The Alpha’s Fated Outcast: Rise Of The Moonsinger

Lyla

"False alarm," Ramsey announced as he strode into the war room. "There was no breach at the northern gate."

I looked up from the ritual preparations I was reviewing with Nanny. "What about the dead sentries?"

"That part was real," he said grimly. "Three warriors, throats slit. But there's no evidence of an invading force. No tracks, no scents, nothing."

Something cold settled in my stomach. "An inside job."

Ramsey nodded. "Someone wanted to draw our attention away from something else."

"Or someone," Gamma Darius added, his eyes meeting mine. "Like the bomb in your car."

We all fell silent, the implications hanging heavy in the air. White Moon had a traitor—perhaps more than one—working for Nathan.

"The ritual must continue", I said finally. "We need those Ferals fighting for us, not against us."

"I'll increase security around the ritual grounds," Ramsey decided. "No one gets within a hundred yards except those directly involved."

I shook my head. "No, Ramsey. The ritual requires solitude. Just me and the Ferals."

"Absolutely not." His tone was firm. "Not with a traitor in our midst."

"The ritual won't work otherwise," Nanny interjected. "Ancient magic has requirements that can't be ignored. Interference from others will disrupt the energy flow."

Ramsey looked torn, his desire to protect me warring with our desperate need for the Ferals' strength.

"I'll be fine," I assured him, touching his arm. "The Ferals won't hurt me. They respond to my voice."

After much argument, we reached a compromise: guards would maintain a perimeter around the ritual grounds, far enough away not to interfere with the magic but close enough to respond if anything went wrong.

As sunset approached, I retreated to prepare myself. In my room, I bathed in water infused with sacred herbs, cleansing my body and spirit. Nanny helped me dress in the traditional ritual garb—a flowing white gown with golden embroidery that caught the light like liquid moonbeams.

"Are you certain about this?" she asked as she wove moonflowers into my hair. "Converting so many Ferals at once has never been attempted."

"Nathan arrives by morning. We need every fighter we can

eyes sad. "I've been rereading the

I interrupted. "One impossible task

from my room, Ramsey was waiting. His breath caught visibly

Moon Goddess herself,"

"Let's hope I can channel some of her power

me to the edge of the ritual grounds—a natural clearing in the heart of White Mountain territory. The full moon would pass directly overhead at

be right here," Ramsey promised, stopping at the perimeter line. "If anything feels wrong, call

the ritual once it began could have disastrous consequences. With a final

weren't ordinary Ferals—they were the elite fighters the Dark One had been sending

had a Trinax, and each Trinax could only control

took my position in the center of the clearing, feeling the place's energy intensify as moonlight began

them," I commanded, my voice

hesitated, exchanging

"Now," I insisted.

watched them go but made no move to attack. Instead, their attention focused

began to hum softly, establishing a connection with them. The familiar melody calmed their restless movements. They settled into sitting positions, forming

I moved to the next phase. I took a handful of crushed herbs from a golden bowl and cast them into the small fire burning before me. The flames turned

my voice gaining power, "hear my call. These souls before me are lost between worlds, neither wolf nor human. Guide them

Ferals stirred, some whimpering as if in pain. I continued, my voice rising

the first Moonsinger, I command the darkness to release its

surged higher, illuminating the clearing

most dangerous part. I stepped toward the nearest Feral—Shadow, my little

the light," I commanded. "Remember who

eyes, his form began to change—not to human, but to a normal wolf. The

at me and

the invocation. Some transformed more easily than others. The most vicious ones fought the change, snarling and snapping.

midnight approached, my strength began to wane. Sweat beaded on my forehead, and my hand throbbed where I'd cut it. Converting

stumbling slightly as I approached one of the

first attack. His eyes still burned with madness as I placed my hand on his massive

to the light," I commanded, but my voice

weakness. With a vicious snarl, he lunged