The Alpha's Fated Outcast: Rise Of The Moonsinger. - Chapter 209

Chapter 209: Whispers and losses…
Lyla

The road to the Moon Temple at Golden Gates Pack was quiet, broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves in the soft breeze. I was at the back of a cab driving towards the pack, although, I wasn’t in the right state of mind because I had barely slept the night before and my brain was hot from overthinking.

Right now, I only wanted to leave Blue Ridge, leave this entire world behind and disappear only… a small smile settled on my lips. Ramsey!

He seemed like the silver lining to whatever I was going through. We didn’t have the chance to see one last time before he left Blue Ridge yesterday but we’ve been communicating. For the first time, it felt easy – almost as if there was no break between us.

I felt like I’d been with him my entire life. Our conversations were so natural. I found myself opening up to him, sharing things I wouldn’t tell anyone on an ordinary day, and did I mention he’s a listener?

Aside from that, I still couldn’t get past what happened yesterday. First of all, Nathan had refused to see me. Beta Jeremy – Nathan’s father had been kind enough to let me pass through the gates into the pack house.

All attempts to see Nathan after that proved abortive. His refusal to see me gnawed at me until it became an ache in my chest, I couldn’t shake. Nathan has never turned me away. Not even when we quarrel.

I had tried reasoning with the warriors on duty to let me see him, even pleading but the instructions had been crystal – clear.

“When I’m ready to see you, I’ll reach out,” was the only response I’d received. It stung more than I cared to admit. After trying for the tenth time yesterday to gain access to his office, I had given up. I know enough to know when a man doesn’t want you and I didn’t want to keep forcing myself on him.

But now, I was on my way to Golden Gates to collect Nanny’s things. A message had come from the keeper at the holding cells that she needed fresh clothes.

Finally, I arrived at the Moon Temple, with a sense of trepidation. The last time I was here, I had caused a scene. Though I do not regret confronting Nanny, I just wished I had contained my outburst. Looking back now, I felt like I had acted like a child throwing her first tantrum.

As I walked through the corridors of the Temple, I noticed the curious stares of the priestesses milling about the grounds. They were whispering behind cupped hands and speaking in hushed tones as their glances lingered on me, following my every move.

Most of them, especially the older priestesses, didn’t bother to hide their curiosity. Ignoring, them, I continued walking, until I found Terra – Nanny’s friend.

I had called her beforehand to inform her that I was coming. Terra was at the entrance of the residential gates waiting for me, she had a known smile on her face, as if she noticed that I was not comfortable with the stress.

“Don’t mind them,” she said quietly, gesturing subtly with her head to the gossiping priestesses. “They’re still processing and recovering from what happened the other day.”

A wave of guilt washed over me as my cheeks burned with embarrassment. “I’m so sorry about that,” I mumbled lowering my gaze.

“Don’t apologize dear,” Terra reached out for my hand, gripping my hand comfortingly. “More than anyone, I understand and I know and have seen what it means to wake up one day and discover that life you’ve known, isn’t what you thought it was. But whether we like it or not, Life has a way of turning upside down when you least expect it. I know that better than most.”

I nodded, thankful for her understanding but I was too tired to respond. “I’m here to pick up, Nanny’s things,” I said after a moment.

Her brows lifted in surprise. “Why? What’s going on? Why didn’t she come herself? Is everything alright?”

I stared at Terra, realizing that her gaze on me felt like a magnifying lens, coupled with what Nanny once told me about her. She could read someone’s thoughts when it’s a lie and I didn’t want to lie to her.

Finally, I forced a smile. I didn’t want to tell her about Nanny’s arrest and all. “Don’t worry, Nanny will explain everything when she gets the chance.”

Terra studied me for a moment, then nodded. She seemed to have accepted my explanation. “Alright, come with me,” she said.

I followed her for a few minutes as we walked deeper into the residential area, until we led to a room at the edge of the area, with Nanny’s name boldly written at the door post.

