The Alpha’s Fated Outcast: Rise Of The Moonsinger

35 Shadows and whispers …

35 Shadows and whispers …

Lyla

At that moment … I would have gladly chosen the shifters but they seemed to shrink back at the sight of Mr Dupree , their cocky expressions fading into apprehension .

The alley fell into an eerie silence as Mr Dupree’s imposing figure loomed at the entrance .

My eyes darted between him and the shifters , my body growing tense with surprise and wariness .

First of all , what was he doing e ? Second , why were the shifters looking scared ? He was a human , if anything he should be the one backing away from them .

Why did it seem they were shrinking under his gaze , looking at him sheepishly ?

“ Why is no one answering my question ? ” Mr Dupree chuckled – even that sounded sinister .

“ Is there a problem here ? ”

The leader of the shifters , the one that had tried to flirt with me in the café shook his head .

“ None , we were just leaving ,” he muttered .

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35 Shadows and whispers …

I watched as they turned and hurried away .

As they disappeared from my line of vision , I found myself alone with Mr D.

The relief I felt at the shifter’s departure was quickly overshadowed by a new kind of unease .

I forced a nonchalant smile as I stepped back , trying to suppress the urge to run .

Swallowing hard , I murmured turning to Mr Dupree whose gaze was on me now .

“ They’re just lowlifes , I could have handled them .

”

His lips curled into a smile that didn’t reach his eyes .

“ It didn’t look that way to me , Miss Lyla .

Are you alright though ? Did they try to attack you ? ” he asked , as his gaze flickered all over my body .

I felt exposed .

“ No ! ” I shook my head eager to change the subject , I blurted out .

“ What are you doing here ? ” I winced internally at how accusatory it sounded .

If he was offended by my question he didn’t show it , instead , his expression softened , though it did little to ease my nerves .

“ I live in the neighbourhood , ” he replied casually .

“ Xander and I were just taking an evening stroll.

We were in the coffee shop a while ago

19:27

2/10

<

35 Shadows and whispers …

when I overheard those men talking about teaching someone a lesson .

” His eyes bore into mine .

“ When I saw you heading towards the back door and those men leaving shortly after , I put two and two together .

”

I shifted uncomfortably under his intense gaze .

There was something about the way he looked at me as if he could see right through me .

“ I didn’t realize I was followed .

Thank you for helping me , ” I said awkwardly , my fingers twitching as I resisted the urge to light another cigarette .

“ You shouldn’t be in dark alleys at this hour , ” he continued , his eyes straying to the cigarette pack peeking out of my pocket .

“ And sn woman .

You should know better .

”

You’re

cheeks burned at the condescending remark

mouth to retort but I thought better

another

I should probably head back inside , ” I said taking a step towards the café’s

you for … intervening

”

།

moved to go , his

he said

back ; cats can be quite

So ,

and

not to wander around alone

”

froze my hand on

he know

he knew more than he was letting on ? My brow furrowed slightly

Panthers are messengers

were – creatures and

they had access to almost any

they doing

cut into my thhts

shifters in this part of

to face him , shaking my head , my unease

I

my first

”

as if I had confirmed something

, be careful

can be a dangerous place for a young woman

, he turned and walked away , disappearing around

4/10

<

Shadows and

the building

go , my skin prickling in a way it

rubbed my arms , trying to

screaming that something wasn’t right , but I couldn’t quite put my finger on

I turned

the café .

familiar warmth of the place did little to

and they immediately landed on Xander

at one of the tables , casually scring through his

at ease as if he hadn’t a care in the

in when I was

on a slice

Xander for a

his father

Mr Dupree had talked about those shifters as if he knew I would understand

treat me like I

he a werewolf or

– creature

other

he entered the café

5/10

and

Xander’s table .

something in Xander’s ears before taking

wrong in the interaction but to

the respect he seemed to carry, the way he bowed his head as he spoke to Xander struck

was almost as if

Mr Dupree was the

the master .

my mind , Xander suddenly lifted his eyes and our

raised his

mile spread across

in a friendly manner

eyes locked , that

full force , sending

caught in my throat as I managed a weak smile, feeling my heart beat a little too fast as I awkwardly

I looked away, hoping to avoid further interaction

get back to work and ignore the growing sense of dread curling in my stomach

before I could fully retreat, the front door of the café

Shadows and

—

entered two women and a

…

immediately to Xander and Mr Dupree’s table that was

all werewolves

no way they could associate with those two and not

mood soured instantly and my mind whirled