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 to hold

although I still felt

said, motioning me to

147 Manifestation II

be hard to explain my mysterious state. Just as we arrived at the pack house

Seth came out.

me and Lenny then back to me. Without saying a word,

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

so much!” I nodded and

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

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

washing away 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 grime, I wrapped myself in a soft bathrobe,

few lies, I stepped out of the bathroom. On cue, the door to my bedroom opened and Nanny entered, carrying a

set the cup and turned to me, her keen eyes scanning the length

a wonderful night,… that was a lie. My sassy wolf

me in

here is making you think you’re some sort of princess. Like I had a maid back in the human world or at

I sipped slowly, pushing the bitter taste down my

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

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 you’ve done their work when they arrive today”

at Blue Ridge are my mother’s henchmen. I’ll be getting poison ivy mixed in my bath

brush and dry my hair with practised care, just like she had always done when I

and closed my eyes for a moment, letting myself relax, but it was Sort–lived and Nanny suddenly paused mid–stroke. From the mirror, I saw her nostrils flaring slightly as she sniffed the air, het brows

her voice filled

my grip tightening on the hand of the chair I sat

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

that it was nothing. Setting the brush and the dryer aside, she gently lifted my hair from my shoulder and pushed aside the collar

noticed a small gash on my neck that had been bleeding–a wound I had intended to treat after my bath,

this happen? How did you get this she sounded

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

23 make you immune to pain and injuries? What if