The Alpha's Fated Outcast: Rise Of The Moonsinger. - Chapter 180

Chapter 180: The proposal…

Lyla

Everyone on the Festival grounds parted like a wave, creating a path as Nathan approached me, guiding the wooden platform that held the proposal. Around us, people murmured, pointing excitedly at us.

My heart pounded in my chest as he drew closer. His usual confidence was replaced by an endearing nervousness that made him look younger and more vulnerable. He carried a bouquet of night-blooming jasmine, the rarest of flowers you’d ever see in our world.

I can’t believe he remembered. Of course he had. We’d spent countless nights in the garden as teenagers, where I’d told him how the flowers reminded me of the sweet memories of my childhood.

Finally, the platform rolled to a stop and Nathan stepped off as he came to stand directly before me. The bouquet trembled slightly in his hands as he extended it toward me.

“For you,” he said, in a tone softer than I’d ever heard.

I accepted the flowers, burying my nose in it. He inhaled deeply, his gaze still holding mine. Then he lowered himself onto one knee. Gasps rippled through the crowd, but my world had narrowed to just the two of us.

“Lyla,” he began, his voice was steady despite the nervous smile he flashed me. “I know we agreed to keep our relationship private, but I can’t contain my heart any longer. Every day, I wake up thinking of you. Every night, I dream of our future together and I can’t hold it in anymore. Not when every fibre of my being screams, you’re my mate.”

My knees weakened at the sincerity in his tone, so much so that I was trembling.

“I’ve dreamed of you every day…” he continued “… of what it would be like to wake up beside you, to share my life with you, to be the one you turn to in everything. I know it’s not perfect, but Lyla, I don’t want it any other way. You’re my heart, my soul, my everything.”

Tears welled in my eyes as my grip tightened on the bouquet.

“As my mate, you would never know a day without love, without protection, without absolute devotion,” his voice grew stronger, more certain with each word. “I’ve seen your strength, your kindness, your fierce spirit. I’ve watched you overcome every challenge fate has thrown at you, and I fall more in love with you each time.”

He reached into his pocket, producing a small wooden box carved with the same ancient symbols as the proposal platform. “I promise you, Lyla, that I will never hurt you or break your trust. I will never let you face your battles alone. I will cherish every moment we have together, whether in joy or hardship. So please…”

He flipped open the box to reveal a ring that sparkled like the Harvest Moon above us. Holding it towards me, his eyes locked on mine.

“Please, give me your heart, as I give you mine. Be my mate, my partner, my everything.”

My lips parted, but no words came. My emotions were all over the place — joy, disbelief, and an overwhelming sense of love for the man before me. I think I may have fallen in love with Nathan.

I know how devastated I had been when Clarissa had said I wouldn’t marry him. It had taken him several assurances from both him and Clarissa in the end to assure me it was just a tease. Even then, my heart had been uneasy.

But with this proposal, every seed of doubt had disappeared.

Slowly, I nodded, as tears spilt freely down my cheeks as I extended my trembling hand toward him.

“Yes,” I whispered, then louder. “Yes, Nathan! I will.”

The crowd erupted in cheers as Nathan slipped the ring onto my finger. Rising to his feet, he cupped my face in his hands, his touch as gentle as a summer breeze. Our eyes met, and in that moment, nothing else mattered.

He leaned in, and our lips met in a passionate kiss. The intensity of our kiss blurred the world around us, conveying everything we felt. The crowd’s cheers and claps became a distant hum as we melted into each other.

When we finally pulled apart, Nathan rested his forehead against mine. His smile was so wide it lit up his entire face. I smiled back, my cheeks were stained with tears but my heart was fuller than it had ever been.

A few Alphas came to congratulate us, alongside other pack members. I tried to keep up with congratulatory words and warm embraces from all the well-wishers.

But then, amid all the joy, something tugged at me. A half-remembered moment from just before Nathan’s arrival. Ramsey—he had been about to say something. I turned toward the stage, expecting to see him waiting his turn to speak.

But it was empty.

