The Alpha’s Fated Outcast: Rise Of The Moonsinger

277: For I have two foes...

Lyla

"Nathan has been gathering allies from beyond and all the packs around us, too – forces willing to march under the Blue Ridge banner—Alphas who are desperate, who believe in whatever promises he made. Promises of power, of vengeance, not to mention all of them are bound to him through the blood oath, and those who disagree with him meet their death like my brother," she sobbed.

I stared at her, still trying to wrap my head around everything she said.

"It's a death wish, Lyla," she sobbed.

"You think I can just tell him to stop?" I scoffed. "You think he'll listen to me? He had me thrown into a pit, tortured me nonstop, and then forced me to take the blood oath. I am probably just like any of you now."

"But he trusts you," Luna Vanessa countered. Her gaze was still pleading. "You're the only one he allows access to whatever he's doing. All his meetings…"

"That's because I'm the Moonsinger and should know these things."

"Or because he still loves you. If you tell him to stop – if you tell him it's wrong – he might reconsider."

My frustration was mounting. Anger and confusion were slowly building up inside me. "Why are you telling me this? Why not speak to him yourself?"

Luna Vanessa's eyes softened. "Because I can't reach him, Lyla. Not the way you can. He's… slipping away. He asked Clarissa to come back to the house. He lives on his own, except his father, of course."

"Just because…"

"Lyla," she stopped me, reaching for my hands. "Stop trying to make excuses. We all know his feelings for you are genuine. And there's more – more that you need to know." She paused as if she wanted to gather strength. "I've been talking to other Alphas – mostly your father's closest friends, and we'd like to do your father's bidding."

a lot of things at once.

inhaled deeply, her gaze never leaving my face. "Your father left you a letter, and I know you've read the content but chose to remain silent all

chance to read it because I didn't think it would contain anything, and I wasn't in the mood to read

be something important. But she didn't know, and no

I

he did, even as a child," her voice dropped lower. "I'm not sure you know this, but even as a child, after the death of his mother, Nathan would do strange things. Things that frightened everyone. Your father wanted you to rule in his stead. He loved you, Lyla. Despite everything, he loved you. He wished he had

ache bloomed in my chest. My father – his absence, his coldness. The way he had treated me…why should I believe the words of a woman who hated

I didn't say anything, I just

his father couldn't have refuted. It was in the letter, too. He only said in words that Nathan should rule." Her voice caught, and tears gathered in her eyes. "He loved your mother, and despite all the threats, I knew he just had to play along to satisfy me. But until his death, he had wished you were home and that he was a better father to you. He'd used

you're trying to do. Why are you saying all of this now?" I gestured angrily toward

kill us all if he continues down this path. My daughter's title – my son's heritage – my ambitions – they

"I'm sure he knows what he's doing, Luna

and forcing our warriors to do strange rituals. I've heard things … terrible things. He wants to create

trusted—a boy

my father – a man I had resented, whose love I had long given

don't know what you want me to do…" I started with

he needed you weakened but

you in the first place? I demanded though doubt had already begun to gnaw

jealousy. Your father never stopped loving your mother. She was the third person in my marriage. He would always visit her whenever something happened with us and, by extension, you. The day

smile crossed her

when Clarissa came, I had to accept that he would never treat both of you the same way. You constantly reminded me of what I and my daughter could never bet to him." She looked

the way he'd insisted I stay close to