The Alpha's Fated Outcast: Rise Of The Moonsinger. - Chapter 167

Chapter 167: The forever I dream of…

Lyla

“I missed you,” I murmured to Nathan for maybe the thousandth time since he arrived, placing my head gently on his shoulders. I hadn’t realized how much I missed him until now.

“I missed you more,” he replied, squeezing my hand gently. “You look beautiful as always and…” he paused for a minute, running his eyes the length of my body. “Different—but in a good way. Did I miss out on anything? I’m sure you’ve been busy, too.”

“I didn’t change,” I said quickly, steering the topic of my physical appearance. Since Nymeris manifested herself to me, I’ve gotten many compliments about my appearance. Although, I haven’t felt Nymeris for a few days now, but I wanted to attribute it to the stress that came with all the Harvest Moon Festival.

The first thing I would do as soon as I go back to Blue Ridge was to learn everything I need to about having a wolf. Learn everything I’m supposed to learn about my wolf. I was dying to run through the forest with the moon shining brightly above us and the wind in my fur…

“And yes, I’ve. Been busy,” I continued, grinning. “But it’s been good. I enjoy working, the apprentices are doing great too, and everything’s on track for the festival.”

He smiled. “I’m so proud of you, Lyla. Every day… and I’m lucky that a few months from now, we’ll be together forever—hopefully.”

I smiled. “I can’t wait.”

We continued walking, talking and trying to catch up with lots of things. I noticed it was just my sister Clarissa walking a distance behind us, but I didn’t want to think too much of it. I wanted to ask about my mother and all, but still; I was afraid I would ruin the mood. Perhaps later.

Moreso, I felt a lightness in my heart that I hadn’t felt in weeks, and I knew it was because Nathan was here.

As we neared the central square, I noticed Nanny was watching us from a distance. Her expression was unreadable, but I waved to her like a small child, earning a sad smile in return. Nanny has been acting strange for some days now.

I would wake up to find her watching me intently by my bedside; most times, her eyes were swollen with unshed tears; at other times, I saw sadness in them. All attempts to find out what could be the problem always end in the same thing… silence on her part.

After the little details I gathered here and there from the whispers of the other priestesses, it seemed Nanny had left the Moon Temple—ran away—would be a perfect word. She was next in line to the High Priestess but suddenly ran away one morning and only turned up recently.

However, no one seem to know why she ran away.

I realized for maybe the millionth time again that there was not much I knew about her. We’ve spent the better part of our life together, catering to my needs, and making sure my pheromones do not hinder my everyday life.

Nanny has sacrificed so much for me… much more than all the people in my life put together and the fact that she had a lot going on with her and I’m unable to help her hurt me more than anything.

“What’s on your mind?” Nathan asked suddenly, noticing my momentary distraction.

“Nanny,” I sighed. “She’s been… different lately. I don’t know how to explain it. She’s still herself, but sometimes, I feel there’s something she’s not telling me. I don’t know… I’m just feeling like a sheep backed to a corner. I think I can handle a lot of things now, but no one wants to tell me anything and the fact that Nanny is still-tight lipped hurts even more.”

Nathan frowned slightly. “Have you asked her about it?”

I shook my head. “I tried—subtly — but I don’t want to push her. I feel she’s ashamed of opening up to me and I get it… it’s difficult to talk about certain parts of your life you wish never happened. She’s always been there for me and I want to trust her. If there’s something I need to know, she’ll tell me when the time is right.”

Nathan nodded, though he looked thoughtful. “Sometimes, people keep secrets with good intentions, Ly.” But they can still hurt when they come to light.”

I glanced at him, sensing a deeper meaning in his words. “Is there something you’re not telling me?”

He smiled softly, leaning down to kiss my forehead. “Nothing you need to worry about right now.”

I didn’t press further, choosing to trust him. Together, we continued towards their lodgings.

As soon as we entered the room, he pinned me to the wall, sliding his hand under my dress, rough and unapologetic. Catching my eyes, he smirked when he saw the embarrassed look on my face.

