. "I know that you're special and that your abilities are unique. And I know that being with you feels right, in a way nothing else ever has."

For a moment, I wanted to tell him, but I knew it would break our hearts.

So I flashed him another smile, hoping it would hide the pain that I felt right now.

"I can't give you an answer right now," I said finally. "Not until I've regained my strength, taking control of this entire situation with the Ferals and since I don't have Nymeris again…"

"Nymeris?" his eyes widened "Your wolf? What happened to her?"

"She's dead." I tried to look at him bravely, maybe to hide the guilt that I felt for killing my own wolf, but I couldn't. Instead, I lowered my head and wrung my fingers. "I killed her in order to allow my moonsinging abilities to come into full manifestation. With her in the way, it would be difficult to wield both powers and not go insane."

"Oh, Lyla," he sighed, stroking my arm comfortingly. "I'm so sorry, I can imagine the kind of pain you went through."

"It was the worst experience ever, but I'm hoping I will overcome it soon."

"I'm so sorry."

"Yeah," I nodded. "So, there are other things more important than getting married right now, like coming up with a plan to defeat the Dark One."

"Then that's what we'll do first." He nodded. "Whatever you need, I'll help you."

"And after?" I asked.

"After that," he said, bringing my hand to his lips, "we fight. We take the battle to Nathan. We end this, once and for all." The ring glinted on my finger as he kissed it. "And then, if you'll have me, we're building something new from the ashes."

He had no idea how much devastation it would cause if we spent weeks and months fighting with the dark one. Our world would become like the Northern Forest. That alone was the testament to what would happen if we were to engage Xander full-on.

In this lifetime, I intend to keep everyone safe. My sense of duty seems to be growing with every passing second. As I stared out the window, I could see the sky darkening and storm clouds gathering on the horizon—a perfect backdrop for the choices I had to make.

"Rest now," Ramsey said, standing. "We'll talk more tomorrow and make plans."

"And you too," I called after him as he moved to the door. "Thank you. For everything."noveldrama

He paused, looking back with a confused expression. "What for?"

I smiled. "For being here, for always being here. Thank you so much."

He nodded but didn't say anything else before he slipped out of the room, leaving me.

After Ramsey left, I turned and stared at the unfamiliar ceiling. I needed air. I needed to feel the air beneath my feet and the sky above my head. I can no longer wait for Nanny.

With determination, I pushed back the covers and swung my legs over the side of the bed. As soon as my feet hit the ground, the room spun in circles as dizziness washed over me. I grabbed the edge of the mattress, waiting for the sensation to pass.

"Come on," I muttered to myself. "Five days of sleep is enough."

Slowly, carefully, I stood. My legs shook with the effort, unused to supporting my weight after days of lying down, doing nothing. The first step was the hardest – it was as if I was a child, learning to take her first walk. I wobbled and fell but then picked myself up to try again.

The fifth and sixth steps came easier. By the time I reached the door, I was moving with something close to normalcy.

The hallways outside were quiet. Dim light filtered through the corridor windows, revealing it was late afternoon. I had no idea of the layout of this place, and the last time I had come here, I had been too distracted to note down the geography.

I paused for a minute, trying to figure out which of the corridors would lead me to a garden. Finally, instinct pulled me towards the opposite side of the room. I moved quietly to avoid detection, following the corridor until I reached a side exit.

The door opened onto a garden filled with lush herbs and floweing plants. Beyond it, I could see the distinctive spire of the Moon Temple rising against the evening cloud.

The cool air caressed my skin. I took in deep breaths, filling my lungs with the scent of the earth and growing things. Without Nymeris, my senses were dulled compared to other werewolves, but I could still hear things.

I made my way to the back of the temple, drawn by the massive oak tree that stood there. It looked old. Its trunk was wider than three people standing with arms linked together and it branches were spread wide like a big canopy.

This was what I needed.

I placed my palm against the rough bark, closed my eyes, and began to hum. The melody came to me slowly at first, but before long, the notes began to flow from me. I felt a gentle breeze stirring the leaves of the oak tree.

It picked up gradually, swirling around me like an embrace, carrying with it the scents of wild herbs and the earth.

Warmth spread from the tree through my palm, up my arm, and into my core. It moved through me like a liquid, seeking out every injury and pain. I felt the torn muscle in my back knitting together, the ache in my joints fizzling away, and even the weakness was no longer there.

The breeze intensified, lifting my hair and swirling my thin gown around my legs. Fallen leaves danced in spirals at my feet and overhead, and the branches of the oak tree swayed and rustled. My tone deepened, and for a moment, I could have sworn I heard the wind singing the same tune.

When the song ended, I opened my eyes to find myself totally transformed. I felt brand new, as though I'd been remade from the inside out.

"Thank you," I whispered to the oak tree.

I turned to head back to my room, not wanting to explain my miraculous recovery just yet, especially to Ramsey. But before I could take more than a few steps, a loud, agonizing cry pierced through the evening air from the direction of the temple's entrance.

I became alert instantly, as the wind carried new scents to me. Blood, fear and the unmistakable musk of Ferals.

They were here…

"Just in time, my babies!" I murmured. "Just in time!"