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

169 The Trance I

Miriam (07

I would not let Jeremy’s bitterness and hatred tear me apart. I have spent too long living with regret, but Lyla’s future was still unwritten. I would fight for my daughter’s happiness no matter what it took.

It was already evening, and I headed towards the bonfire area, where many young people were gathered. When I reached there, I spotted Lyla and Nathan laughing together near the flames.

Lyla’s face lit up with joy as she spoke, her hands gesturing animatedly – Clarissa was there too and Nathan watched her with a soft smile, his eyes filled with adoration.

For a moment, my heart swelled with pride and hope. Maybe Jeremy was wrong. Maybe Lyla and Nathan could find happiness together despite everything.

But then, out of the corner of my eye, I saw a figure standing in the shadows, watching two of them.

It was Ramsey.

My heart sank as I watched the way his eyes followed Lyla, filled with a mixture of longing and

SOTTOW.

I knew then that Jeremy’s fears weren’t entirely unfounded.

Secrets and old wounds had a way of resurfacing, and the past was never truly buried.

As I watched, the young people talking around the fire, Terra’s words and Jeremy’s words took turns flitting into my mind. While Terra’s words filled me with guilt and defiance, Jeremy’s words. scared the shit out of me.

I couldn’t imagine, Lyla going through another phase of heartbreak. The mere thought of it breaks my heart. I just lingered at the edge of the clearing where the bonfire was watching them since I didn’t know what to do.

From the corner of my eyes, I caught sight of a Blue Ridge delegation. I know because he was wearing the pack’s plaid. But something was different.

This time, a chill ran down my spine as I watched the figure moving towards Lyla and Nathan- someone I hadn’t seen before.

The man’s presence was subtle, almost too subtle, but my instincts screamed at me to pay attention. I couldn’t place him, but something about him felt…wrong.

Before I could dwell on it further, a soft voice broke through my thoughts..

“Miriam.”

me with a serious

now?” I asked,

to be careful,” she said quietly. “The Harvest Moon has a way of revealing truths – whether we’re

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tightened, but I kept my face neutral. “I know what I’m doing.

she said. “For Lyla’s sake,

be pure nagging. C’mon, girl…” I turned to face her now, “The only reason why I’m still being polite to you is because you’re my friend

“And why is that? To gloat that Jemima is a better

“It’s Mother

the fear that crept into my

trance and we’re trying to wake her up because a high priestess needs to open the Harvest Moon Festival. They’ve tried everything they can but she’s not responding.

waking up from the trance was tiny. But I couldn’t voice that out. Each High priestess had a gift… For Mother Liora, she had insights into seeing things that have happened in the past while I had insight into

Jemima?” I

who bears the silver mark can orchestrate any Harvest Moon and these are delicate times, the

can’t, Terra,” I shook my head. “I’m not ready to…”

even ready. For once in your life, can you just do as you’re told? You’re driving me crazy with this

I stared at her retreating back, sighing deeply. Remembering the strange man I saw, I quickly turned back to check

gazing intently

I had a feeling that he wanted to give me an

I froze when I

169 The Trance

away when I noticed someone was standing directly behind. me. I froze when I realized it was that strange man I had seen earlier. Up close, his face was hooded but he

me, I made to brush past him when his hands

the heck is

said quietly. His voice was distorted, making it

to hear the

hand off my arm, glaring at him. “Who are you and what

touch me?”

throaty sound. “I ask you again,” the man

he could possibly

you would miss out on? You’ve always hated to be confined… would you want to spend your life confined in the walls of that temple – no fun, no booze and no man, the man let out a known chuckle “You like