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 you or carry you?”

I said quickly, although I still felt

then,” he said, motioning

Manifestation

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

Seth came out.

a word, he bowed curtly to us and then brushed

Seth!” Lenny said quietly. “He won’t say anything to

nodded and fled into

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

the dirty clothes 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

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

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,

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

and I had a wonderful night,… that was a

tormented me in

maid back in the human world or at Blue Ridge bathing me.” I said, avoiding Nanny’s gaze as I crossed the

sipped slowly, pushing

me, reaching for my brush and hair dryer on the vanity table.

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

taking another sip. “I don’t want to get spoilt. The maids at Blue Ridge are my mother’s henchmen. I’ll be getting poison ivy mixed in my bath if I ever demand

my hair with practised care, just like she had always done when I was a teenager

myself relax, but it was Sort–lived and Nanny suddenly paused mid–stroke.

her voice filled

on the hand of the

“I smell nothing” I said dismissively. Hoping she wouldn’t press further, but Nanny didn’t seem like she was going to relent

dryer aside, she gently lifted my hair from my shoulder and pushed aside the collar of my robe. Her sharp intake of breath gave me all

had noticed a small gash on my neck that had been bleeding–a wound I had intended

How did you get this she sounded hysterical.

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

You should walk around with open, bleeding gashes? Does being 23 make you immune to pain and injuries? What if it gets infected? Will being