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?”

wanted to tell them that none of this was my fault but I nodded instead, my throat was

of any affection my family had for me had vanished

enough for them, not without a wolf, not

“I understand,” I whispered.

will lend you something

might want to also fix that stupid hair of you…” She turned to my sister “Give her one of your

enough that she’s emitting pheromones, showing up with two giant silver streaks

”

Clarissa nodded and indicated that

bit my tongue, feeling the sting of tears behind my eyes but refusing to let

followed Clarissa, my hands trembling as

off in front of the grand ballroom, my father had been too

dress and

of laughter, music and clinking glasses

power, strength and pure werewolf dominance filled the air as I reached the entrance and the moment I stepped inside, I felt it – the

a lamb among

up my neck, my cheeks flushing against

spilled into the air announcing my presence like a

the whispers before I saw

everyone turned, their noses wrinkled in

“Is she… in heat?”

“No control at all.

should be locked up

to snag

into my palms, my nails biting into my

ignore them… everything will

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

realize they let mutts attend this year,” Cassidy

was the epitome of werewolf beauty and

was a time when I wanted to be her so

suppose they’ll let

”

through the crowd and I

myself to look away and moved to a quiet corner of the

betrayed me every month turning me into a joke among the very people with whom I should by

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

across the room caught

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

gaze was

had amber eyes, that were

features and an air of quiet strength…but more than that, there was something in his gaze that I

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

eyes that held me captive – curiosity and …something more… My heartbeat quickened, not

Who was he?

on it, a shadow fell over

in front of me, his lips twisted into a sly

child and was the first person to spread my wolfless situation when we were

because I had rejected the offer to be

bore malice against

it isn’t the