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

166 Harvest Moon Festival - Arrival Day...

Miriam

My heart swelled with pride as | stood near the edge of the training arena, watching Lyla read the itinerary. Her

poise and confidence remindedso much of the life | once had. The youth | thought would never end.

Now watching Lyla-my child, grow into a better version of everything | was, made my eyes red with unshed

tears. | had thought having the baby would ruin my life forever, but now I'm glad | did and listened to keep my

baby. She was the best decision | ever made.

Today was the first day of the Harvest Moon Festival. Not only were packs arriving in their pairs: and numbers,

but every hand was on deck to ensure the festival went well. Mother Liora had entrusted Lyla with the significant

task of managing all the young apprentices that had cto the pack. Their job was to ensure the festival arena

remained free from dark energy.

Lyla finished reading. Her voice was firm but kind. “Make sure to double-check every corner of the arena,” she

instructed. “We can’t afford even a hint of negativity seeping into this celebration and Ferals.”

The apprentices nodded earnestly, salready dispersing to their assigned areas. Lyla then turned to me,

practically bouncing on her toes as her eyes sparkled with excitement. “Nan...I'm going to the gates,” she said.

“Nathan should be here any minute now, and | want to be the first person to welchim.”

Without waiting for more than my acknowledging nod, she darted away, leavingto handle the rest of the

delegation. | watched her disappearing back, a fond smile on my face when suddenly, a voice ctofrom

behind.

“What is that girl doing wearing the white pearl?” the voice asked. It was Terra.

They selected Terra, like the other priestesses, to attend the Harvest Moon Festival,

representing the current ailing Wisewoman. Her presence here should fillwith joy but more than anyone, I've

been dreading this confrontation.

Also, as | have stopped talking with Mother Liora, this was her doing. She must have briefed everything on Terra.

“What were you thinking, Miriam?” she followed up without waiting forto answer her first question. “We

need to talk about that white pearl around the Moonsinger’s neck”

The smile on my face faded as | sighed heavily. “Not now, Terra,” | said in a low voice, glancing around to ensure

no one was listening. “I'm not in the best of mood to talk about anything right

now.

| turned to leave when Terra grabbed my arm, forcingto stop. “That pearl is sacred to Sigma, Miriam! You

know this. It was designed specifically for Sigma females when they first get their wolves. It's meant to help

them control their extraordinary power. It’s not scommon trinket to be used as a wolf-taming accessory, so

why do you have it on her? You've gone too far this

time”

The accuestion in Tarra’e union irritated me. “You think | don’t know what that nearl

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106 Harvest Moon Festival-Arrival Day

The accusation in Terra’s voice irritated me. “You think | don’t know what that pearl represents?” | snapped,

yanking my arm free. “I'm doing what's best for her. Lyla doesn’t know the truth about herself yet, and I intend

to keep it that way until she’s ready”

Terra scoffed. “Open your eyes, Miriam. She’s no longer a two-year-old. She's an adult. Why are you still keeping

things from her?”

“Because she’s not ready yet!” | said through gritted teeth, fighting the urge to scream. “Why do you all think

adulthood is a gateway to everything? Do you know what she has been through? What she had to suffer for the

longest tand now that she can finally put her legs up... you wantto tell her that she stands at risk of

being punished-killed for who she is?”

“And you think having her wear the pearl would help her? Do you know what it means to suppress a wolf that

doesn’t have a Sigma host? It's a training tool, Miriam, a crutch for young Sigma wolves to learn control. By

doing this to her, you're holding her back-denying her wolf the freedom to express itself.

“I'll find a way to regulate it, | said quietly. “And for the love of the gods, tell Mother Liora to stop meddling. This

is my daughter, my decision.”

“And I'm your friend, Miriam, and as a friend, I'm giving you a wise council. This would not end well. Fine, we all

agree she’s your daughter, but you can’t shield her forever, Miriam. If this continues, you might put her at a

greater risk so, I'm begging you as a friend to s

stop. You're going to have to face her-and Mother Liora - eventually.”

