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

180 The proposal…

Lyla

Everyone on the Festival grounds parted like a wave, creating a path as Nathan approached me guiding the wooden platform that held the proposal. Around us, people murmured, pointing

excitedly at us.

My heart pounded in my chest as he drew closer. His usual confidence was replaced by an endearing nervousness that made him look younger and more vulnerable. He carried a bouque of night–blooming jasmine, the rarest of flowers you’d ever see in our world.

I can’t believe he remembered. Of course he had. We’d spent countless nights in the garden as teenagers, where I’d told him how the flowers reminded me of the sweet memories of my childhood.

Finally, the platform rolled to a stop and Nathan stepped off as he came to stand directly before me. The bouquet trembled slightly in his hands as he extended it toward me.

“For you.” he said, in a tone softer than I’d ever heard.

I accepted the flowers, burying my nose in it. He inhaled deeply, his gaze still holding mine. The he lowered himself onto one knee. Gasps rippled through the crowd, but my world had narrowed to just the two of us.

“Lyla,” he began, his voice was steady despite the nervous smile he flashed me. “I know we agreed to keep our relationship private, but I can’t contain my heart any longer. Every day, I wake up thinking of you. Every night, I dream of our future together and I can’t hold it in anymore. Not when every fibre of my being screams, you’re my mate.”

My knees weakened at the sincerity in his tone, so much so that I was trembling.

“I’ve dreamed of you every day…” he continued “… of what it would be like to wake up beside you to share my

life with you, to be the one you turn to in everything. I know it’s not perfect, but Lyla, I don’t want it any other way. You’re my heart, my soul, my everything.”

Tears welled in my eyes as my grip tightened on the bouquet.

“As my mate, you would never know a day without love, without protection, without absolute devotion, his voice grew stronger, more certain with each word. “I’ve seen your strength, your kindness, your fierce spirit. I’ve watched you overcome every challenge fate has thrown at you, and I fall more in love with you each time.”

He reached into his pocket, producing a small wooden box carved with the same ancient symbols as the proposal platform. “I promise you, Lyla, that I will never hurt you or break your Trust. I will never let you face your battles alone. I will cherish every moment we have together, whether in joy or hardship. So please…”

He flipped open the box to reveal a ring that sparkled like the Harvest Moon above us. Holding it towards me, his eyes locked on mine.

C

150 The proposal.

give me your heart, as I give you mine. Be my mate, my partner, my

My emotions were all over the place – joy, disbelief, and overwhelming

when Clarissa had said I wouldn’t marry him. It had taken him several assurances from both him and Clarissa in the end

seed of

I nodded, as tears spilt freely down my cheeks

him.

I whispered, then louder. “Yes, Nathan! I will.”

in his hands,

around us, conveying everything we felt. The crowd’s cheers

finally pulled apart, Nathan rested his forehead against mine. His smile was so wide it lit up his entire face. I smiled back,

pack members. I tried to keep

something tugged at me. A half–remembered moment from just before Nathan’s arrival. Ramsey–he had been about

it was

hand around my waist. Immediately, I froze. I still haven’t gotten used to his touch. “I bought your favourite wine. We could take the celebration to

our world, an engagement is as good as getting married. And I know we will not stop at

still need to ask Mother Liora

me halfway.

swallowed hard. I didn’t have any other excuse. I allowed

house.

grounds, Nanny called out to me. I turned to her immediately,

180 The proposal….

and also feeling a wave of guilt at what happened between her

Nymeris.

with her?” she pleaded with Nathan,

I thought he would refuse, but he simply nodded and continued towards the pack. house. Alone, I and Nanny looked

her throat.

engagement?” “If I wasn’t,

round of silence ensued. I decided I was going

from her.

so sorry

“I’m sorry…”

of us started speaking at the same time. Finally, our gazes met, and