The Alpha’s Fated Outcast: Rise Of The Moonsinger

Clarissa

I continued to tend to Lyla's wounds, carefully cleaning the dried blood from her face. The uneasy truce between us felt fragile, like glass that might shatter at the slightest pressure. Years of rivalry don't simply vanish in a single night, no matter how dire the circumstances.

As I worked, Lyla's eyes suddenly locked on mine with an intensity that made me pause.

"There's life growing inside you," she said quietly.

I avoided her gaze, setting aside the bloodied cloth and rising to my feet. Crossing the room to the small window, I peered out at the darkness, giving her my back.

"Clarissa," Lyla insisted, following me despite her injuries. "I can feel it. You're pregnant."

I rolled my eyes, turning to face her. "I know that," I scoffed. "What woman wouldn't know she's pregnant with her own child?"

The confirmation seemed to stun her into momentary silence. I'd planned to keep this secret as long as possible, especially from Lyla. But something about her now—a certain gentleness that hadn't been there before—made the truth spill out.

"Does Nathan know?" she asked.

I shook my head. "No. And I'd prefer to keep it that way for now."

"Is that why you're helping me? Because of the baby?"

"I'm helping you because—" I began, but suddenly, everything around me faded.

Clarissa, where are you? Nathan's voice filled my mind. You missed the strategy meeting. Return to the pack house immediately.

The force of his mind-link was stronger than usual, almost painful. There was something different about it—an undercurrent of darkness that had never been present before.

I went for a run in the forest. I just wanted to clear my head, I replied, trying to keep my thoughts controlled. Knowing who Nathan is, if he senses the weirdest change in my response, he will definitely know that something is up. I lost track of time. I'll be back soon.

There was a pause, long enough to make my heart race with fear.

See that you are. We have preparations to complete.noveldrama

The connection broke, leaving me dizzy. When I focused again, Lyla was watching me with concern.

"That was Nathan," I said, not bothering to explain how she already knew. "He's looking for me."

"What did he say?" Lyla asked, her voice tense.

"Nothing specific. Just that I missed a meeting and need to return." I moved quickly around the shelter, gathering my things. "I need to go back before he gets suspicious."

"Clarissa, it's not safe," Lyla protested. "If he realizes you helped me—"

"He won't," I cut her off. "I know how to handle Nathan."

"This isn't just Nathan anymore," she reminded me. "It's Xander, too. He's dangerous in ways you can't imagine."

I paused, my hand on the door. "I'll be careful. I'll return as soon as possible. I'll bring food and medicine" I hesitated, then added, "Stay hidden. Don't try to leave on your own—you're too weak."

Lyla's expression was skeptical, but she nodded. "Be careful," she said again.

"I always am," I replied, slipping out into the night.

The forest was eerily quiet as I made my way back toward the pack house. Every shadow seemed to harbor a threat, and every rustle of leaves made me jump. I'd grown up in these woods, but tonight, they felt alien.

Nathan was waiting for me on the back porch, his tall figure silhouetted against the light from inside. Even from a distance, I could sense something was wrong. His posture was too rigid, his aura too dark.

Was he or Xander the father of my child? The mere thought that I could be carrying the child of the Dark One sent a warm thrill through me. I didn't know whether I should be happy or sad about it.

The more I looked at it, the more it seemed highly unlikely that it was the Dark One in Nathan, especially since he has always been like that. Maybe Lyla was confusing this evil side of Nathan with the Dark One. A wicked side I've always known—something I was used to.

"Where were you really?" he asked as I approached, his voice deceptively calm.

"I told you, I went for a run," I replied, keeping my tone light. "Needed to clear my head. Things have been...intense lately."

Nathan studied me. For a moment, I thought I saw a flicker of blue in his eyes—a color that wasn't his.

"You smell different," he said finally.

