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

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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 a

at the condescending remark

but I thought better of

another tense , uncomfortable smile

probably head back inside , ” I

for …

”

།

to go , his

” he said his tone

come back ;

So ,

and

advise you not to wander

”

my hand on the door handle

did he

he knew more than he was letting on

? Panthers are messengers

used to track stray were – creatures and since they could mask their scent naturally and take

had access to almost

doing here

Dupree’s voice cut

Is it common to see shifters in

turned back to face him , shaking my head , my unease

No ,” I

first time running into any

”

nodded as if I had confirmed

careful

for a young woman … especially one with your unique qualities

by that , he

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<

and whispers

of the building

stood there for a moment , watching him go , my skin prickling in a way it hadn’t done in a

arms , trying to shake off

right , but I couldn’t quite put my finger on it

I turned and

the café .

of the place did

, and they immediately landed on

sitting at one of the tables , casually scring through

completely at ease as if he hadn’t a care in

must have come in when I was having those mysterious

a

Xander for

and his father

had talked about those shifters as if he knew I

treat me like I

he a werewolf or

creature ?

other

he entered the café and made his way to

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Shadows and whispers

Xander’s table .

something in Xander’s ears before taking the seat opposite

have seen nothing wrong in the interaction but to me , it felt strange

Mr Dupree’s imposing presence and a strange aura that commanded the respect he seemed to carry, the way he bowed his head as he spoke to Xander struck me

was almost as if , despite

Mr Dupree was the servant and Xander

the master .

mind , Xander suddenly lifted his eyes and

raised his

mile spread across

at me in a

eyes locked ,

force ,

in my throat as I managed a weak smile, feeling my heart beat a

, I looked away, hoping

ignore the

could fully retreat, the front door of

and whispers

—

newcomers entered two women

… they

immediately to Xander and Mr Dupree’s table that was when

were all werewolves

they could associate with those two and not

and my