“We’re here!” Terra announced brightly. “This is Miriam’s sanctuary,” she said softly.

The door wasn’t locked, so she pushed in, ushering me in before getting in beside me. The room was small and modest. I pushed past Terral, my eyes searching for her wardrobe. I noticed, Terra hovering in the background as if she wanted to tell me something but she didn’t know how to start.

After she hovered for a few minutes more, she cleared her throat.

I turned immediately, bracing myself for a speech. “Lyla,” she started. “I am not going to take sides neither do I think I am worthy enough to talk to you about things like this but as Miriam’s friend, I think I should be able to tell you everything about her…”

She paused.

“Miriam is an extraordinary woman. She’s talented, more talented than anyone I’ve met ever. She rose to the ranks of a Moon Devotee, the position next to the High Priestess before she turned Eighteen, not to mention that she was chosen by the Moon Goddess as the next High Priestess…”

“Really?” my eyes widened with surprise. “Nanny?”

“Yes!” Terra laughed. She was perfect, Lyla. Everyone wanted to be like her and you’d think with everything that she ever enjoyed and the privileges she would let it get to her head but to everyone she was just Miriam and she’s always had this… habit of putting others first…”

“Justifying putting me in the dark all these years is no excuse, Terra. She has every opportunity to tell me.”

“And let you go through the terror of knowing that you’re a bastard? Lyla, you may not know this but your mother sacrificed a lot to be with you and I know she’s not perfect but Miriam thinks for everyone. She always wants to shield everyone from their pain. Even if it means carrying it herself. She just wanted you to have a normal life without her constituting pain to you. She was okay with you calling another woman mother…”

“She’s my mother,” my voice cracked. “She cannot constitute pain to me. Fine, if she didn’t want to tell me as a child or a preteen, she could have said something when I became a teen. I spent my entire life trying to measure up, to be the perfect daughter… if I had known, I wouldn’t have bothered trying to please my so-called mother and my father.”

Terra nodded. “I know but you have to find a place in your heart to forgive her. At least you cannot deny she wasn’t good to you?”

I nodded. “She was my mom, Terra. She loved me so much and I know this. I just wish…”

“Don’t rush it, Lyla. She’s hurting badly too. She doesn’t say it but I know. Miriam has been putting on a brave face for the longest time and she blames herself for everything that’s been happening to her. I know it’s too much to ask but she needs closure from at least one person and if it’ll be you, it’s the perfect solution. She won’t need to bother about anyone else.”

I nodded silently but said nothing.

As Terra left, I turned my attention to the task at hand. I found an overnight bag in her closet nd started packing her belonging into the bag.

As I went through her clothes in the wardrobe, my hands hit something. I reached for it surprised to see a small bottle of pills. I picked it up, wondering what Nanny was taking medicine for.

When I brought the bottle to light, to read it properly, the label on the bottle read: Antidepressants. My heart sank as I stared at the bottle. Beside the bottle was a prescription. I picked it up too, noticing it was dated two years and there seemed like several follow-ups.s

When did all of these appointments happen? Why hadn’t she said anything?

As I returned the bottle to where I took it, I spotted something else – a photograph tucked inside a drawer. It was old and slightly worn but it was a picture of my father, when he was younger. There was another picture but this time, it was her and Beta Jeremy.

They both looked younger.

My mind raced, trying to piece the puzzle when suddenly a sharp cry filled the air. Intitally, I tried to ignore it convinced it was nothing. But the cry came again. I rushed out of the room, stopping with shock when I saw the chaos in the courtyard.

The priestesses were rolling on the ground, crying profusely. The whole place was filled with grief.

I scanned the crowd and spotted Terra, her face streaked with tears. I hurried over to her.

“What’s going on?”

Terra turned to me, she had a devasted expression on her face. “Mother Liora,” she whispered. “She’s passed on.”