The Alpha’s Fated Outcast: Rise Of The Moonsinger

Chapter 234 234: The Choice...

Lyla

I had spent the last two days doing everything I could to keep myself occupied, but nothing seemed to shake off the worry that clung to me like a second skin. Ramsey had called once when he arrived in Blue Ridge, his voice steady, assuring her that everything was fine and that he would return soon. But since then, silence. Lenny had mentioned in the morning assembly that Ramsey had called briefly, stating he was caught up in negotiations, yet something about his absence gnawed at me.

I decided to clear my head with a walk.

Recently, we've decided to be taking the Feral pups, those that were mature enough to walk out once every now and again to let them excersise and not get used to staying indoors and in one place.

When Ramsey was here, we would take one of the pups together through a hidden path, reserved for Ramsey and himself for a run every evening. It did them good because they were already getting accustomed to everything.

The Feral pup beside me—one of the few that had grown enough to walk steadily and not just that, showed excellent skills. He was a good listener and learner. Though he didn't speak, he could understand a few words said to him and could take instructions—padded along with me, its wide eyes flickering between curiosity and alertness.

The afternoon was cool, the air thick with the scent of damp earth and pine. I tried not to let my thoughts wander to Ramsey, but the gnawing worry made it impossible. I exhaled sharply, rubbing my temples as we walked toward the clearing.

Suddenly, the Feral stiffened beside me, its ears flattening as it let out a deep growl. I stopped immediately, my instincts coming alive. I followed the pup's gaze to a dense cluster of trees just ahead. The creature beside me snarled lowly, its fangs bared as its eyes locked onto something hidden in the shadows.

My pulse quickened.

"Nymeris," I whispered in my mind, calling my wolf.

Be ready.

As if in response, a warm pulse of energy coiled inside me

The moment I did, the leaves rustled, and the shadows twisted. From behind the tree stepped a figure.

I inhaled sharply.

Xander.

He looked exactly as I remembered—the same sharp features, the smoldering blue eyes that seemed to hold galaxies of chaos within them. His dark hair fell slightly over his face, and he wore a lazy smirk as if they were nothing more than old friends meeting by chance.

My stomach clenched.

The last time I saw Xander was during the cleansing ritual and I had fallen into a coma. When he had tortured me and tried to make me succumb to his need. He looked even better than what I had done. Much more better.

Also, he had started coming to my dreams these days, lurking like a ghost from my past, whispering promises of things she could never allow herself to accept. But now, here he was—flesh and bone.

"I have missed you," Xander said smoothly, his voice sliding over me like silk, dark and teasing. He took a step forward, but the Feral at my side growled louder, its body tensed.

My hands balled into fists.

I didn't have time for this. I didn't want to entertain whatever delusion Xander had.

"I'll make this quick," he continued, unfazed by the hostility in my stance. "Choose."

I narrowed her eyes.

"Choose what?" I asked, my voice steady despite the unease swirling in my stomach.

disappointed by my lack of understanding. He exhaled dramatically and

air around

mirage appeared

I gasped.

wavering illusion,

face was bloodied, bruises dark against his pale skin. His chest rose and fell weakly, as if each breath pained him. His clothes

My heart stopped.

whispered, taking an instinctive step forward, only for Xander to wave his fingers and

again, his voice lower, more

trembling with fear and anger at the same time. I didn't know if I was angrier that he was here or that he

It's either Xander was trying to play with my emotions and get me

lying," Ihissed.

gleamed as he leaned slightly toward me his voice

My breath hitched.

in trouble. And I was standing here, wasting time with the very thing I had been warned

I spat, her

his eyes flickering

yourself

my stomach lurched.

the air between them like a suffocating

gauge if he was serious. But the problem with Xander

He was waiting.

could hear my heart

I clenched my fists.

figure out how to get Ramsey out

breath. "You're asking me to betray

Xander's eyes darkened.

you to save

felt her knees

no right

I go with Xander—if I gave in—I would be breaking everything between me and Ramsey. I would be giving Xander the power he wanted over me, over my world, oover everything, the satisfaction of

But if I didn't…

Ramsey would die.

My chest tightened.

I called

stirred, her energy rippling through mea like an

him break

sharply,my jaw

me carefully, waiting, his

something that

I laughed.

raw, and slightly unhinged, but

brow arched

"Something funny?"

exhaled, shaking my