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

Chapter 12: The mate who doesn’t want me…

Lyla

My heart skipped a beat as I recognized who it was.

It wasn’t Alpha Ramsey as I had secretly hoped, but Nathan. I mentally chided myself for even entertaining the thought of him coming to save me. He had made it clear enough that he wanted nothing to do with me.

What a fool I was to expect anything from him after everything.

My legs finally gave way as I fell onto the soft grass, wincing with pain. The wound on my back hurt. Nathan attacked the wolves, fighting them off. The fight didn’t last so long, as the wolves seemed to be weakened, while Nathan was fighting so ferociously that they didn’t stand a chance. Finally, they scrambled away taking along with them their injured leader.

Silence fell over the clearing once more. Nathan shifted back to his human form and came towards me.

“Nathan?” I whispered, gritting my teeth. “What are you doing here? Are you alright?”

He didn’t answer immediately, his gaze first scanned the area before they finally settled on me, darkening with annoyance.

“Are you out of your mind, Lyla?” he snapped, his chest heaving from the fight. “What the hell were you thinking?” he demanded again. “Do you have any idea what could’ve happened to you out here?”

I flinched at his angry tone but forced myself to meet his gaze. “I… I wasn’t….”

“Damn right, you weren’t thinking!” He interrupted me. “Walking through the forest alone? Do you have any idea how dangerous this forest is? Or do you just not care anymore? Those weren’t just any wolves, Lyla. They weren’t Rogues, they were Ferals and you’re lucky to be alive!”

“Ferals?” A shiver ran through my spine. “That would explain why they look different. Thank you for saving me, Nathan.”

“Is that all you have to say?” He bellowed, enraged. “Why didn’t you want to see me yesterday?” He asked. “I drove all the way from Blue Ridge only to be told that you didn’t want visitors. The butler said you were fine, but since you’re out here in the forest, you’re clearly not! What is wrong with you, Lyla?”

“Not now, Nathan,” I sighed “I’m too tired to argue. Besides, I’m not a child. I’m an adult and I can handle myself. You shouldn’t have come here in the first place,” I muttered.

“Handle yourself?” he retorted “Is this the thanks I get for saving you?”

“Well, I didn’t ask for your help either,” I spat back, rising to my feet, my body was still shaking. “I didn’t ask you or anyone to come save me!”

problem, Lyla…” he sighed, taking on a softer tone, “You don’t have to ask, I am your friend. I have to always look out for you. You understand that right? I care about you

words. I wanted to accept them but I was far too hurt to want

alive, you can go now,” I said without looking at him. “I don’t

frustration. “Let’s get out of here. It’s not safe. Let’s just

immediately, pushing away

do you mean, no?”

Not after everything. Besides, my parents

be reasonable. I know there’s friction between you and them but do you think they’d actually turn down their child after

“You don’t know my parents,

and came towards me sniffing the air. Before he looked at me again. “I’m guessing the

head. “It’s everything. The whispers, the stares, the pity…and next month, I’d have to deal

decisions in the middle of a forest. Let’s go home and figure it

another episode of pain flashed through me. I didn’t want Nathan to know about the wound, so

rather risk your life out here?” he gestured to the forest around us. “That’s not a

dare judge me! You have no idea

he shouted suddenly, stepping in front of me, forcing me to meet his eyes again. “Stop with this self-pity act! You always do this – you push everyone away, always refusing help, acting like you

true!”

anyone in. It’s like you have this wall around you. Please let me in…help

rolled down my cheek. “I’m not trying to prove anything.

He demanded, his voice softening, though I could tell he was still

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hold finally spilt over “I am a deviant, Nathan. I have no business existing. Even the one person who could have helped me… who could have made me less of a freak… doesn’t want anything to

with confusion. “What are you talking about? Who doesn’t want

mate,” I whispered, the word

couldn’t hold back his surprise. “Lyla, you found your mate?

the back of my neck, sniffing back tears. “But it doesn’t matter again.

frowned. “The mate bond doesn’t work like that. Are

have seen the way he looked at me, Nathan. Like I

a moment, as though he

Who’s