The Alpha’s Fated Outcast: Rise Of The Moonsinger

Chapter 249 249: Reunion at the oak tree...

Neriah

Beads of sweat formed on my forehead.

"Yes," another warrior confirmed "She said she hasn't been here long," he pointed out. "If she's been waiting for Thames, surely she would have seen the intruder pass by."

All eyes turned back to me. I felt my mouth go dry. If I don't answer correctly, I might be buried alongside the strange man.

"I was meditating," I said, the half-truth coming more easily than expected. "When I meditate, I … lose track of time and my surroundings. If someone passed by, I wouldn't have noticed."

"Didn't you just say you were waiting for Thames?" Their leader asked again.

Thames came to where I was and took one of my hands, placing tiny kisses on my knuckles before he let out an easy chuckle.

"Ah, well, she's probably just flustered from being questioned and that's enough, you all. I was with her. We had a slight quarrel and she came into the forest. We were together when I got a mindlink from the Alpha and I left her alone to wait for me," he turned to me and gave me a small, reassuring smile. "Right?"

I hesitated, glancing at him before quickly nodding. "Yes, I must have misspoken."

The warrior leader didn't look convinced, but before he could push further, my father let out a huff of frustration.

"Enough of this nonsense," he snapped. "How dare you insinuate that my daughter would know anything about that devil?"

"I'm sorry, Alpha," the warrior leader quickly bowed his head and then turned to me. "I'm sorry, little miss."

My father turned to me, studying my face for what felt like an eternity, his dark eyes boring into mine as if trying to extract the truth by sheer force of will. Finally, he made a disgusted sound in the back of his throat.

"Get out of my sight," he hissed. "Return to the pack immediately. We will discuss your disobedience later."

"Alpha, she wasn't…"

from you either, Thames. You know better than to let her

twice. I dipped my head in submission and hurried away, careful not to look up at the oak tree as I passed. I could feel my father's eyes on my back until I

mind racing with the implications of what I had done. I had lied to my father, to the pack's warriors. I had protected a stranger – possibly an

the first time in my life, I had acted solely on my own judgement, and my own

it wasn't from fear. It was an unfamiliar thrill coursing through my veins. A strange, electric thrill – the sensation of having taken the first step on a path of my own choosing. Whatever consequences came from this moment, they would be mine to bear, born from a choice that was

uncertainty ahead, I couldn't help the

~~~

go back to the forest until after three days. For some reason, my father limited movement outside the pack and warriors tripled on each entrance spot. Despite all

father around. Those three days, felt like torture to me. I was dying to know

The walls seemed to close in with each passing hour. I'd tried subtle questioning at dinner, casual inquires during pack gatherings to some of the warriors I was friendly with, even attempted to eavesdrop on

pack was operating under a strange tension that nobody

fourth day. I had woken up earlier than before and was too tired to start my chores, so I just

stirred me from rest. I peeked through my window and saw several alphas arriving, together with the Lycan Leader whom I

were they arriving when it wasn't even

could only mean something significant was happening – something my father hadn't wanted me to know. With everyone distracted by the important arivals,

worn leather boots and threw a dark cloak over my nightdress. I crept through the silent house, careful to avoid the creaking floorboard outside my parent's room. Once outside, I easily scaled the dwarf fence surrounding the pack house, dropping silently to the

the main hall, making it suprinsingly easy for me to navigate through the

boundary came into view after running for a while – a line of wooden post embedded with protective runes that glowed faintly in the pre – dawn light. Two guards stood at the nearest exit, but they were engaged in animated conversation about

moment, sliding through the gap between post while their

was beating from anticipation and thrill. The cool morning air filled my lungs as I ran, branches whipping past my face. Freedom

deciding if I didn't see him, I'll come back home immediately before anyone missed me. Dawn was breaking now, painting the forest in soft hues of pink

when I

man. He was leaning against the tree. He was dressed differently from the other day and his red hair was slicked back, revealing the

breathlessness. The man lifted his head as I drew near and a smile spread across