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

burned at the condescending

opened my mouth to retort but

managed another tense

Yeah … I should probably head back inside , ” I said

… intervening and saving me

”

།

go , his

men are panther shifters , ” he said his tone as

They might come back ; cats can be

So ,

and whispers

to

”

froze my hand on the door

he

? And why did it sound like he knew more than he was letting on ? My brow

? Panthers are

, they’re always used to track stray were – creatures and since they could mask

had access

were they doing here ?

Dupree’s voice cut

Is it common to see shifters in this

back to face him , shaking my head

I

my first time running into

”

if I had confirmed something

, be careful

be a dangerous place for a young woman … especially one with your

, he turned and walked away , disappearing

4/10

<

and whispers …

of the

skin prickling in a way it hadn’t done in a long time

to shake off the

something wasn’t right , but

deep breath , I turned and went back inside

the café .

place did little to

room , and they immediately landed on Xander

scring through his phone

looked completely at ease as if he hadn’t

I

on a

Xander for a

him and his father felt … off

about those shifters as if he knew I would understand what he meant

didn’t treat me like

he a werewolf

creature ?

other

the café and made his way to

5/10

Shadows and

Xander’s table .

in Xander’s ears before taking

in the interaction but to

Dupree’s imposing presence and a strange aura that commanded the respect he seemed to carry, the

as if ,

was the servant and Xander

the master .

crossed my mind , Xander suddenly lifted his eyes and our gaze

and he raised his hand w

mile spread across

me in a friendly

our eyes locked ,

of apprehension returned in full force , sending a shiver

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

away, hoping to avoid further interaction

focus , get back to work and ignore the growing sense of dread curling in

retreat, the front door

Shadows and

—

entered two women and

scents hit me … they were

Dupree’s table

all

they could associate with those two and not

mood soured instantly and my mind whirled with