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

86 Do you hate me?

Lyla

I screamed and stumbled backwards.

Just as I felt myself slipping, strong hands reached out, steadying me. I looked up, ready to bolt only to meet Beta Jeremy’s calm gaze. His expression softened as he pulled me to my feet, still keeping me close as his eyes surveyed the garden before he asked.

“Are you alright? Did you see something that frightened you?”

Quickly, I stepped back, straightening my clothes with shaking hands and avoiding his gaze. I was sure of what I had felt. “I’m sorry, I thought… I thought you were someone else.”

Curiosity flashed through his eyes as he stared at me. I know he had questions but he seemed to think better of it and merely nodded, going with my explanation. He took a step back.

“Nathan was worried about you, so I came to fetch you. Come with me, we’ll be leaving soon.”

Without a word, I walked towards him and together, we fell into step beside each other. We walked in silence as we moved through the garden paths with only the light from the moon. I sneaked a look at Beta Jeremy, his hands were clasped behind him, his gaze fixed ahead… I wondered what he was thinking.

Since my return, there was this unspoken tension between us as if he was silently blaming me. for something. When we emerged out of the garden, I stopped. Immediately, he also stopped and turned to me.

“I know you hate me.”

He arched his brow for a moment, studying me quietly. “What makes you think that?”

I wrapped my arms around myself as if I was trying to hold myself together. “Because I’m the reason Nathan was imprisoned for four years, I said. “You… you must hate me for it.

The lines on his forehead flattened as a quiet smile crossed his face.

frustrated that he got involved in the drama between you and your mate… but I didn’t hate you and that’s normal as a parent. You’re like my daughter too, Lyla… I watched

Truly, I had expected a harsher response, some form of confirmation of my fears maybe, but he

you been acting awkward and distant? And in the car earlier, those icy looks

his guard slip. “It’s not resentment, Lyla. It’s… caution,” he hesitated, then continued. “Because I know you’ll sway Nathan,” he admitted. “And you already did. As much as I want to protect him from you, I cannot. He’s headstrong and when it comes to you, I feel like no one can give him any

C

Do you

him as you were before.”

and voice surprise me. I stared at him, my mind

him involved with Alpha Ramsey again. Seeing that his Beta came to the meeting today,

he came because my mother requested it,” I tried

think those uptight Lycans would leave their duties and come for something as trivial as this? He didn’t even have

with pain.

I whispered softly.

I am not interested but I need you to assure me that you’ll protect my son from

looking off into the distance. When he

he likes. He’s like a child who will

me already,” I shook my head. “We agreed it was best. I am not the kind of

he wants.

Jeremy chuckled. “He’s not obessed with you either… he loves you… the same way my Nathan does,” he sighed. “You have to

that,” I shook my head annoyed at the fact. “We don’t mean anything

you’ll go back to the human world?” he asked

with father’s burial,” I nodded. “I already have life there and I intend to go back to it.”

without saying anything. By this time, we had neared the front of the hall. Immeldately, Nathan rushed over, grabbing me by my shoulders as he pulled me in for

okay now?” he murmured. “I was worried.”