The Alpha’s Fated Outcast: Rise Of The Moonsinger

Chapter 284 284: The unexpected ally II

Clarissa

The cottage finally came into view—a small stone structure almost entirely covered in ivy. It looked untouched, forgotten by time itself—perfect for our needs.

I shouldered open the door, wincing at the loud creak of the hinges. Inside, it was dark and dusty but dry and seemingly secure. I laid Lyla on the small bed in the corner, disturbing a cloud of dust in the process.

"Sorry about the accommodations," I said, attempting a lightness I didn't feel. "I don't know why I have this inclination not to take you back to the pack house. Am I wrong?" I asked over my shoulders.

Lyla didn't respond. She had slipped back into unconsciousness, her breathing shallow but steady.

I moved around the cottage quickly, finding candles and matches in an old drawer. As light filled the small space, I took stock of our situation. The cottage was basic but had what we needed—a roof, walls, a bed for Lyla, and enough distance from the pack house to give us time to think.

Wait a minute. Why was I saying 'our'?

This doesn't concern me. I should just let her stay at the cottage and go back to the comfort of my room, but then again, I couldn't bring myself to leave.

I pulled out the letter from my pocket and stared at it. Whatever secrets it contained had cost Lyla dearly. Part of me wanted to read it immediately, but something held me back. This was Lyla's legacy, our father's words to her. It felt wrong to intrude.

Instead, I turned my attention to Lyla's injuries. They were extensive—bruises covered most of her visible skin, and dried blood caked her face and arms. She didn't have a wolf, so healing would be impossible.

Sighing, I found a relatively clean cloth and a container for water, then slipped outside to fill it from a nearby stream.

When I returned, Lyla was awake again, watching me with wary eyes.

"You're still here," she observed, her voice raspy.

"Where else would I be?" I replied, kneeling beside the bed. "Hold still. I'm going to clean you up a bit."

face but didn't

the blood on her temple, not meeting her eyes. "I

me since we were children. You reported me to Nathan. You told him that I was conversing with your mother earlier on. Why would you

paused, the cloth hovering above her skin. "To win his affection. Since you came back, I've been uneasy, and you cannot relate, Lyla. You have men always swirling around you, and for what it's worth, I never hated you,

"And what was that?"

the words spilling out before I could stop them. "Strong. Special. The daughter

escaped her, causing her to wince in pain. "Is that what you thought? That our father wanted me? Did you see those walls in his study? That wasn't love, Clarissa. That was obsession. I was an experiment to him, nothing

your mother," I said

grateful," Lyla whispered. "His attention

much unsaid between us, years of rivalry and misunderstanding. But now, with danger looming

letter," Lyla said finally. "May

it to her. Her hands shook as she unfolded it, and her

murmured. "Everything your mom told me...

say?" I couldn't

warning about Nathan. About what he is and what he's

frowned. "Your wolf? But

stop my pheromones but also to help me get my

eyes widened. "What

up with tears instantly. "I killed it. I separated her away from me because that's the only way I can use my Moonsinging abilities. Her

you feel.

she nodded. "I can use my powers, but I need to connect with nature to

to help

the vulnerability of moments before. "We need to find a way to get to Ramsey and gather

to sit up, wincing. I placed a hand on her

I insisted. "You can't fight anyone