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…

my way through the hallway, trying not to get 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 Clarissa and more

myself. Just get suitable clothes for the funeral and leave. I repeated the mantra in my head, heading for the stairs that led to the master bedroom. I wasn’t here to wallow in memories or to mourn; I’d done that enough already… in my own way.

which was unusual. Just as I reached out to push it open, a sound froze my steps – soft chuckling, almost delirious drifted from within to my ears. My breath caught in my throat as

14:46

Guilt–tripping grief…

bedroom seemed

in the direction of the closet when the soft, almost muffled chuckling reached my ears again. Startled, I decided to find out what it

the other side of the massive bed and gasped slightly when I saw

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 than rejection and as someone who had experienced what it means to be rejected, I had an idea of how my mother felt right now.

ceased and her gaze shifted from nostalgia to pure hatred that made me involuntarily take a step back.

to get something suitable for Dad… for

nothing. She merely closed the 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 her heavily pregnant

I stepped forward 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 the photo album with her.

distance. “Can we talk? I’m sorry… please just tell me how to fix it, I promise I’ll

walking to the door. I followed her with my gaze fighting the tears that pooled at

at first. She just walked around the room slowly, her fingers

sank onto the bed, running a hand over the quilt on it.

gathering in her eyes. “Since…

the room and sat down beside her, and for

96 Guilt–tripping grief….

carrying a baby doesn’t make it easier. The pack 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 nodded. “I just…” I struggled, finding the

wanted to help her, but it’s like she doesn’t want to do

with me.”

anything