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

162 After everything we’ve shared?

Nathan

I leaned back in my office chair, phone pressed to my car, with a smile tugging at my lips as Lyla’s voice filled the room through the phone.

The warmth of her voice was the only antidote to my endless tasks and preparations for the Harvest Moon Festival.

“I miss you, Lyla,” I said softly, sighing with longing that was becoming hard to suppress… “It feels like I haven’t seen you for ages.”

“I miss you more,” she sighed. “I honestly wanted to return as soon as I recovered, but the High

Priestess would not hear a word of it. She insists I should wait until after the Harvest Moon S

Festival, and then I can go with you!”

“Yeah,” I nodded, glancing at the scattered reports on my desk. “You wouldn’t miss me if you saw this mountain of work I’m buried under. Everyone’s running around like their tails are on fire. We’ve enjoyed a week without any Feral threat; nothing has been sighted since then. So, we’re preparing for the festival. Patrols, food arrangements, the elders‘ seating plan – it’s madness.”

“Sounds like fun to me, she chuckled. “It’s not different here, though. We had some Priestess from the Moon Temple over yesterday, and I’ll be joining them in performing some barricade spells on the borders of the White Moon Pack. I heard they’ve been travelling to packs all over the region.”

“Yeah, they came to ours last week. It’s temporary. But you don’t have any powers; how are you helping them?”

“I wish I knew. They insisted, and they’ve been giving me this weird stare. One of them outrightly asked me if Nanny was my real mom.”

My heart skipped a beat. I didn’t know how long it would take until Nanny revealed the truth to Lyla. As much as I’ve been itching to tell her, it wasn’t in my place. Still, I was getting anxious by the day. The more Lyla blossomed into a woman, the more she was beginning to look like her mother.

“Don’t take it to heart… that’s how they all are, I finally responded, trying to make light of the situation. “Anyways, you should brace yourself because when you become a Luna… there’ll be more work for you. The Elders are trying to pass it into law, something about letting women train and being managed by the Luna of every pack. They want to ensure everyone can defend themselves against the Feral attack.”

“Here, children from ages 6 are enrolled on a

-training school that teaches basic defence skills and survival. But don’t worry, I’m sure it’ll not be as bad as it was predicted.”

“Yeah!” I murmured, drawing in a deep sigh.

“Hmm…. are you sure you don’t want me to take over as Alpha for a day? You sound tired,” Lyla

said.

“Tempting offer, but I’d rather have you here for other reasons,” my voice dropped slightly,

<

After everything we’ve shared?

I’d rather have you here for other reasons,” my voice dropped slightly, making Lyla laugh again. Her light–heartedness eased the tension in my shoulders. “Speaking of the Festival,” I continued. “Is there anything you want me to bring to White Moon Pack when I come? Anything at all.”

her end before she answered. “Just you, Nathan. That’s all

wrap myself in a bow if

I was happy, and something had changed. I didn’t know if it was the distance or something else, but Lyla was different to me from how she was

of Ramsey… and I could feel the longing in her voice too whenever she spoke. Was

of the year would start, her voice broke into my thoughts. “It’s late this year.”

year; don’t worry, it’ll come soon enough.” As I leaned forward to adjust a document on my desk, the door to my office swung open without warning. Clarissa came into view with

knowing what it

on, Ly. Clarissa just walked

calm. “Oh? What’s

the office fully, closing the door behind her. “Hello, Alpha,” she

automatically, though something in me wished I’d

food basket slightly. “I was trying out a new recipe and made way too much. I wanted to share some with you. Do you mind? And before you say

basket before muttering into the phone. “Clarissa brought me some food.”

so thoughtful of her, Lyla replied warmly. “Thank her for

you, I relayed the message to Clarissa, then added reluctantly. “I should probably let

done with whatever I need to

uncomfortable silence settling over the office. Clarissa stood expectantly with the food container. I managed to smile as I took the food from her. “Thank you for his.

little things, you know. If anything,

everything

has brought me food and small gifts, sought me out for small favours, or found reasons to visit my office. I tried to discourage it

get it.

I said, trying to put the container

to know if it turned out well. Can you take a few bites for me?

wanted to say No, but that might lead to another

steaming plate of roast vegetables and herb–crusted chicken. For one, it didn’t look like a new recipe, but it

her a small smile.

delicious. You’ve outdone

in my office, settling in like she belonged there. She didn’t look like

it.

the lid of the container, hoping I still had a polite smile on my face. She was going to be my

what?” I asked,

her to rest a lot since the baby