The Alpha's Fated Outcast: Rise Of The Moonsinger by Ejiofor Dorcas

162 After everything we've shared?

Nathan

I leaned back in my office chair, phone pressed to my car, with a smile tugging at my lips as Lyla’s voice filled

the room through the phone.

The warmth of her voice was the only antidote to my endless tasks and preparations for the Harvest Moon

Festival.

“I miss you, Lyla,” | said softly, sighing with longing that was becoming hard to suppress... “It feels like | haven't

seen you for ages.”

“I miss you more,” she sighed. “I honestly wanted to return as soon as | recovered, but the High

Priestess would not hear a word of it. She insists | should wait until after the Harvest Moon S

Festival, and then | can go with you!”

“Yeah,” | nodded, glancing at the scattered reports on my desk. “You wouldn't missif you saw this mountain

of work I'm buried under. Everyone’s running around like their tails are on fire. We've enjoyed a week without

any Feral threat; nothing has been sighted since then. So, we're preparing for the festival. Patrols, food

arrangements, the elders’ seating plan - it's madness.”

“Sounds like fun to me, she chuckled. “It’s not different here, though. We had sPriestess from the Moon

Temple over yesterday, and I'll be joining them in performing sbarricade spells on the borders of the White

Moon Pack. | heard they've been travelling to packs all over the region.”

“Yeah, they cto ours last week. It’s temporary. But you don’t have any powers; how are you helping them?”

“I wish | knew. They insisted, and they've been givingthis weird stare. One of them outrightly askedif

Nanny was my real mom.”

My heart skipped a beat. | didn’t know how long it would take until Nanny revealed the truth to Lyla. As much as

I've been itching to tell her, it wasn’t in my place. Still, | was getting anxious by the day. The more Lyla

blossomed into a woman, the more she was beginning to look like her mother.

“Don’t take it to heart... that’s how they all are, | finally responded, trying to make light of the situation.

“Anyways, you should brace yourself because when you beca Luna... there'll be more work for you. The

Elders are trying to pass it into law, something about letting women train and being managed by the Luna of

every pack. They want to ensure everyone can defend themselves against the Feral attack.”

“Here, children from ages 6 are enrolled on a

-training school that teaches basic defence skills and survival. But don’t worry, I'm sure it'll not be as bad as it

was predicted.”

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“Yeah!” | murmured, drawing in a deep sigh.

“Hmm.... are you sure you don’t wantto take over as Alpha for a day? You sound tired,” Lyla

said.

“Tempting offer, but I'd rather have you here for other reasons,” my voice dropped slightly,

<

162 After everything we've shared?

“Tempting offer, but I'd rather have you here for other reasons,” my voice dropped slightly, making Lyla laugh

again. Her light-heartedness eased the tension in my shoulders. “Speaking of the Festival,” | continued. “Is there

anything you wantto bring to White Moon Pack when | come? Anything at all.”

There was a pause from her end before she answered. “Just you, Nathan. That's all | want.”

Ragnar growled with excitement as my heart swelled. “Done. I'll wrap myself in a bow if that’s what it takes.”

We laughed together, talking about everything and nothing at once. | was happy, and something had changed. |

didn’t know if it was the distance or something else, but Lyla was different tofrom how she was before.

We'd spend hours on the phone talking, there's been no mention of Ramsey... and | could feel the longing in her

voice too whenever she spoke. Was she falling foralready?

“I wonder when the first snow of the year would start, her voice broke into my thoughts. “It's late this year.”

“I know it’s your favourite season of the year; don’t worry, it'll csoon enough.” As | leaned forward to adjust

a document on my desk, the door to my office swung open without warning. Clarissa cinto view with a

bright smile on her face and a food basket beside her.

| sighed inwardly, knowing what it meant.

“Oh!” | said, feigning surprise. “Hold on, Ly. Clarissa just walked in.”

Lyla’s voice was curious but calm. “Oh? What's she doing there?”

