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.

your own? Do you want me to hold you or carry you?” he asked.

walk” I said quickly, although I still felt slightly dizzy.

then,” he said,

147 Manifestation

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

Seth came out.

word, he bowed curtly to us and then brushed

quietly. “He won’t say anything to anyone. Now hurry and go to your

you so much!” I nodded and fled into the pack

them into the sink to scrub away the evidence. The earthy scent of the forest still clung to my skin, mixing with the faint metallic smell of blood from minor scratches I hadn’t noticed earlier.

feverishly, one car trained to the door to pick up any movement. I washed off the stains, restoring the dress to its original colour. Throwing it into a bucket at

tense r but doing nothing to cleanse the confusion clouding my mind. After

dress in the bucket, wondering what explanation to give on how it ended up wet. After coming up with a few lies, I stepped out of the bathroom. On cue, the door to my bedroom opened and Nanny entered, carrying a steaming cup of my morning medicine.

over to the vanity table where she set the cup and turned to me, her keen eyes scanning the length of my body. “How was your night? Did you just

to you too, Nan and I had a wonderful night,… that was

in my

in the human world or at Blue Ridge bathing me.” I

in my hands, I sipped slowly, pushing the bitter taste down

to stand behind me, reaching for my brush and

The Lycan Leaders gave the instructions. He didn’t want you

to get spoilt. The maids at Blue Ridge are my mother’s henchmen. I’ll be getting poison ivy mixed in my bath if

laughed it off as Nanny slowly started to brush and dry my hair with practised care, just like she had always done when

suddenly paused mid–stroke. From the mirror, I saw her

she murmured, her voice

on the hand of the chair I sat on as

smell nothing” I said dismissively. Hoping she wouldn’t press further, but Nanny

my shoulder and

been bleeding–a wound I had intended to treat

this happen? How did you get this she sounded

I’m fine, Nan…” Larranged my hair back

gashes? Does being 23 make you immune to pain