My heart nearly stopped. Could he smell Lyla on me? No way, she wasn't on her heat, so that was likely impossible. Or worse, had his enhanced senses detected my pregnancy already?

I forced a laugh. "I fell during my run. Got pretty muddy. I should probably shower."

I moved to step past him, but his hand shot out, gripping my arm with bruising force.

"What were you doing at your father's private study? How did you know where it was? Even your mother has no idea that private study exists in the pack house."

I shook his hand off me. "This is my first time hearing it's a private study. My father has shown me there once or twice."

"Did you follow us? What did you hear?" he continued, ignoring what I had said.

"Follow you and who?" I feigned ignorance. "I don't have time for…"

"The security cam saw you going in that direction, but do you know what is funnier? I didn't see you leave."

"Did the security show me entering the so-called private study?" I gave him a levelled stare. "In case you have forgotten, Nathan, this is my home, the grounds, the nooks and the crannies, every part of it. I can choose to go wherever I wish to go. You have no jurisdiction over my movements."

He chuckled dryly. "If I find out you're lying to me, Clarissa," he said softly, "there will be severe consequences."

For the first time in my life, I was truly afraid of Nathan. Not because of what he said, but because of the emptiness behind his eyes as he said it. This wasn't the man I knew—the one who, despite his flaws, had always treated me with a certain respect, even tenderness. It didn't equal his care for Lyla, but… it was sufficient, and I was content.

"I understand," I managed to say.

His grip loosened, and he stepped aside to let me pass. "The meeting you missed," he said as I reached the door. "We've decided to change the date. The attack begins tomorrow at dawn."

I froze. "So soon?"

"Is that a problem?" His voice had taken on that dangerous edge again.

"No," I said quickly. "I was just surprised."

"Be ready. I need everyone in position before sunrise."

I nodded and hurried inside, my mind racing. Tomorrow at dawn. There was no time left. I needed to get back to Lyla, warn her, and figure out a plan. But first, I needed supplies—food, medicine, and weapons if I could get them.

Moving through the pack house, I gathered what I could without drawing attention. Most of the pack members were busy with their own preparations, barely sparing me a glance. The tension in the air was so real that it was as if everyone sensed something big was about to happen, though few knew the whole truth.

I packed a bag in my room with essentials, adding the small first aid kit I kept under my bed. As I worked, my hand unconsciously moved to my stomach. Nathan's child was growing inside me even as the world around us descended into chaos.

I'd never planned on becoming a mother, especially not like this. Nathan and I had been a thing that should never have happened—he had become mate with me because he was forced. So it was convenient, complicated. Or so I'd thought. Now, I was carrying his heir, a child who might never know its father if Lyla's claims about Xander were true.

The realization brought a fierce protectiveness I'd never felt before. This child deserved a chance—a real one, not a life ruled by whatever dark entity had taken hold of Nathan.

Decision made, I finished packing and slipped back out of my room. For a moment, I contemplated going to my mother, but it would take a lot of time, and I knew she'd be able to take care of herself. The hallway was clear, but as I approached the back door, voices made me pause.

"—searched the entire eastern side. No sign of her," someone was saying. The voice sounded familiar. I realized it was Nathan's assistant. He was also his Beta but was on probation.

"Expand the search. She can't have gotten far in her condition." Nathan's voice was cold, "I want her found by morning."

"And if we find her?" his assistant asked.

There was a pause. "Bring her to me. Alive, if possible. Injured but alive."

My blood ran cold. They were looking for Lyla and weren't far from finding her. I needed to get back to the shelter immediately.

I waited until I heard them move away, then slipped out the back door, sticking to the shadows. The forest was darker now, clouds obscuring the moon. I moved as quickly as I dared; the bag was heavy on my shoulder.

When I finally reached the shelter, something felt wrong. The door was slightly ajar, a dim light spilling out. I approached cautiously, one hand on the knife in my pocket.

"Lyla?" I called softly, pushing the door open.

The shelter was empty.