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…"

Thames. You know better than to let her wander off.

not to look up at the oak tree as I passed. I could feel my father's eyes on my

I allow myself to slow down. My 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 enemy – for reasons

yet, despite the trouble, I would likely face, I couldn't bring myself to regret my decision. For the first time in my life, I had acted solely on my own judgement, and

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

ahead, I couldn't help the small smile that curved

~~~

pack and warriors tripled on each entrance spot.

for each other as he was constantly following my father around. Those three days, felt

tried subtle questioning at dinner, casual inquires during pack gatherings to some of the warriors I was friendly with, even

operating under a strange tension

the fourth day. I had woken up earlier than before and was too tired to start my chores, so I just laid on my bed, thinking about nothing when

even begun to lighten the horizon when hushed voices and hurried footsteps stirred me from rest. I peeked through my window and saw several alphas arriving,

were they arriving when it wasn't even

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

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 ground on the

through the shadows between cabins. I held my

into view after running for a while – a line of wooden post embedded with protective runes that glowed faintly in

that moment, sliding through the gap between post while

territory and continued to the forest. My heart was beating from anticipation and thrill. The cool morning air filled my lungs as I ran, branches whipping past my face. Freedom – even if temporary

right. I ran through the familiar path, deciding if I didn't see him, I'll come back home immediately before anyone missed me. Dawn was breaking now, painting

tree, I paused when I noticed someone was there. The closer I got to it,

against the tree. He was dressed differently from the other

The man lifted his head as I drew near and a smile spread across his face – the kind of smile that seemed