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

163 Marrying Clarissa.

Nathan

“Clarissa,” | began firmly. The kiss you're referring to was the Truth and Dare Festival, which was like years ago.

It was a game. | gave you a peck on the forehead, nothing more. Lyla was there

too.

toldyou

“But you liked me?” She cried.

“What?” | laughed. “Yes, I like you. We grew up together, it's a normal expression isn’t it. Or would you rather |

hate you?”

Her expression darkened. “You don’t understand. | refused my mate because of you. My feelings for you are

stronger than anything I've ever felt.as

My chest tightened. | opened my mouth to respond, but Clarissa ccloser and reached forbefore | could.

“I love you,” she burst out. “I've always loved you. I've waited for you all these years, Nathan; | want to be with

you. Lyla doesn’t deserve you; you should be withand not her.

“Can you calm down for a second?” | stepped back, feeling suddenly hemmed in with her in my office. “Just go to

the couch, and we can resolve everything amicably without tension rising”

My father was right. How had | missed this? How could | not have seen the signs leading to this moment? As |

tried to find the correct response, something kind but obvious, Clarissa a again covered the distance between us.

She reached foragain, standing on her toes, putting her hands around my neck, and tuggingtoward her.

Before | could react, she tried pressing her lips to mine. | jerked back instantly, my hands coming up gently but

firmly to push her away.

“Please,” | begged. “Stop this. This isn’t right.”

She broke into tears as she clutched at my shirt. “I'm the right one for you, Nathan,” she insisted, her voice

breaking. “What does Lyla have that | don’t? What do you see in her? I've been here all along, Nathan. I'm

supporting you through everything... we were good before Lyla showed up. Why can’t you see me? | am standing

right here... please look at me... for once, please,” she was crying profusely now.

| was at a loss, struggling to find the right words to lighten the situation without causing more harm. Also, if

someone should walk into my office now, they might read a different meaning into the situation, especially since

she was this close to me.

“Clarissa, please...” | tried again. | wanted to pry her hands away from my shirt, but | didn’t want to hurt her.

“Can you just letgo for a minute? Let's talk about it.”

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Before she could reply, there was a brief knock at the door. Before it was pushed open, my father entered. He

stood at the doorway for a minute, taking in the scene.

“I can cback later, he said, but I cut him short.

“No, now is fine!” | said quickly. “Clarissa was just leaving.”

163 Marrying Clarissa

She finally let go of my shirt, quickly wiping her tears. “I was just leaving”

Without waiting for my dad's response, she hurried out of the room, leaving in her wake an uncomfortable

silence. My dad closed the door behind her and turned to me, an unreadable expression on his face.

“There's been a slight change to the logistics for the Harvest Moon and...”

“What you saw earlier is not what you think?” | interrupted him. “She just cin here and started saying...

“It’s fine, Nathan!” my father stoppedwith a deep sigh. “I want to say | warned you so badly, but what good

will that do?”

I ran a hand through my hair, exhaling heavily. “She confessed her feelings for me. | tried gently letting her

down, but she wasn’t hearing it.”

He crosses his arms, an amused glint flashing in his eyes. “And what are you doing to do about it? Which of the

sisters would you choose?”

“Dad, this is not a joke; I'm being serious here. Of course, | want Lyla... I've always did for the longest time. You

think | enjoy everything that’s happening?”

“Now, you cannot marry any of them,” my father said slowly, the smirk on his lips deepening. “They're sisters,

and you shouldn't cin between them.”

“Clarissa is just a teenager; I'm sure she’ll have a change of mind in the near future. I'm positive about that. This

is just a phase and nothing more.”

“Phase, you say?” my dad chuckled. “Okay, | wish you the best of luck then,”

“I don’t know the best way to approach this,” | admitted. “She’s hurting, and | don’t want to make it worse, but |

can’t encourage this. | love Lyla...she’s the one | want, and | want her to be my

mate

My father nodded. Since | last confessed my feelings about Lyla and told him about my plans to make her

my mate and his vehement refusal, he hadn't said anything toagain.

“Then make it clear when you stand. Although, it wouldn't be a bad idea for both of you to end up together. But

since you prefer the other sister, it's tricky, so you must be careful. And you're th Alpha, sometimes that means

making decisions that won't make everyone happy. You cannot

allow this to fester.

| sighed, my father’s words hitting home. “You're right. I'll talk to her again, but this time, I'll make sure

there's no room for understanding”

“Good,” my father said, clappingon the shoulder. “Now, can we go back to reviewing this?” he waved the

documents her had in his hand.

Along while later, after we were done and my father left the room, | sat back down, trying to think of the easiest

ways to deal with Clarissa. | picked up my phone and dialled Lyla’s number, needing to hear her voice to remind

myself of what truly mattered.

When she answered, her warmth washed overlike a lifeline.

“Hey.” | said softly. “I just wanted to hear from you.”

163 Marrying Clarissa.

She laughed. “Rough day?”

| contemplated telling her about Clarissa and the earlier , but | decided against it. It might be difficult to

explain such things over the phone.

“You have no idea, | murmured, closing my eyes.

Later that evening, I stood in front of the Alpha building, contemplating if | was making the right decision. |

wanted to solve whatever misunderstanding Clarissa and | had before going to White Moon Pack for the Harvest

Moon Festival.

| didn’t want to go there with guilt or anything. | wanted to be able to face Lyla without being on my toes, but

standing here now, | felt that my carefully thought-out rejection was a mistake. | couldn’t bring myself to go in

because it felt wrong.

Taking a deep breath, | decided to leave. Just as | turned to go, the front door opened, and Luna Vanessa loomed

at the door.

“I was beginning to wonder if you'd ever cin. Is something wrong, Alpha Nathan? Do you need my help with

anything?” she asked.

| turned to her, my face creasing automatically with a smile. Her stomach had grown more enormous than the

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last t| saw her. That would explain why she insisted on not travelling for

the Harvest Moon Festival.

“None at all, | shook my head, trying to devise a suitable excuse. “I learnt you won't attend the Harvest Moon

Festival, so | wanted to check on you. | didn’t want to intrude.”

She laughed lightly. “You're not, Alpha. Thank you for checking in on me. The baby would arrive anytsoon.

She said with a smile as she rubbed her engorged stomach.

“That's good then!” | nodded. “I'll just be on my way.”

“So soon?” she exclaimed. “Why don’t you cand share a cup of tea with me.

| wanted to refuse, but | decided to humour her a bit when | considered that she would be my future mother-in-

law. | accepted the invitation and entered. She busied herself for a few minutes, preparing the tea she brought to

the living room on a tray.

She handeda cup and sipped her first, sighing with relish before she looked up at me. “How's life as an Alpha

treating you? You've managed to lead the pack well, and I'm almost regretful that | tried to stand in the way of

you becoming Alpha, she laughed as if it was fu

“It's been a whole lot, but thankfully, | have a lot of supportive people behind my back”

“That's good to know!” she nodded. “Have you thought about who you want to be your Luna?”

| choked on my drink, spilling a small amount on my shirt.

“Oh!” she hurried, peeling out swipes from the wipe container on the coffee table. “Are you alright?” she

asked.

“Yeah, | nodded, cleaning the tea stains.

She nodded in response and repeated her first question. “Don’t think | am nosy,” she added, “but

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163 Marrying Clarissa

She nodded in response and repeated her first question. “Don’t think | am nosy,” she added, “but | was just

thinking if you'd like to marry my daughter Clarissaltit may be a surprise, but it’s the only way to strengthen your

reign as an Alpha. Having a mate with Alpha blood will make your children hybrids - a combination of both

worlds, and | think it will be a perfect union.”

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