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

147 Manifestation II

When my body volted awake, the first thing I noticed was the rough ground beneath me–damp earth and scattered leaves pressing against my skin.

lot again, I thought as panic rose in my chest.

1 blinked rapidly as the towering trees around me blurred into my view. I was in the forest again, no doubt.

I scrambled into a seating position, the dried leaves beneath me crinkling with my frantic

movement.

My hands flew to my hair, clutching at the strands tightly as my fingers trembled. My eyes darted around the clearing, trying to piece together the puzzle of how I had ended up here- again,

My breathing was shallow and uneven.

“Why how?” I stammered under my breath, my voice cracking with disbelief. My chest heaved as I spun, searching for any clue that might ground me in reality.

A voice interrupted my spiralling thoughts.

“You’re awake”

I whirled toward the sound, startled, my heart pounding like a drum. Leaning casually against a nearby tree, his arms crossed, stood Lenny. He had a calm, concerned, almost amused expression on his face.

*Lenny?* I called out shakily. “What–what are you doing here?”

He pushed off the tree and walked over to where I was. “I could ask you the same thing,” he said, offering his hand, “but I’m not interested in explanations right now,” he added flatly, cutting off any excuse I might want to give.

I stared at his outstretched hand before tentatively placing my hand on his. My fingers felt cold and stiff as he helped me to my feet and held me for a few seconds as I swayed slightly, still disoriented.

“The last night shift patrol team found you out here, he continued in a clipped but not unkind tone. “Thankfully, they brought it to my attention before anyone else saw. We’re fortunate it’s still dawn and most of the pack is asleep. You can sneak back into the pack house without

questions.”

His tone brooked no room for argument, so I nodded mutely. Feeling my cheeks redden as I avoided his gaze.

you walk on your own? Do you want me

although I

go then,” he said, motioning me to follow.

147 Manifestation II

as I was desperate to avoid meeting anyone. It would be hard to explain my mysterious state. Just as we arrived at the pack house entrance,

Seth came out.

a word, he bowed curtly to us and then

“He won’t say anything to anyone. Now

much!” I nodded and fled into the pack house.

my dirty clothes, stuffing them into the sink to scrub away the evidence. The earthy scent of the forest still clung to

I washed off the stains, restoring the dress to its original colour. Throwing it into a bucket at

to cleanse the confusion clouding my mind. After washing off the worst of the grime, I wrapped myself in a soft

lies, I stepped out of the bathroom. On cue, the door to my

cup and turned to me, her keen eyes scanning the length of my body.

you too, Nan and I had a wonderful night,… that was a lie. My sassy

in

had a maid back in the human world or at Blue Ridge bathing me.” I said,

slowly, pushing

behind me, reaching for my brush

instructions. He said he didn’t want you doing anything with your hands. The Lycan Leaders gave the instructions. He didn’t want you to use your hands. The

Blue Ridge are my mother’s henchmen.

brush and dry my hair with practised care, just like she had always done when I was a teenager at Blue Ridge and

medicine and closed my eyes for a moment, letting myself relax, but it was Sort–lived and Nanny suddenly paused

her voice filled with concern.

grip tightening on the hand of the chair I sat on as

she wouldn’t press further, but Nanny didn’t seem like she

the dryer aside, she gently lifted my hair from my shoulder and pushed aside the collar of my robe.

a small gash on my neck that had been bleeding–a wound I had intended to treat after my bath, but Nanny’s

How did you

was bathing, but I’m fine, Nan…” Larranged my hair back in place. “Stop fretting over a little blood. I’m not a child. I’m

bleeding gashes? Does being 23 make you immune to pain and injuries? What if it gets infected?