The Alpha’s Fated Outcast: Rise Of The Moonsinger

147 Manifestation Il When my body volted awake , the first thing | noticed was the rough ground beneath me

damp earth and scattered leaves pressing against my skin .

lot again, | thought as panic rose in my chest .

1 blinked rapidly as the towering trees aroundblurred into my view .

| was in the forest again , no doubt .

| scrambled into a seating position , the dried leaves beneathcrinkling with my frantic movement .

My hands flew to my hair, clutching at the strands tightly as my fingers trembled .

My eyes darted around the clearing , trying to piece together the puzzle of how | had ended up here- again , My

breathing was shallow and uneven .

Why how ? | stammered under my breath , my voice cracking with disbelief .

My chest heaved as | spun, searching for any clue that might groundin reality .

A voice interrupted my spiralling thoughts .

Youre awake | whirled toward the sound , startled , my heart pounding like a drum .

Leaning casually against a nearby tree , his arms crossed , stood Lenny .

He had a calm, concerned , almost amused expression on his face .

* Lenny ? * | called out shakily .

What what are you doing here ? He pushed off the tree and walked over to where | was .

| could ask you the sthing , he said , offering his hand , but Im not interested in explanations right now , he

added flatly , cutting off any excuse | might want to give .

| stared at his outstretched hand before tentatively placing my hand on his .

My fingers felt cold and stiff as he helpedto my feet and heldfor a few seconds as | swayed slightly , still

disoriented .

The last night shift patrol team found you out here , he continued in a clipped but not unkind tone .

Thankfully , they brought it to my attention before anyone else saw .

Were fortunate its still dawn and most of the pack is asleep .

You can sneak back into the pack house without questions .

His tone brooked no room for argument , so | nodded mutely .

Feeling my cheeks redden as | avoided his gaze .

Can you walk on your own ? Do you wantto hold you or carry you ? he asked .

I can walk | said quickly , although I still felt slightly dizzy .

Lets go then , he said , motioningto follow .

< 147 Manifestation II We walked quietly but briskly , as | was desperate to avoid meeting anyone .

It would be hard to explain my mysterious state .

Just as we arrived at the pack house entrance , the door opened and Seth cout .

His gaze flickered betweenand Lenny then back to.

Without saying a word , he bowed curtly to us and then brushed past us , going his way .

Dont worry about Seth ! Lenny said quietly .

He wont say anything to anyone .

Now hurry and go to your room .

Thank you so much ! | nodded and fled into the pack house .

Back in my room, | moved with purpose .

| stripped off my dirty clothes , stuffing them into the sink to scrub away the evidence .

The earthy scent of the forest still clung to my skin , mixing with the faint metallic smell of blood from minor

scratches | hadnt noticed earlier .

| washed the dirty clothes feverishly , one car trained to the door to pick up any movement .

| washed off the stains , restoring the dress to its original colour .

Throwing it into a bucket at the corner of the bathroom, | stepped into the shower .

Hot water cascaded over, washing away the dirt and leaves and soothing my tense r but doing nothing to

cleanse the confusion clouding my mind .

After washing off the worst of the gr, | wrapped myself in a soft bathrobe , my damp hair sticking to my

shoulders .

| stared at my wet dress in the bucket , wondering what explanation to give on how it ended up wet .

After coming up with a few lies , | stepped out of the bathroom .

On cue, the door to my bedroom opened and Nanny entered , carrying a steaming cup of my morning medicine

Good morning darling , she said brightly , smiling atbriefly before moving over to the vanity table where she

set the cup and turned to me, her keen eyes scanning the length of my body .

How was your night ? Did you just bathe by yourself ? Good morning to you too , Nan and | had a wonderful night

, ... that was a lie .

My sassy wolf Nymeris tormentedin my sleep .

And | think living here is making you think youre ssort of princess .

Like I had a maid back in the human world or at Blue Ridge bathing.

| said , avoiding Nannys gaze as | crossed the room to sit at the vanity .

Taking the cup in my hands, | sipped slowly , pushing the bitter taste down my throat .

She laughed and cto stand behind, reaching for my brush and hair dryer on the vanity table .

It was the Lycan Leaders instructions .

He said he didnt want you doing anything with your hands .

The Lycan Leaders gave the instructions .

He didnt want you to use your hands .

The maids will be slightly disappointed to find youve done their work when they arrive today As if ! | winced after

taking another sip .

| dont want to get spoilt .

The maids at Blue Ridge are my mothers henchmen .

Ill be getting poison ivy mixed in my bath if | ever demand that .

We laughed it off as Nanny slowly started to brush and dry my hair with practised care, just like she had always

done when | was a teenager at Blue Ridge and while we still lived together in the human world .

| finished the medicine and closed my eyes for a moment, letting myself relax , but it was Sort lived and Nanny

suddenly paused mid stroke .

From the mirror , | saw her nostrils flaring slightly as she sniffed the air , het brows furrowing smell blood , she

murmured , her voice filled with concern .

My body stiffenedd , my grip tightening on the hand of the chair | sat on as 1 imitated her previous nent .

| smell nothing | said dismissively .

Hoping she wouldnt press further , but Nanny didnt seem like she was going to relent soon .

She continued sniffing the air , ignoring my reassurance that it was nothing .

Setting the brush and the dryer aside , she gently lifted my hair from my shoulder and pushed aside the collar of

my robe .

Her sharp intake of breath gaveall the confirmation | needed : she had caught.

| had noticed a small gash on my neck that had been bleeding a wound | had intended to treat after my bath ,

but Nannys arrival had suspended it .

How did this happen ? How did you get this she sounded hysterical .

| scrubbed too hard while | was bathing , but Im fine , Nan ... Larranged my hair back in place .

Stop fretting over a little blood .

Im not a child .

Im 23, And so ? You should walk around with open , bleeding gashes ? Does being 23 make you immune to pain

and injuries ? What if it gets infected ? Will being an adult stop that ? She sounded like my mother .

Ill treat it , | mumbled .

Im going to ask you again ; how did you get this ? Tellthis instant, Lyla ... I inhaled and exhaled .

| woke up in the forest .

| admitted , my voice barely above a whisper .

Like yesterday .

Her eyes widened as tears welled up in them .

Without another word , she pulledinto a tight embrace , her hands cradling my head as if she could shield