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

170 When you love someone….

Ramsey

I stood before the floor–length mirror in my room, watching as the servant meticulously adjusted my ceremonial attire for the Harvest Moon Festival, which would begin at midnight.

My room, which used to be a sanctuary, felt suffocating despite its size. My grandfather, Elder Eldric, stood near the tall windows, his cane lightly tapping the floor as he gazed at the servant. intently, as if taking his eyes away would cause something to go awry.

Lenny–my Beta leaned against the small reading desk at the corner of my room, reviewing my itinerary for the evening and reminding me what I had to do or not while Cassidy lounged on the chaise, scrolling through her phone. Even the servant assisting me with my attire moved silently. yet managed to add to the suffocating atmosphere.

It was weird that I had almost everyone in the room who adored me, yet I felt like the most unloved person in the world. For the longest time, my grandfather would always come to hang around whenever there was a big festival to watch me dress up. He loved it more than anything.

“And then, you have to recognize, Alpha Ray, his pack had the most bountiful harvest this year up West and they paid all their taxes and pledges, too. There’s also Alpha Cade, who helped a lot of the smaller packs when they suffered through those Feral attacks months back. He sent out his warriors and protected his own pack with his family. I heard they’re all skilled warriors, Lenny was saying.

“One year after a child is born, regardless of the sex, they’re made to start learning basic combat skills,” my grandfather chirped. “So, the entire population from the West can fight. I wish we had implemented it before. It would give me peace if I knew half the members of the White Moon Pack can deflect a blow.”

“Don’t worry, Elder Eldric, Lenny soothed him. “This generation of kids we’re raising will become

skilled warriors.”

Lexhaled slowly again, wishing the knot in my chest would loosen, but my chest was still heavy with emotions I could barely name. My mind wandered to the scene at the bonfire earlier–Lyla and Nathan. Their happiness had radiated like the flames themselves.

Lyla’s laughter, their shared glances filled with want for each other, had stirred up a storm of conflicting emotions within me. The image of them together refused to leave my mind. Their happiness had been genuine, unforced. It was the kind of bond I’d always imagined for myself- the kind of bond my parents had and something I’d never quite managed to find.

I sighed wearily, hoping the ached would subside.

“Ramsey, my grandfather broke through my thoughts. As he came closer to me, meeting my gaze in the mirror. “The Harvest Moon Festival would be the perfect time to announce the new date of your joining ceremony officially. With all the packs at ease and the joy that comes from this celebration, I think it’s time to

let everyone know and it would not be selfish to go ahead as

planned.”

I nodded silently, my reflection showing a perfect mask of composure they hid the turmoil

14

you love somecon…

perfect mask

withing me.

grandfather turned

a wedding as soon

calm but distant. “Yes, Elder Eldric. I’m ready, she replied evenly, though there was a quietness in her tone that I couldn’t

too, because he frowned slightly, his eyes narrowing at

met for a brief moment in the mirror, but she turned away immediately, offering a smile to my grandfather that

and I noticed she was no longer in my shadows like before. It was either she’d be in her pack or, if she was around, she would remain confined in her room.

fastening my cloak, bowed and excused himself. My grandfather also muttered something about last–minute arrangements and gestured for Cassidy to follow him. She rose gracefully, sparing me one last lingering glance before she left the room with my grandfather without saying a word to me.

so

questions about things that didn’t matter,

gaze was on me, filled with concern and curiosity as soon as

Lenny asked softly.

and shook my head. “I’ll be lying if I say I am. I’m not, Lenny”

with a weariness that felt bone deep. “Nathan came to see me earlier,” I began with a hollowness in my voice. “He asked for my

surprise. “And you

hardest ‘yes‘ I’ve ever given in my life. Standing there, watching him as something inside me tore apart and pretending I wasn’t green with envy, but

said about destiny, about balance, about me and Lyla… I don’t believe it anymore, Lenny. Not when it’s this hard:

patted me comfortingly on my back. “She’s happy with him, Ramsey, and sometimes, the

you

be happy?” A sad smile curved my lips. “Don’t I deserve to be with the woman my heart loves dearly? The woman I’ve longed for. I’m just worried that I’ll never be what Cassidy wants and it

bit but, my heart is closed off from her entirely and I feel so bad because she deserves

know how much she’s practically being chasing after you. It’s not your fault that happened, and I think you

not like she would leave

that first day and tried not to be a Lycan Leader around her, maybe none of this would have

all your talks about things like this, you’re still single. You don’t want to find a mate?” I turned away from the

know I love to keep all my relationships private. That way it makes

you!”