The Alpha’s Fated Outcast: Rise Of The Moonsinger

69 A kiss , reunion and rain …

Lyla

I wouldn’t say I liked it when it rains though it had been raining more often than usual and the weather forecast hadn’t mentioned anything about rain and I’d left my umbrella at home .

I stood at the entrance of my company’s building , debating whether to wait it out or make a run for it to the bus stop two blocks away .

I pulled my coat tighter around me , feeling the mist from the rain kiss my cheeks .

The streetlights reflected off the wet pavements .

I sighed as I stared at the sky , it wasn’t showing any signs of stopping soon .

The street was growing emptier and soon there would be no bus to my place .

The last time I had missed the last bus , I had to sleep in my office and all I wanted to do more than anything after a long day at work was to go home to my warm apartment , with a cup of tea and bury myself in layers of blankets .

As I stood there contemplating , the glass doors behind me swooshed open .

I turned and to my surprise , it was Paul , one of the marketing managers .

His short brown hair was a little messy , as though he had run his hand through it one too many times during the day .

He smiled awkwardly , his dark – rimmed glasses slightly fogging from the temperature difference inside and outside the building .

He was holding out a raincoat to me .

“ Hey Lyla ,” he greeted , looking at his feet .

“ Hey Paul , ” I replied returning his smile .

He was always so polite to me , and so considerate .

Over the past few months , I’d caught him stealing glances at me during company meetings and I couldn’t deny the warm flutter in my chest whenever our paths crossed in the break room .

He seemed harmless … but Xander had been that do .

So , I had to caution myself – these days , I stay away from humans especially .

I’ve had three years.

and six months of my life without any drama and I intend to keep it that way .

“ Here , ” he said in a shy voice pointing at the raincoat .

“ You can use this .

I saw you standing out here and thought you might need it .

You’ll get soaked otherwise .

”

I blinked in surprise .

“ Oh , no , I couldn’t … ”

* Please ! ” He insisted , already pushing it inside my hand .

“ I’m staying late anyway and I have the company car and driver .

” He pushed his glasses up his nose .

“ So , I insist .

”

“ Oh , Paul , that’s so thoughtful of you , ” I said , my smile deepening .

Thank you so much .

He nodded .

Pushing his glasses up his nose , a nervous gesture I’d come to find endearing .

… um …

patiently , as he gathered courage , a faint blush crept across his cheeks , and I felt my own face warning

thing is tomorrow is my birthday ,” he finally

, rounion and rain

the

city , I don’t really

, he paused ,

I’m having a small gathering tomorrow for my birthday

really plan much … I mean , I’ve asked some people and I was wondering … ” He took

moment .

… would you like to come ? There’ll be some people from marketing too

it’s a bother and you might probably want to spend your weekend resting but I’d really like it if you came

”

at the sincerity in his voice

out with all the nervousness

a couple of times within the company , there has always

like the other managers who carried their

and I knew he liked

always looking at me and now , this invitation and the sweet

I refuse him ?

could be Xander – in

was the only defence

Xander and Mr Dupree until

love to , ”

up and he grinned , looking more relieved than

? That’s that’s great

this watch and his eyes

Oh shoot , I have a meeting with the

” he was already backing toward the door ,

latest and free novels

Sure , ” I

Go before you’re

,

, leaving me staying there with his raincoat and a grin I couldn’t suppress if I tried

looked down at his raincoat , suspiciously … Xander had been using spells on me according to Nanny at some point

… I didn’t know what it was but Nanny always

was unsure about anything ,

I slipped the coat on

was slightly too big for me , but it made it even more endearing and it was warm

immediately felt silly

I

a deep breath , I stepped out into the

, the wind whipped at my face

eyes , thinking maybe I should’ve waited for the

after

all .

, or rather , the

blinked in

reunion

looked up .

umbrella had appeared above my head , large enough to shield me completely

the downpour .

thank whoever it was for their kindness but the

slipped from my fingers landing with a wet splash on

of eyes I never thought

holding the umbrella was

breath caught in my chest , my

to blur around me as I locked eyes with his

couldn’t be

Not here .

Not now .

have known I work here

know where I lived , I already moved out from

, this couldn’t possibly

was my grief deceiving me

to , I’ll take it from here , I told the man

, when he straightened ,

looked exactly like Nathan and completely different at the