The Alpha’s Fated Outcast: Rise Of The Moonsinger

Chapter 251 251: The night that changed everything I

Neriah

He crossed the small space and sat down beside me on the bed. The mattress dipped under his weight. Never in my memory had my father sat on my bed. He always stood, towering over me, maintaining the physical manifestation of his authority.

"Your mother's condition has worsened, Neriah," he said solemnly, staring at his hands. "And the healers are not so positive again."

A cold dread washed over me. My mother has been ill for nearly two years now, with brief periods of improvement followed by devastating relapses. But my father had always maintained she would recover, that it was just a matter of time.

"But can you do me a favour?" he asked his voice softer than I had ever heard it.

I was shocked. My father had never asked me for a favour. He commanded, and I did his bidding. That was the way it had always been. The balance of power between us was s fixed as stars in the sky.

I nodded wordlessly, afraid to speak lest my voice betray my confusion.

"Reject Thames and marry the son of the Lycan Leader."

The words hung in the air between us, heavy and suffocating. I felt as though the ground had disappeared beneath my feet. Thames was my mate, aside from that, he was my childhood friend and everyone knew that. No one was surprised when the Moon Goddess paired us as mates years ago and our union had been approved by the pack years ago.

More than that, I love him. Thames gets me in everything I do. He was the only one in the pack whom I could show my weakness and insecurities without worrying about being judged. He never judged me despite our differences, he never judged me and I was grateful for that.

"Father, I…" I began, but he raised his hand, silencing me.

"It's not a request, Neriah. It's what must be done." His eyes finally met mine and in them, I saw not the cold, unyielding authority I expected, but something close to desperation. "The Lycan Leader has resources… healers with knowledge. They might be able to save your mother."

My mind whirled—the son of the Lycan Leader. I had only seen him from afar during formal gatherings, a tall, imposing figure always flanked by guards. Cold. Distant. Nothing like the warmth and laughter I shared with Thames.

father reached for my hand, grasping it and staring at me softly. "There are so many things I have to say, things to tell you but…" he paused. "You're a special child, Neriah… and only the Lycans have the

me from what?" I inquired tentatively. I didn't want to offend my

away. "It's complicated but I hope with time you can understand what I mean just know that you're chosen to uphold our

what power. What the hell was he talking about? Why was

Thames know?" I whispered. My voice was barely

head. "Not yet. I wanted

another calculated move in whatever

before I could stop

Your mothers', our pack, our world and so is yours. We are being threatened, Neriah. We're being forced into

expect that I would just let him go like that? There should

cannot make sacrifices, Neriah. That's our code, we

Never in a thousand lives did I ever think of this scene. Shamelessly calling out to my father without remorse. I didn't even think that was possible. "I love

don't love him that much!" my father fired and stalked back to me, before grabbing my neck. "You think I don't know that you're yet to let him mate and mark you? You have been together for several

I choose not to. I want to be able to be with him without

"The Lycan delegation will stay for three days. You have until then to make your decision known. I am doing everything I can for the sake of this pack. Once you

to the door, he paused, his back to me. "Think of your mother, Neriah. She would be saved with the expertise of those Lycan

behind him with a soft click that somehow

words. Marry the son of

came just hours after I met with Corvus. The

this wasn't about my

it was about

out my window at the forest beyond the pack's boundary, where the ancient oak tree stood. Where Corvus had waited for me. Where everything had changed. He did mention something about having