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

75 Lyla Woodland is back…

Cassidy.

I sat at the dining table of White Lake Packhouse my pack, chewing on my perfectly manicured nails – a habit my mother spent years trying to break.

I was nervous.

The late afternoon sun streaming through the tall windows did nothing to warm the chill in my mom’s voice as she paced across the room, her voice rising and falling with each word. As always, my father stood at the corner of the room, arms crossed, his face impassive…

He wasn’t saying much, which I wished he would at times when my mother went on and on… but as always, he was dedicated to supporting his mate, no matter what.

“Have you no shame, Cassidy?” My mother snapped, staring at me with disapproval. “You’re not doing enough, that’s why Alpha Ramsey still hasn’t made you his Luna and do you know why?”

I just stared at her.

“Because you’re failing to do your duty as a woman. A real woman would have him eating from the palm of her hand, ready to risk everything for her. But here you are… a glorified mistress.. the so–called Luna of the White Moon Throne… engaged for four years and counting with no sign of ever getting married.”

“He will marry me!” I said quietly, wringing my fingers as there was nothing left to chew on.

“When?” my

mother asked turning round to face me. “I warned you against going to live with him. at the White Moon Packhouse but of course, you ignored me. Never, has your so–called. mate–to–be ever come to see us. Not even a courtesy visit.”

“He’s always busy, mother!” I said quietly, daring to meet her eyes. “He’s the Lycan Leader…. protector of our world. You think he’ll…”

“Oh, shut up!” my mother hissed, “This is exactly why he looks down on you, on our family. You’re nothing but a weakling. You’re not making yourself desirable enough and yet you wonder why he hasn’t made you his Luna?”

My eyes darted to my father but he wouldn’t intervene. He never did.

“That nonsense from four years ago about bad luck falling on our world because of your marriage to him? Well… Isn’t it over two years?” My mother laughed bitterly. “I told you it was a

lie”

“I’ve tried, mother!” I cried, trying to mask the frustration in my voice. “I’m trying. But Ramsey… he doesn’t love me. It’s as simple as that. Maybe he just… maybe he just doesn’t care the way he

should!”

to me. “Love?” her voice was cold as ice. “You think love has anything to do with this? Love is for fools, Cassidy Thorne. For little girls who settle for the bare

the White Moon Throne?”

Woodland is

head, lowering my gaze.

woman in the White Mountain Region. The most desirable

everything you told me. “I’ve worn all those slutty dresses you sent me. The perfumes, the oils. I’ve seduced him in every way I could think of. I’ve tried to be exactly who you told me to be, mother. But he’s… distant. He’s always

crystal glasses to rattle. “If you have to spike his drink then do it. I don’t care if you tie him

mom is a proper and prime woman… to

White Moon Throne, Cassidy Thorne, I don’t care what it takes or what you have to sacrifice. It’s enough that they laugh at our backs because of your mistakes… the only way you can fix it is to give him reasons

throat clenched, as I tried not to cry. Crying will only make her angry.

forward attempting to intervene. “Darling, maybe…”

him completely. “You’re weak, Cassidy. You’re not like me or your father. The Thorne’s are known for

u into

know how much we’ve invested in you?” my mother spat, her eyes blazing at me. “We gave you everything. The best education, the finest clothes, a life of comfort. I moulded you. a woman of elegance and power fit for the White Moon Throne, not married to some random Lycan Alpha – and

voice cracking as I struggled to hold back my tears. “He said we’ll marry soon. I’m doing my best.”

your best, Cassidy, it’s pathetic. If you think. Ramsey’s going to marry you after all these years, you’re delusional. He’s paraded you as his Luna, kept other suitors away and

whisper. “When a man wants you, he moves heaven and earth to have you. Men will kill just to be with

and all the things Ramsey has done all these years just to find her. The devotion in his eyes whenever he gazes at her

23

Lyla Woodland is

that gala night.

steadying myself, desperate to stop the heaviness that settled in

what do you want me to do?” I finally choked out.

he won’t marry you, a pregnancy would solve everything“. She straightened smoothing her designer dress. “I’ll find something you can use to knock him, out, make it seem like a wild night

“If I’m caught…”

it right.” She stopped me with a glare. “You have until the next full moon. If you’re not carrying Ramsey Kincaid’s child by

out of

hall.

and began to sob. I’ve never felt so defeated, so

shoulder.

looked up, trying to compose myself.

Ramsey… he doesn’t even look at me.”