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.”

Terra approaching me with a

now?” I asked, coldly.

Harvest Moon has a

1/4

0

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

“For Lyla’s sake,

sighed. “One more time and it would 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 but you should know your boundaries. Stop meddling,

that? To gloat that Jemima is a

from it, Terra said quietly. “It’s Mother

not to show the fear that crept into my heart at the information. “What’s wrong with her?”

a trance and we’re trying to wake her up because a high priestess needs to open the Harvest Moon Festival. They’ve tried everything

the dream would come true… the chances of Mother Liora waking up from the trance was tiny. But I

of Jemima?” I asked

are delicate times, the Priestesses have all agreed that more than ever, things

my head. “I’m not ready

us to cancel the Harvest Moon? The moon will be up anytime soon and we aren’t even ready. For once in your life,

her retreating back, sighing deeply. Remembering the strange man I saw, I quickly turned back to check on him but he

intently

had a feeling that he wanted to give me an earful which I’ve managed to

I froze when I realized it was that strange man I had seen earlier. Up close, his face

169 The Trance

it was that strange man I had seen earlier. Up close, his face was hooded but he

was affecting me, I made to brush past him when his hands shot out and grabbed my arm pulling me back. I staggered backwards; my lips pressed into a thin

heck is that

quietly. His

hear

glaring at him. “Who are you and what makes you think

touch me?”

laughed, producing a throaty sound. “I ask you again,” the man said. “Who

put together what he could possibly mean

be confined… would you want to spend your life