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.

you safe? Yes! I was frustrated that he got involved in the drama between you and your mate… but I didn’t hate you and that’s normal as

some form of confirmation of my fears maybe, but he was

in the car earlier, those icy looks you gave me as if you resented me…”

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 advice. Seeing you together again… he shook his head, “I can only

C

you hate me?

him as

me. I stared at him, my mind racing. “You think I’d

that his Beta came to the meeting today, I know he’s aware that

requested it,” I tried to

something as trivial as this? He didn’t even have the decency to come to Pack house after your father was pronounced…” he swallowed hard, his features clouding

with pain.

whispered

I need you to assure me that you’ll protect my son from Alpha Ramsey. He’s ruthless… I’ve met a lot of people in

off into the distance. When he looked back at me,

likes. He’s like a child who will never

agreed it

he wants.

think that meant anything to him, Lyla!” Beta Jeremy chuckled. “He’s not obessed with you either… he loves you… the same way my Nathan does,” he sighed. “You have to make it clear this time around who you want, although I don’t think Ramsey

fact. “We don’t mean anything to each other and I can be with whom

the human world?” he

“I already

the front of the hall. Immeldately, Nathan rushed over,

he murmured. “I was