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.

me to hold

although I still felt slightly

then,” he said, motioning

Manifestation II

walked quietly but briskly, 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, the door opened

Seth came out.

a word, he bowed curtly to us and then

worry about Seth!” Lenny said quietly. “He won’t say anything to anyone. Now hurry and go to

so much!” I nodded and fled

earthy scent of the forest still clung to my skin, mixing with the faint metallic smell of

up any movement. I washed off the stains, restoring the dress to its original colour. Throwing it into a bucket at the corner of the

dirt and leaves and soothing my tense r but doing nothing to cleanse the confusion clouding my mind. After washing off the worst of the

dress in the bucket, wondering what explanation to give on how it ended up wet. After coming up with a few lies, I

to the vanity table where she set the cup and turned to me, her keen eyes

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

me in

think living here is making you think you’re some sort of princess. Like I had a maid back in the human world or at Blue Ridge bathing me.” I said, avoiding Nanny’s gaze as I crossed the room to sit at the

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

stand behind me, reaching for my brush and

was the Lycan Leader’s 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 maids will be slightly disappointed to find

don’t want to get spoilt. The maids at Blue Ridge

like she had always done when I was a teenager at

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

murmured, her voice

my grip tightening on the hand of the chair I sat

Hoping she wouldn’t press further, but Nanny

gently lifted my hair from my shoulder and

wound I had intended to treat after my bath, but Nanny’s arrival had suspended it.

did this happen? How did you get

was bathing, but I’m fine, Nan…” Larranged my hair back in place. “Stop fretting over a little blood. I’m

you immune to pain and injuries? What