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

96 Guilt–tripping grief…

Lyla

It was nearly dusk when I arrived at the pack house and the first time I would be going home since I arrived at Blue Ridge.

I hesitated at the door, taking in a deep breath. I didn’t know what to expect from my mother.

Did she hate me less now?

I glanced over my shoulder at the two pack warriors Beta Jeremy had insisted I come with, their presence felt comforting alright but I knew I had to face whatever was waiting for me inside the house.

“Wait here, I managed to say to them. “I won’t be long”

They nodded quietly and stood to one side of the terrace. I took another deep breath again before knocking. After a few seconds, the heavy door creaked open revealing one of the pack

servants.

It was our housekeeper.

As soon as she saw me, she opened the door wider and bowed her head in greeting. “Miss Lyla.”

“Good evening. I flashed her an uneasy smile looking past her shoulders. “Are my mother and my sister around?”

“Miss Clarissa went for a walk around the Packhouse to clear her head, while your mother is resting in the bedroom. Should I tell her you’re here?”

“No!” I said quickly, feeling relieved somewhat. “Let’s not disturb her. I only came to get an important thing for my dad’s funeral and will be out in no time.”

I entered the house, stopping to respond to the greetings of the few domestic staff who passed by or were working silently in the background. The atmosphere in the house felt depressing. Everyone I passed had a sombre look on their face. They were all mourning for my father.

a good man… except for me.

overwhelmed by the memories that rushed to my mind. My father sitting in his favourite chair in the sitting room, barking orders at m Family dinners that revolved around their perfect daughter

clothes for the funeral and leave. I repeated the mantra in my head, heading for the stairs that led to the

sound froze my steps – soft chuckling, almost delirious drifted from within to my ears. My breath caught in my throat as I

14:46

Guilt–tripping

bedroom seemed empty.

the direction of the closet when the soft, almost muffled chuckling reached my ears again.

to the other side of the massive bed and gasped slightly when I saw my mother sitting on the

a pained release than true laughter. Her cheeks were streaked with dried tears and her eyes were swollen and red from crying. I’ve heard that losing your mate- the pain, was worse

if sensing my presence, she finally looked up and immediately the chuckling ceased and her gaze shifted from nostalgia to pure hatred that made me involuntarily take a

came to get something suitable for Dad… for his

photo album with a deliberate slowness that felt like she was contemplating harming me before attempting to stand. She groaned as she tried to stand with

to help but a sharp glare from her made me recoil. Reaching for the bedpost instead, she pulled herself up, panting. Then she walked past me taking

sorry… please just tell me how to fix it, I promise I’ll do anything”

I followed her with my gaze fighting the tears that pooled at the corner of my eyes.

hoping to hide the tears in my eyes but Clarissa entered the room anyway. She didn’t say anything to me at first. She just walked around the room slowly, her fingers brushing against father’s belongings – his reading glasses

running a hand over the quilt on

the first time I’ve been here, she said softly, tears gathering in her eyes. “Since… since father…” she couldn’t finish the sentence, but she didn’t need

crossed the room and sat down beside her, and

96 Guilt–tripping grief….

healers. say that she’s in deep grief – it’s hitting her harder than anyone expected and they said it’ll take time, but she’ll

my lip, lowering my gaze to the floor and

“I wanted to help her,

with me.”

anything