The Alpha's Fated Outcast: Rise Of The Moonsinger. - Chapter 210

Chapter 210: Unspoken tensions…
Lyla

The journey back to Blue Ridge was quieter than I had anticipated.

I was still thinking of Mother Liora’s death. Though I’ve spent time with her for a short while, she was amazing. Always warm, understanding and wise. Despite all her knowledge and wisdom as a high priestess she was always casual and treated everyone with respect.

But I was more worried for Nanny. How would she take the news of Mother Liora’s passing? I grew up with Nanny, who always told me about Mother Liora and how fond they were of each other. Watching them together at White Moon pack – the way they related to each other, constantly bickering like age mates, the way Nanny takes care of her and the how Mother Liora related with her too.

It was different from the way she related to other priestesses. You could feel the love radiating in the way she talks to Nanny and everyone seemed to be used to both of them acting like mother and daughter. I even heard most of the priestesses joke about how Mother Liora would kill for Nanny.

Terra, before I left the Moon Temple had been so worried about how Nanny would take the news of Mother Liora’s passing and wanted to come with me but I had dissuaded her. I didn’t want anyone to know about the chaos going on in our lives, especially as Nanny wasn’t here.

Finally, I arrived at Blue Ridge. When I walked through the gates to the pack house, I was surprised to see that the whole place was alive with activity. Servants bustled about. Most of them were laden with supplies while others shouted orders to one another. It was as if they were preparing for an event.

I stood for a while, watching them move all over the place and wondering what was happening. I wanted to ask one of the omegas who greeted me but I decided against it. It wasn’t my business.

Carrying Nanny’s clothes, I started in the direction of the holding cells. As I walked past the Beta House, I noticed Beta Jeremy – Nathan’s father sitting quietly in the back garden. He was staring into space with a thoughtful expression on his face.

I stood there for a moment as my mind flickered back to the memory of him and Nanny together in that photo. They not only looked younger but they were both smiling at each other and not the camera. It felt like they were mates in the picture.

Aside from that, there has always been friction with both of them. Even as a teen, I remember they only addressed each other politely. Nanny was free-spirited and everyone loved her, no matter what rank or position they held because of that, she was casual to most people but not to Beta Jeremy.

They treated each other so formally. Even the day I had returned to Blue Ridge, I remembered how he had frequently inquired about Nanny – always asking me questions like if she was going to come.

I wanted to ask him about the picture, about the tension between him and Nanny, about everything but knowing who he is, he might not say two words to me. Beta Jeremy had always had a personality that made him seem aloof – almost unbothered all the time.

The entire pack might be burning down, practically razing with fire and there’ll be no reaction from him. He barely showed emotions and I remember my father always saying that’s because he had a lot going on in his head and internalised everything.

Sighing, I decided to leave him and continue towards the Holding cell when his deep voice called out, startling me.

“Have you had your fill of staring at me?”

I turned to find him standing, his eyes were fixed on me.

“I…” I laughed nervously. “I didn’t mean to be sneaky. It’s just that you looked so… thoughtful. I’ll be on my way.”

He didn’t smile but his eyes flickered with amusement for a brief second. “I’ve been waiting for you, Lyla.”

I blinked in surprise. “Waiting for me? Why?”

“There are thousands of places I’d rather be than to be in a garden. C’mon, let’s go,” he motioned for me to follow him.

I wanted to question him but the way he was acting, I didn’t think he would answer any question. We walked in the direction of the Beta house silently. When we entered the living room, my breath caught in her throat.

Nanny was there, pacing, biting her nails – one of the signs she was super anxious.

“Nanny!” I called out with joy and relief.

Nanny turned towards me, her eyes lighting up as she rushed to where I was, pulling me into a tight hug. “Lyla, my sweet girl,” she whispered in my hair with a shaky voice.

“I’ve been so worried about you,” she said when she pulled back. Cupping my face, with tears glistening in her eyes. “I’m so sorry, I couldn’t be here for you.”

I knew she was talking about the wedding disaster from a few days ago. I placed my hands over hers, smiling softly.

“It’s okay, Nan. I’m fine. Really.”

I wanted to tell her how relieved I was and also tell her about Ramsey but Beta Jeremy was still in the room and didn’t seem like he would be leaving any moment.

Nanny guided me to a couch and we both sat down. She held my hands, brushing strays of hair from my face. The last time we had met, I was screaming and swearing at her. To think that everything just felt as normal as it was before.

I lowered my gaze in shame, cursing inwardly and wishing I hadn’t overreacted like I did. From the corner of my eyes, I saw Beta Jeremy cross the room to the bar and settle on one of the stools there.

Why wasn’t he leaving?

“When did you get released?” I asked.

Nanny frowned. “What are you talking about, dear?”

I glanced back at Jeremy who was now pouring himself a drink from a bottle. “Clarissa told me Nathan had thrown you into the Holding cells because you were causing trouble in the pack.”

She laughed softly, though there was a hint of bitterness in her voice. “I was causing trouble, yes,” she admitted. “But Nathan didn’t throw me into the cells. He had me confined here instead.”

“Really?” Relief washed over me.

Then why hadn’t Nathan just seen me or told me so? I had feared the worst.

I smiled, reaching for the bag I’d come with. “I brought you some changes of clothes. I got a message from a pack warrior this morning, requesting it.”

Nanny glanced at Beta Jeremy at the bar and a meaningful look passed between them – a look I didn’t miss even though Nanny’s expression had been guarded.

Lowering my voice, I leaned closer to her. “What’s he doing here?”

Nanny chuckled, her eyes darting to Jeremy again before settling back on me. “Nathan delegated him to watch me,” she replied in a resigned tone. “He even banned me from leaving Blue Ridge. So, I’ll be stuck here for a while.”

I frowned. “Do you know why?”

Nanny shook her head. “I wish I knew.”

I nodded and an awkward silence passed between us. I bit my lip, debating whether to bring up the pictures I had seen and those bottles of pills too but before I could speak, Nanny broke the silence.

“How are the women taking Mother Liora’s death?”

The abrupt change in topic startled me, and for a moment, I couldn’t find my voice.

“They’re devasted,” I managed to say. “Some were weeping uncontrollably, others couldn’t even stand. I’ve never seen so many people show that amount of sadness. I had to leave as quickly as I could because I was a few seconds away from joining them in mourning.”

Nanny nods but doesn’t say anything else.

I leaned forward, still reeling with shock. “But how do you know about Mother Liora’s death? Did Terra call you already? She wanted to come here with me but I stopped her.”

She chuckled dryly, her fingers twitching as if she was fighting the urge to fidget. “A High Priestess always sees the death of her predecerssor. It’s part of the bond we share and in the last few months, I was getting her visions – that’s one of the ways I knew too. But then…”

She paused, as if gathering her thoughts. “Mother Liora was supposed to pass during the Harvest Moon Festival – right on the day of the Harvest Moon Ceremony, I saw it myself but somehow, I was able to pull her back in time.”