The Alpha's Fated Outcast: Rise Of The Moonsinger by Ejiofor Dorcas

“That scent!” Lax’s voice filtered into my head. “I've perceived it before. This morning...”

“What?” Heaned closer, sniffing her neck.

The scent sent a familiar message to my brain. That two-tailed werewolf from this morning had had a similar

scent, not just that. Lax had growled excitedly when she cto rub herself against my leg and called her mate.

“It’s faint, but it feels like her,” Lax sald again.

“She doesn’t have a wolf, buddy,” | replied. “You're still hung up with that werewolf, and you have her scent

registered in your brain. It cannot be Lyla... she was sick and has been bedridden”

Lyla pushed away frombefore Lax could finish speaking, taking a step backwards. and smiling atbefore

turning to Mother Liora.

“Mother, are you well?” she asked.

“I am now that | see you. You look so...”

“Healthy?” she finished, laughing. “I feel much better thanks to you and Nanny, and of course,” she turned to me

again; | saw anxiety flash through her eyes. “And to you too, Alpha. I'm super grateful.

| nodded absentmindedly, giving her a scrutinizing gaze. Within me, Lax was still Insisting that the werewolf’s

scent from this morning was on Lyla.

“You were at death's door just days ago,” | intoned. “And now you're... fine?”

“I recover quickly,” she replied, meeting my eyes with defiance.

“Since when?” | asked, allowing my eyes to hover the length of her body, looking for signs that she was the wolf

from the morning to confirm Lax’s suspicion.

“Since discovering my abilities as a Moonsinger,” she fired back. “Are you not happy that | am fine? Were you

hoping that I'd die so that Nathan would not mate withproperly?”

“Why are you bringing him up?” | arched a brow. “We were talking about you, and | don’t want a strand of hair

harmed on your head. You're my mate, too, and I love you.”

Her cheeks turned red as she gave Mother Liora a furtive glance, glaring at me. “You cannot say such words in

front of-"

“Why not?” Mother Liora interrupted, her eyes crinkling with amusement. “Just because we do not have mates

doesn’t mean | don’t know what love is, and believe me, Lyla... I've heard my fair share of vulgar, uncensored

words. Your mother, for instance, used to pick up bad words whenever we went out for a cleansing ceremony in

other packs.”

*Fuck!” | muttered under my breath, realizing what Mother Liora had just done and. hoping Lyla didn’t catch on.

“My mother?” Her eyebrows furrowed in confusion as she asked, “She lived with you?”

she asked.

| felt Mother Liora freeze in realization of what she had just done. Aimost immediately, she smiled at Lyla,

tapping her hands apologetically. “I used to go to your mother’s pack when she was still a girl. She was feisty.”

“Really?” her eyes shone with amusement. “Mom was feisty? She doesn’t seem like it. When | was little, | and

Nathan would call her the Ice Queen behind her back because she was so cold to everyone, including me. Even

Dad would delay coming hmost times whenever she’s angry.”

My y gaze met Mother Liora’s over Lyla’s head, and she sighed with relief.

“It's a blessing to see you well again, my dear. But you should still rest. Your body has been through so much.”

“I appreciate your concern, Mother, Lyla said, her voice softening. “But | wanted to tell you I'd like to return to

Blue Ridge as soon as possible. | miss Nathan so much, and I've been away for too long. I'm sure he must have

been worried these few days, not being able to speak with me.”

Two-tailed skint

“I had your mother...” Mother Liora started again and paused halfway, wringing her

hands in distress.

“What she means,” | continued smoothly. “We called your mother and told her you were sick, then asked her to

tell Nathan so he wouldn't worry.”

“Yes,” Mother Liora nodded. “We also told him you'd call as soon as you get well. Have you called him yet?”

A naughty smile crept up Lyla’s face. “I haven't yet, but instead of calling him, how about | travel down there and

show up as a surprise to him?”

Mother Liora frowned. “You need more tto heal. Perhaps in a few days.

“I'm really strong, Mother...” she whined, “And | miss Nath so much.”

“The roads are dangerous now, Lyla,” | said from behind, holding her gaze as she turned to look at me. “For

instance, today we walked into a pile of dead Ferals... more than five dozen...”

“Wow!” her eyes widened with surprise. “Really? How is that even possible? That should be the highest kill so far.

Except the other day, | saw that vision and told you.”

She looked genuinely surprised. There was no way she was the wolf, and neither did she act like she knew what |

was talking about.

“Yeah!” | nodded, still watching her closely, “But the thing is, the werewolf responsible for doing all of that is

nowhere to be found. We're still looking for her and...”

“It was a werewolf?” she didn’t letfinish. Her beautiful eyes popped out of her head. “How is that even

possible?”

“We don’t know that yet, child, Mother Liora replied, turning her gaze back to her. “I want you to stay for the

Harvest Moon Festival. The full moon is coming soon, and it will be a significant day for all the packs in our

world.”

“Are you saying you will ask all the Alphas to cto the White Mountain Region? Isn't that risky? Didn't you say

there are feral threats and the roads are unsafe to travel on?”

“Yes!” Mother Liora answered, returning her gaze to her again. “But it would be only Alphas from the Cardinal

Werewolves and Lycan’s packs. It would be small and intimate. We would do everything needed, and then other

packs can join us virtually.”

“And the security situation?” she asked.

She wouldn't ask that if she was the wolf, right?

“We'll take care of that don’t worry ‘e the Hameet Moon Butual and it’e secantial

156 Two-tailed scent

“We'll take care of that, don’t worry. It’s the Harvest Moon Festival, and it’s essential. Concentrate on getting

better, you can leave with Nathan when he comes. How about.

that?”

She nodded, though she jutted her lower lip into a pout, begging for a kiss. “Fine, I'll

wait.”

She muttered something else about going to find Miriam before she turned and left the

room.

As soon as Mother Liora and | were alone, she heaved a deep sigh, collapsing on her chair. “I've never been so

scared as | was today. That was so close.” She murmured.

“So. Miriam is Lyla’s mother indeed?” | chuckled, nodding my head. “It’s not hard to see. They're alike in lots of

ways. I'll ask Lenny to cto you later. Tell him what the Priestesses will need for the Harvest Moon Festival.

I've got to go now. They need me.”

She nodded, and | slipped out of the room, practically chasing Lyla’s scent.

| finally caught up with her at the door to her room.