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 instead, my throat was too

remnants of any affection my family had for me had vanished a long time ago buried under shame and

for them, not without a wolf, not with the monthly humiliation of

“I understand,” I whispered.

coldly “Clarissa will lend you something from

fix that stupid hair of you…” She

pheromones, showing up with two giant silver streaks in her hair will

”

Mom,” Clarissa nodded and

the sting of tears behind my eyes but refusing

followed Clarissa, my hands trembling as we

off in front of the grand ballroom, my

and headed towards the

of laughter, music and clinking glasses grew louder with

the moment I stepped inside, I felt it – the weight

like a lamb

up my neck, my cheeks flushing against my

into

heard the whispers before I

smell?” everyone turned,

“Is she… in heat?”

“No control at all.

She should be locked up and

to snag a mate with those

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

just ignore them… everything will

through the murmurs and I saw Cassidy Thorne step forward, a mocking smile on

let mutts attend this year,” Cassidy drawled loud enough

– was the epitome

like her… there was a

let anyone in

”

crowd and

an apology, I forced myself to look away and moved to a quiet corner of the room, my

my body betrayed me every month turning me into a joke among the very people with whom I

trying to steady my breathing and fight back tears when I

the

stood alone, dressed in black from head

gaze was fixed on

had amber eyes, that were

of quiet strength…but more

noise of the ballroom faded and

captive – curiosity and …something more… My heartbeat quickened, not out

Who was he?

it, a

in front of me,

was a child and was the first person to spread

this was because I had rejected the offer to be

still bore

isn’t the Woodland disgrace,” Darius