“You were waiting for this, weren’t you? Now I’m here, we can practice all those things you’d say to me on the phone.”

“Well…” I swallowed hard, managing a nervous smile, “I didn’t think…”

The words barely left my mouth when his lips claimed mine. An instant rush of energy pools all over my body as he starts to ravage my lips. His mouth left mine, trailing wet kisses down my throat, sucking on it. He drags hungry kisses to the space in between my breasts and then down to my stomach.

“Nathan…” I gasped, taking in shaky breaths. “I can’t. Please, I can’t… please.”

“What?” he pushes away from me, panting. “Why? I want you, Lyla… please…”

I leave his arm, tugging at my dress that had ridden up during his exploration. “I can’t, Nath, until the Moon Festival is over. I can’t be with a man. The High Priestess told me.”

“What?” his face fell. “That’s cruel, I mean… it’s not like you’re a sigma or something. Why would they subject you to something like that?”

As I opened my mouth to reply, a knock sounded on the door. Before Nathan could respond, the door opened and Clarissa walked in—let me rephrase that.

She sauntered in like she owned the place, like it was normal.

Her gaze flitted from me to Nathan and then back to Nathan, practically ignoring me. “Alpha Nathan, can I talk to you for a moment? It’ll be real quick, I promise.”

Nathan shifted uncomfortably, reaching for my hand as if he needed the extra layer of security. “Can’t it wait? I just…”

“It cannot,” she said pointedly.

“I know I am not too small for you not to have noticed me,” I tried not to show the anger coursing through me in my voice. “I was here first, didn’t you see? You can’t just come in and demand his attention without considering what he was doing first. Nathan,” I turned to him. “What’s the meaning of this?”

“I’m sorry,” Nathan said hurriedly, trying to calm me. “Just go, we’ll talk about whatever it is you want later, okay?”

“No, I won’t!” Clarissa dropped onto the bed, crossing her legs. “If anyone should leave, then it’s her and not me. I want to talk to you. Besides, I guess she doesn’t know yet? That would explain why she’s giving me this attitude.”

“Clarissa,” Nathan warned, “I told you to stay out of it.”

“Know what?” I turned to Nathan, already feeling riled up. “What am I supposed to know?”

“It’s nothing consequential, darling. I promise I’ll tell you, but you just have to calm down, okay?” Nathan said.

“I am calm,” I laughed dryly. “Don’t I look calm enough to you? I just need to know what is going on, but first, let her leave and I mean it. How can she come in here and disrespect me like that? I am older than you, Clarissa. You should show some respect.”

“I only give respect to people who deserve it. There’s nothing about you that demands respect, Lyla. Plus…who do you think you are? Do you think becoming an upgrade of your lowly self would make any difference or change who you are?” Clarissa laughed. “Oh, my poor girl, you have no idea.”

“Are you going to stand here and watch her insult me?” I turned to Nathan, who just stood there with his eyes closed and both of his hand in his hair. “Nathan?”

“Lyla, please!” he turned to me with a pleading gaze. “I just need you to trust me this time around, okay? I’ll explain everything and Clarissa, leave…now!”

“I won’t!” she answered, flashing him a defiant gaze. “The only person who shouldn’t be here is her and no one else. So, nope… I won’t be leaving. Ask her to leave instead.”

My eyes widened with shock. I stalked over to where she was, not thinking through my actions. I reached for the neck of her blouse, dragging her to her feet.

“What did you just say?” I demanded.

“I said, you’re the intruder. If anyone should leave, it should be you and not me,” Clarissa repeated.

“We’re dating,” I fumed. “And we plan on taking things to the next level.”

“Forget about it, dear!” Clarissa snickered. “There’s no next level for you and him.”

“Clarissa…” Nathan’s warning growl came again.

“And why is that?” I challenged. “You have a problem with that?”

“Nope!” Clarissa shook her head. “Because I’ll be marrying him instead, and not you, Lyla.”