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

173 I'm done listening to you...

Lyla

| stumbled backwards, trying to process what | was seeing.

Cassidy closed the door behind him, a triumphant expression on her face. “I told you, Lyla, that you shouldn't

mess with me, now you'll know what it feels like to take my things away!

Cassidy had a satisfied glint in her eyes as she cto stand beside Xander who had his usual quiet air about

him. One would think he is harmless. Every nerve in my body was pounding with fear.

The pieces started falling into place the mysterious attacks, the strange calm that had settled over the territory.

It had all been leading to this moment. Plus, Xander’s threat, the last twhen | had gone into a coma.

This event was perfect.

The priestesses were here, and every Alpha, both werewolf and Lycan, representing all the packs by the sea, was

present. The full moon-the sGemini moon that | had awakened his powers years back-would cout

today. Everything was perfect, and Cassidy... was his henchman.

“You got that last part wrong, Lyla, Xander chuckled shaking his head reading my thoughts. “She’s too dumb to

be a henchman. She ctofor something entirely different and she’s a perfect vessel for little errands like

this, so why not? Tell her, Cass.”

Cassidy smiled and cforward.

“You were proving too stubborn and the only way to get Ramsey to myself is to have you killed. Since you still

have your powers as a Moonsinger...”

“I don’t have any power left as a Moonsinger. He took all of it away, | protested, taking another step backwards.

“You don't have to lie about that, Lyla. Though it’s a rare sight, almost rare that a Moonsinger still has remnants

of its powers left after | take it and | must blMiriam - that darned Sigma. If you had completed the ritual, |

wouldn't be doing this with you if she hadn't shown up at that moment. We would have been enjoying a peaceful

world.”

“Nanny had nothing to do with your inadequacies, | retorted.

He continued in his manner, ignoring what | said completely. “You're the first Moonsinger to retain her powers

after that ritual still. Xander laughed, his laughter echoing throughout the room. “I told you from the first day

that you're special Lyla. More special than you know. That power inside you? It’s been waiting for this moment.

Waiting for me.”

“I haven't finished; Cassidy said tersely. As it seemed | was taking centre stage. She has always been like that. To

her, everything | do or whenever attention is onand not her, she sees it as a competition. Cassidy cannot

stand not being the main character.

“Please go ahead,? Xander smiled but it didn’t reach his eyes.

173 I'm done listening to you...

“Anyways, he ctoor rather, | found him. You're the Moonsinger and he’s the Dark One - and is supposed

to be your greatest enemy. | put two and two together plus the help of sbooks in our library...” she paused

as if to collect her thoughts. “You may not know this but my pack - White Lake Pack has housed all the

Moonsingers ever lived because of the natural resources embedded by the Moon Goddess to bolster their

strength and power, and each of them all had journals talking about a ton of things.

“Neriah once lived there too, Xander added. “So, it is naturally attractive to Moonsingers.”

“But that’s not the point I'm trying to make, Cassidy said, an indication that Xander was talking too much

already. “Now, | made a pact with him, | would deliver you to him, access to the White Moon Pack - the heart of

the White Throne and he would kill you.”

I shook my head, getting both angry and perplexed that Cassidy had practically handedto Xander because

of a man. The more | thought of it, the more my anger was spreading.

“You're insane, Cassidy. Doing all of these things for what? Ramsey doesn’t even notice the things you do for him

and yet you think handingover to him would solve your problems? Aren’t you worried about the Ferals

attacking and killing everyone? You do realize who he is? | pointed at Xander whose lips were curled in a smirk.

“A few people would die but I'm sure they'll cup with a solution. Ramsey always does. Plus, it

you who have been attracting the Ferals. They go wherever you are, so you're the problem. Once you're out of

the way, we'll be fine.”

is

| laughed. “And you think he’d kill me? Xander? Isn't it surprising to you that we know each other? Can't you see

there's a sense of familiarity between us? You're so slow. Take away your pretty features and you're dumber than

an Omega. This is the reason why you never excelled back in training school. Once you're blinded by the innate

desire to want something, your sense takes leave.”