“I'm not interested in talking to Mother Liora again.”

“C'mon, Miriam,” Terra sighed. “The other priestesses have noticed that there’s a friction. Stop avoiding her.”

“Maybe another time, | continued quietly. “Right now, | want to deal with one thing at the same

time.”

| turned on my heel, walking away before Terra could respond, leaving her standing alone in the

courtyard.

Everything she had said was true. However, if | regulated the pearl, like giving Lyla’s wolf freedom once every

two or three weeks, everything would be fine, and that was the only way | could stop everyone from knowing she

had a wolf.

As | made my way back toward the pack house, | saw Lyla. My heart softened at the sight of her walking next to

Nathan. A genuine smile lit up her face, and she linked hands with Nathan as they walked and talked.

Occasionally, she would laugh or grin at something he said. The scene brought a sad smile to my face. My

daughter's happiness was worth any price | might have to pay.

Lyla more than anyone deserved to be free, but that freedom would cwith truths | wasn’t ready to share.

My attention shifted to the delegate from Blue Ridge, walking at a distance behind Nathan. My body tensed as |

scanned the group, bracing myself and dreading to see Luna Vanessa after all these years, but she was nowhere

to be found.

166 Harvest Moon Festival-Arrival Day..

Was she still coming? Or did she stop to do something before coming to the pack house? It was unlike her to

miss such an important event, especially not the Harvest Moon Festival. Something must have happened.

“Looking for someone?” A deep voice rumbled behind me.

| felt my wolf stir at the familiar scent even before | turned. | tried to look startled when | saw Beta Jeremy

standing behind me, his broad shoulders blocking out the mid-evening sun. His presence was as commanding as

ever, but there was something in his eyes-a softness that made my wolf want to lean closer.

The ssoftness that had gotteninto trouble all those years ago.

My heart thundered in my chest as memories threatened to surface-memories of stolen moments and whispered

promises, of choices made and paths not taken. The secrets | have carried seemed to grow heavier under his

neutral, knowing gaze.

“Jeremy,” | managed, composing myself and hating how my voice wavered slightly. “I didn’t hear you come. |

didn’t expect to see you here. | thought with Logan gone, you'd...”

“I'm still Alpha Nathan's Beta, he answeredbefore | completed the question, “Until he finds the perfect

replacement and why am | here?” his lips curved into a small smile, but his eyes flashed with an intense

coldness that frightened me. “The Harvest Moon Festival is a tfor reunions, isn’t it? For facing the past

months and celebrating surviving them all.”

| understood the double meaning in his words. My fingers unconsciously clutched at the side of my dress, trying

to match his gaze.

“Sure,” | nodded. “Welcome"”

We stood there in silence for what felt like a century until | sneaked a look at him, realizing he

was staring at me.

“She didn’t come, he said, averting his gaze. “She’s pregnant and the baby would be here soon,

so she couldn't come.”

“Oh... | wasn't... | mean, | swallowed hard, trying to organize my thoughts. “I wasn’t worried about that, | tried to

say cheerily, while | celebrated in my heart. “I didn’t even notice.”

“You can lie to anyone else but me, Miriam. | know you were looking for her just now. | thought. you were going

to be brazen and cto his funeral. But | guess the more one ages, the more logical they become. If you had

applied the samount of logic back then, maybe...”

“I just remembered now!” | cut him short, backing away. “I was abou High Priestess. Can we continue this

conversation later on?”

to go do something for the

His eyes narrowed as he studiedfor a moment before speaking again. “And Lyla? How is she handling

everything?”

My face softened. “She’s doing well. Better than | expected, honestly!

“You've been avoiding me, Miriam!” he took in a deep breath. “And | have no patience for that. | am not Logan”

“Don’t bring him into this,” | said sharply. “Ive been busy”

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166 Harvest Moon Festival-Arrival Day....

He wanted to say something but decided against it. “Whatever you say but, the reason | wanted to see you is for

you to ask your daughter, to stay away from my son. Can you do that for me?”