The Alpha’s Fated Outcast: Rise Of The Moonsinger

Chapter 2

Chapter 2: The Gala from hell

Lyla

I stood at the foot of the grand stone steps, my heart hammering against my ribs.

The pack house loomed over me like a fortress, its cold walls whispering memories of a life I had been cast off from.

I couldn’t believe three years had passed since that fateful night when my parents had sent me away in the dead of the night.

I had felt like a thief, banished without explanation or warning and nothing but a thousand dollars, clutching a single bag that was my clothes forcing me to vow never to return.

But now I was back.

I swallowed the knot in my throat, steeling myself.

I didn’t want to come, but my father’s command was not a request.

The annual werewolf gala was tonight and I was to attend.

I had no choice.

Taking a deep breath, I pushed open the heavy oak door, and the rush of familiar scent filled my lungs, bringing with it a flood of childhood memories both painful and good.

I had barely closed the door when my mother’s voice reached me.

“You’re late,” she hissed, her eyes narrowing as she took in my appearance.

Her sharp eyes flicked over me as if she was inspecting something unpleasant on the bottom of her shoe.

Beside her, my sister, Clarissa, gazed at me with a look that was somewhere between pity and disdain.

“I see you still haven’t learned to control yourself during your heat,” Clarissa scoffed.

“Father, it’s not a good idea for her to go like this.

She reeks…”.

“You think if we had a choice, I would have driven four hours to go and get her,” My father hissed “The invitation had stated that every family must send a representative that is 18 and above and ripe for mating.

I had no choice.

She was never an option, to begin with.

”

I flinched, “I’m sorry,” I began but my mother cut me off with a sharp gesture.

“Save it,” she snapped “We’ve been doing so well without you and we want it to remain that way.

Just remember, you’re here because we had no other choice.

Don’t disgrace us today.

If you cause a scene, or so much as draw unwanted attention… we will remove your name from the family register and disown you.

Do you understand?”

was my fault but I nodded

for me had vanished a long time ago buried under shame

had never been enough for them, not without a wolf, not with the monthly humiliation of my

“I understand,” I whispered.

coldly “Clarissa will lend

also fix that stupid hair of you…” She turned

showing up with two giant silver streaks in her hair will

”

nodded and indicated that I follow

tongue, feeling the sting of tears behind

hands trembling

pack warriors dropped me off in front of the

smoothed my dress and headed

clinking glasses grew louder with

air as I reached the entrance and the moment I stepped inside, I felt it – the weight of

a lamb

up my neck, my cheeks flushing against my

and my pheromones spilled into

before I saw

smell?” everyone turned, their noses

“Is she… in heat?”

“No control at all.

She should be locked up and not

snag a mate with those smelly

palms, my nails biting into my skin as I willed myself to remain

I just ignore them… everything

then, a sharp voice cut through the murmurs and I saw Cassidy Thorne step forward, a mocking smile on her

let mutts attend this year,” Cassidy drawled

was the epitome

like her… there was a time when I wanted to

they’ll let anyone

”

the crowd and

moved to a quiet corner of the room, my

month turning me into a joke among the very people with whom

back against the wall, trying to steady my breathing and fight back tears when I felt a

the room caught my

man stood alone, dressed in black from head to toe, melting perfectly

gaze was

eyes, that were sharp and piercing

devastatingly handsome, with chiselled features and an air of quiet strength…but more than that,

moment, the noise of the ballroom faded and all I could

more… My heartbeat

Who was he?

on it, a shadow fell

in front of me, his

has taunted me since I was a child and was the first person to spread

the offer to be his girlfriend when we

bore malice

isn’t the Woodland disgrace,” Darius