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,

<

everything

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,

excitement as my heart swelled. “Done. I’ll wrap myself in a bow if that’s

I didn’t know if it was the distance or

could feel the longing in her voice too whenever she spoke. Was she

snow of the year would start, her voice broke into my

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 a bright

knowing

“Hold on, Ly. Clarissa just walked in.”

voice was curious but calm. “Oh? What’s she doing there?”

her. “Hello, Alpha,” she said cheerily. “Am I interrupting something?”

at all,” I replied automatically, though something in me wished I’d said yes. “What brings you

share some with you. Do you mind? And before you say

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

thoughtful of her, Lyla replied warmly. “Thank her for me.”

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

I should be done with whatever I

my desk, an uncomfortable silence settling over the office. Clarissa stood expectantly with the food container. I managed

these little things, you know. If

everything

This wasn’t the first time she was bringing me food. From the day that I saved her until now, she has brought me food and small gifts, sought me out for small favours, or found reasons to visit my office. I tried

get

it later,” I said, trying to put the container inside the fridge, but she

it turned out well. Can you take a few bites for me? Please…”

wanted to say No, but that might lead to another argument. So, I just nodded.

to reveal a steaming plate of roast vegetables and herb–crusted chicken. For one, it didn’t look

a

delicious. You’ve outdone

in like she belonged there. She didn’t

you like it. Have you heard?” she

the container, hoping I still had a polite smile on my

what?” I asked, frowning.

doctors want her to rest