“Don’t you dare insult me, she growled as her smile faltered and her eyes flashed with anger. “You don’t have a

say in this. You're stuck, Lyla.”

Xander took a step towards me, holding my gaze. “Oh, she has a choice, Cass. Everyone does. | told you | don’t

force anyone to acceptand Lyla...” he pressed closer, still maintaining his distance.

That was strange.

Xander that | know would not hesitate to drawinto his arms and try to do something sexual. Something must

be wrong but what aboutwas he afraid of?

“Let's be honest, he continued. “You're tired, arent you? Tired of being overlooked, underestimated by people

like Cassidy half-brained girls...”

“Hey!” Cassidy shouted, her eyes widening with surprise at Xander’s insult “I am standing right here.

“I know!” Xander laughed, throwing her a smirk before he continued, returning his gaze to me. “Aren’t you tired

of pretending to be something you're not?”

| clenched my fist, my body trembling with a mix of fear and defiance. “I don’t know what you're

173 rm done listening to you...

“Oh, but you do,” he continued smoothing. “You pledged yourself tolong ago. You said | should take your

powers.”

“I said those words out of desperation. You hadlocked in a car and saying all sorts of strange things, what

was | supposed to do?”

“You said you lovedand you meant it,” he continued defiantly. “Don’t you

remember?”

“In your dreams, Xander. | am not having this conversation with you, just letgo.”

| tried to brush past him but Cassidy reached for my clothes Jerkingbackwards. “Where are you going to?”

then turning to Xander, she shouted. “Why aren't you killing ber? This is not what we talked about?”

I laughed again. “You're so naive, Cassidy. If he wanted to killhe would have done so. He loves me, Cass.

Don’t you, Xander?”

Xander drew in a long his and with the flick of his hand pointed at Cassidy, she fell to the ground, going instantly

lifeless. My breath hitched, my mind racing now.

“Is she dead?”

“I'm not a murderer, he retorted coming toagain and stopping when he reached me. “Let's not waste time

with petty insults. He extended a hand toward me, his expression was calm but intense. “Join me, Lyla. Let's

finish up what with started. You don’t have to be afraid of your power anymore but first of all, take those pearls

off."

My hands flew to the white string of pearl at my throat, the one Nanny had given me. It felt cold. against my skin

now, pulsing with an energy | hadn't noticed before. Was this why he was keeping his distance?

“It's a gift from Nanny. | can’t and I'll never join you, Xander. | don’t know why you think | have powers left. |

don’t have any left.”

“Then how are you still killing the Ferals?” Annoyance flashed in his eyes.

“I don’t know. | have no idea. That means he knew nothing about Nymeris then..

His smirk faded, replaced by a look of mild disappointment. “Pity” he said softly. “I was hoping you'd be more...

cooperative.”

“And you, you're just chasing the wind. | retorted, trying to be confident.

“We'll ssee about that,” he scoffed his gaze hardening and for a moment, the room seemed to vivbrate with his

power as his eyes grew darker. “So be it, he murmurd. “If you won't join willingly, we'll have to persuade you

another way”

He flicked his hands in the air and in a flurry, the string of perals around my neck snapped, pouring onto the

ground in a thousand pieces. | opened my mouth to complain about how precious that jewellery had been when

Nymeris’s voice echoed in my head.

*She deceived you Lyla. They tried to keepaway from you. Kill them all!”

Before | could make meaning of her words, a mild pain shot through my body and I fell to my knees. Xander was

saying something but | couldn’t hear him. In the next Instance | was Nymeris.

173 m done listening to you.

She turned towards Xander whose eyes were filled with surprise as he stared, unable to say a word. He tried to

ctowards us, but Nymeris snarled at him and jumped past him, going straight to the door.

“Nymeris, please!” | tried to call her as she took the stairs four at a time. “Slow down.”

“No!” she said fiercely. “I'm done listening to you.