The Alpha's Fated Outcast: Rise Of The Moonsinger. - Chapter 205

Chapter 205: Confrontations and confessions…
Nathan

I stood motionless, listening to the soft shuffle of her footsteps approach from behind me. I didn’t turn. I hated that she was out here.

Then I felt her fingers brush my shoulders. Her touch was as light as a feather. I turned slowly, my face was a mask of indifference that made her recoil and take a step back.

“I…I didn’t see you in bed,” she stammered, her fingers twisting nervously in front of her see-through nightgown. “I was worried. Are you… are you alright?”

“I’m fine!” I said coldly and turned back to staring into nothing.

She stood there for a minute before I heard her sigh. “Nath, I know a lot has happened but we cannot dwell in the past anymore. Yesterday, I had no idea that I was going to end the day as your mate. Not even in the slightest.”

“And you so conveniently had a wedding dress and a ceremonial gown that is your size and your style hanging around?” I scoffed.

Then I turned to face her, moving towards her like a predator stalking its prey, forcing her to retreat until her back was pressed against the cold metal railing of the balcony. I towered above her easily, pinning her in place with my gaze.

“Let me make something perfectly clear,” I continued coldly. “I will never love you, Clarissa. This marriage? I know it was orchestrated by you and your mom but guess what, it is nothing but a strategic move to protect Lyla. You’re nothing more than a negotiation tool. If I were you, I would never entertain the idea of a perfect marriage with me.”

Her chest heaved as she let out a bitter laugh. Tears simmered in her eyes. “You’re a coward, Nathan. The purest form of cowardice I’ve ever seen,” her voice was growing stronger with each word. “After everything I’ve done to help you, this is how you want to treat me? How much longer will you deny our bond?”

My expression did not waver. But I took a step back, leaning away from her. “I never forced you to prove anything to me, Clarissa and the bond is false. You’re not my fated mate. You chose to do everything you did because you thought it would mean something to me. It doesn’t.”

I paused and leaned against her, “For some reason, you’ve convinced yourself that your actions would change things between us. They don’t. Whatever castles you’re building in your head, keep building them. But don’t expect me to step inside.”

Then I straightened and turned to leave.

But Clarissa’s hands shot out, grabbing my arm. “Even if you hate me, at least give me a child!”

I shook her hands off my arm and turned to face her fully.

“Tonight was supposed to be our wedding night,” she continued, “By morning, if the maids don’t see blood on the sheets, I’ll be the talk of the entire pack. They’ll whisper, they’ll mock me and I won’t be able to bear it. Please, Nathan…”

I stared at her for a moment before I nodded.

“I can take care of that,” I said flatly.

Her eyes lit up with a flicker of hope, but it faded as I walked past her into the bedroom. She followed after me only to stop short when she saw me pouring red wine from a decanter into a glass.

It was the wine set for us yesterday to put us in the mood.

I picked up the glass of wine and walked back to the bed then then dumped the deep red liquid onto the white sheets watching with glee as the wine spread, staining the fabric in a way that mimicked the proof Clarissa wanted.

I turned back to Clarissa who stood frozen in the balcony doorway. “Even if I were drugged or out of my mind. I would never sleep with you. Not by mistake. Not by design. The only woman I ever loved and will ever love, is Lyla.”

I walked toward the bedroom door, eager to put a lot of space between me and her now. With my hand on the handle, I threw over my shoulders. “This arrangement was never about you. Know your place and don’t forget that.”

As I opened the door, Clarissa’s voice rang out, stopping me in my tracks.

“If you walk out that door, Nathan,” she said, a tear rolled down her cheek. “I will expose you. Everything you’ve done – every dark secret, every manipulation, I will tell them all.”

I paused, then slowly turned to face her again. I had a bored expression on my face. “Expose me?” I repeated.

She straightened; her hands were clenched at her sides. “Yes,” she said. “I know everything you’ve done, Nathan. Do you think you’re untouchable? That no one can bring you down? You have underestimated me.”

I laughed, then took a step closer. “Do what you must, Clarissa,” I said in a chilling whisper. “But know this – if you try to cross me, you’ll regret it.”

Fear entered her eyes for a moment but she quickly masked it with a glare. “You think you can scare me? I’m not afraid of you, Nathan.”

“You should be,” I said simply before turning and walking towards the door, hoping I would leave this time around.

Before I could reached the door, Clarissa darted forward, pressing her back against it. Her eyes blazed with desperation as she lifted her chin.

I rolled my eyes. “Can you stop with your antics? It’s getting tiring and boring at the same time.”

“I won’t just expose you for anything,” she said. “I will expose you for all the murders you’ve committed – including the last one.”

I froze for a split second before throwing my head back and laughing – a low, chilling sound that echoed in the dimly lit room. Slowly, I walked towards her, my eyes were gleaming with amusement.

“Go ahead, darling,” I purred. “And which of the murders will you start with, Clarissa? Hmmm? Alpha Darius and his wimpy little friends, perhaps?”

I leaned closer, my breath fanning across her face. “He would have been made an Alpha after his father the same time I was appointed but they had it coming, you know. At that Gala night, you weren’t there, Clarissa… I was. You had to see the way those fools mocked and touched Lyla,” my face contorted with rage at the memory. “Even now, thinking about how they dared to lay their hands on her still makes my blood boil. They deserved what they got – just like every other person I’ve dealt with who thought they could cross me or hurt what’s mine.”

She wanted to speak but I silenced her with my hand.

“And let’s face it, they were never going to be held accountable for all their actions. That’s how our world is. They let little boys get away with almost anything just because their fathers are Alphas, Betas, Gammas. I hate injustice…”

“What about my father?” she whispered. “What did he ever do to you, Nathan? He’s been nothing but a good mentor to you. Choose you over his children and made you his heir. He showered you with love, treated you like a son. Why him?”

I shrugged, my lips curling into a half-smile that didn’t reach my eyes. “Ah, your father,” I chuckled. “It’s a long story, Clarissa. One I don’t think you’re ready to hear.”

“You’re a monster,” she hissed.

My smirk widened. “You think so?” I said leaning closer. “Yet you’ve wanted me for the longest time, Clarissa. You rejected your mate to be with me. But let’s be realistic,” I adjusted the strap of her nightgown. “No one would believe you anyway. In fact…” I traced a finger along her jaw. “If you try to accuse me, you’ll only end up indicting yourself too.”

“You’re lying,” she whispered fearfully.

I laughed. “You made the arrangements yourself. Those wolves never met me. You were their henchman and I was in the dungeon for four years. How could I have arranged the hit. Besides, what would your mother do when she discovers that her dear daughter killed her husband and her dear father?”

A sob caught in my throat and my fingers tightened on her jaw, forcing her to look at me. “But we both know you won’t say a word,” I whispered. “Because you love me. You love me so much that you’d die for me. You’ve proven it time and time agaim.”

Tears welled in her eyes but she sniffed them back, glaring at me.

“Just like how you’re ready to die for me because of your obsessive love, that exactly how devoted I am to Lyla. Always have been, always will be.”

I released her, side stepping her as she stumbled forward. I turned and opened the door, finally leaving the room.