Clarissa entered the office fully, closing the door behind her. “Hello, Alpha,” she said cheerily. “Am | interrupting

something?”

“No, not at all,” | replied automatically, though something inwished I'd said yes. “What brings you here?”

She lifted the food basket slightly. “I was trying out a new recipe and made way too much. | wanted to share

swith you. Do you mind? And before you say no, | asked your father and your secretary, and she said you

haven't had anything since this morning.

I nodded, glancing at the food basket before muttering into the phone. “Clarissa broughtsfood.”

“Really? That's so thoughtful of her, Lyla replied warmly. “Thank her for me.”

“Lyla says thank you, | relayed the message to Clarissa, then added reluctantly. “I should probably let you go. I'll

call back later, okay?”

“Sure, nighttis better, | should be done with whatever | need to do here.

Ending the call, | placed the phone on my desk, an uncomfortable silence settling over the office. Clarissa stood

expectantly with the food container. | managed to smile as | took the food from her. “Thank you for his. You

didn’t have to.”

“Of course | do. | don’t mind doing these little things, you know. If anything, I'm glad | can do it.”

162 After everything we've shared?

| suppressed a sigh. This wasn’t the first tshe was bringingfood. From the day that | saved her until now,

she has broughtfood and small gifts, soughtout for small favours, or found reasons to visit my office. |

tried to discourage it gently without being rude, but it seems

she didn’t get it.

“I'll try it later,” | said, trying to put the container inside the fridge, but she stopped me.

“I'm dying to know if it turned out well. Can you take a few bites for me? Please...”

| wanted to say No, but that might lead to another argument. So, | just nodded. “Okay.

| lifted the lid from the tray to reveal a steaming plate of roast vegetables and herb-crusted chicken. For one, it

didn’t look like a new recipe, but it looked appetizing. | took a bite and

offered her a small smile.

“It’s delicious. You've outdone yourself.”

She beamed and moved to the couch in my office, settling in like she belonged there. She didn’t look like she

would be leaving anytsoon.

“I'm so glad you like it. Have you heard?” she asked.

| closed the lid of the container, hoping I still had a polite smile on my face. She was going to be my sister-in-law

soon, so...

“Heard what?” | asked, frowning.

“I'm taking my mother’s place at the Harvest Moon Festival. The doctors want her to rest a lot since the baby

would be due any day now”

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| blinked in surprise. “No one mentioned this to me.”

She shrugged. “I guess they just finalized the decision. It'll be nice to represent my mother. You know, I've never

been to White Moon Pack, particularly. This seems like the perfect opportunity.”

| nodded absently, already making a mental note to confirm the arrangement with my father. | returned my

attention to the reports on my desk, hoping she would take the hint and leave.

But her next question caughtoff guard. “Nathan, what exactly is your relationship

My head snapped up. “What?”

“I'm just curious,” Clarissa said lightly. “You seem... close.”

with via?”

I leaned back in my chair, choosing my words carefully. “Lyla means the world to me. I love her and hope to

make her my mate someday.”

Clarissa’s smile faltered. She stared atfor a moment, then scoffed softly. “And what about

Inc?”

| blinked, getting confused now. “I’m sorry. What about you?”

She stood and cto my desk. “Nathan, you've always been kind to me. All those times you

when | asked you what kind of woman you

took care of me, the gifts, the attention, the gestures

liked and wanted, you practically describedand the... kiss.”

| felt the blood drain from my face as | tried to process her words. “Clarissa, | think there's been

162 After everything we've shared?

| felt the blood drain from my face as | tried to process her words. “Clarissa, | think there's been a

misunderstanding.”

Her voice was growing more insistent. “There’s no misunderstanding. I’ve felt this way for so long because you

encouraged it. | waited for you to make your move, and then Lyla returned, and it was like | didn’t exist to you

anymore.”

“Clarissa,” | said gently, standing from my chair. “I've always seen you as a friend like a sister.”

Her face crumpled, and her voice rose in desperation. “A sister? How can you say that after everything we've

shared?”