“Hey!” Nathan murmured in my ears, snaking his hand around my waist. Immediately, I froze. I still haven’t gotten used to his touch. “I bought your favourite wine. We could take the celebration to my room.”

As he spoke, he nuzzled my neck, pressing tiny open-mouthed kisses. I tried not to squirm at the meaning of his words. In our world, an engagement is as good as getting married. And I know we will not stop at drinking just wine in his room.

“Sure thing, dear,” I smiled woodenly. “I still need to ask Mother Liora if she…”

“She doesn’t,” he stopped me halfway. “I already asked her.”

“Oh!” I swallowed hard. I didn’t have any other excuse. I allowed him to lead me toward the pack house.

Just as we almost left the festival grounds, Nanny called out to me. I turned to her immediately, glad that she was saving me and also feeling a wave of guilt at what happened between her and Nymeris.

“Can you give me a few seconds with her?” she pleaded with Nathan, who didn’t look pleased.

For a moment, I thought he would refuse, but he simply nodded and continued towards the pack house. Alone, I and Nanny looked at every other place except at each other. Finally, she cleared her throat.

“Congratulations dear,” she said, trying to sound happy. “Are you happy about your engagement?”

“If I wasn’t, I wouldn’t have accepted it,” I mumbled. “Don’t worry, Nan.”

Another round of silence ensued. I decided I was going to apologize for hiding my wolf away from her.

“I’m so sorry for not…”

“I’m sorry…”

Both of us started speaking at the same time. Finally, our gazes met, and we burst into laughter.

“You first,” Nanny nudged me.

I shook my head. “No, you first,” I insisted.

She nodded and took a deep breath. “I’m sorry for using the pearl on you. Honestly, I didn’t do it on purpose. I thought I could protect you, but I was wrong. I’m so sorry about that.”

I nodded. “I am sorry too. I should have told you. Is she that dangerous?” I asked.

She stared at me for a few seconds and reached for my hands, pressing it on her lips. “It helped us, that’s what matters. Saved the priestesses from the attack, saved the pack… you’re amazing. You don’t need to concern yourself with the negative. What’s her name, by the way?”

She asked, changing the topic.

“Nymeris!” I said with a bright smile. “She’s a good wolf, Nan. She was just pissed that she’s been kept under lock all these years.”

Nanny nodded. “Don’t worry, we’ll talk about all of that soon. You should go and meet Nathan, else he might have me punished, but before you leave…” she reached for my palm and pressed something into it.

I wanted to open it and check, but she shook her head and whispered. “Not here?”

“Why?” I whispered back. “What is it?”

An embarrassed blush rose to her cheek. “In case you and him get intimate tonight, you should use that. It’s good. We wouldn’t want a baby in the way before the official mating ceremony.”

It was my turn to blush now. “I don’t think…”

I didn’t finish the rest of the words as Nanny was staring at me pointedly. “He’s not like that, Nan. He said we’ll just drink wine.”

“And you’ll be the wine glass, my dear Lyla,” she chuckled. “Have you seen the look in his eyes? That man is ready to pounce on you. Fun fact, a lot of babies are made during the Harvest Moon. It turns everyone into a horny beast.”

I blushed to my root again. I have never imagined lying naked in that way with Nathan.

“It’s going to be awkward,” I sighed. “Can’t you help me out? At least for tonight. I’m not mentally prepared for this.”

Nanny stared at me for a few seconds before sighing. “I can’t believe this, giving you permission to go be with a man. When did you grow, Lyla?”

“Yesterday,” I smirked. “I’m out of practice. I heard Alphas are big… do you think he’ll fit in?”

Nanny blushed crimson. “How am I supposed to know? I haven’t been with him.”

“What?” I scrunched my brows, giving her a weird look. “That’s not what I mean. Of course, you haven’t, but you always have men over every weekend…” she tried to protest, but I raised my index finger at her. “Don’t lie, Nan…for a middle-aged woman, you’re too active. No wonder you left the Moon Temple. Wanted to explore life a bit, right?”