The Alpha's Fated Outcast: Rise Of The Moonsinger. - Chapter 220

Chapter 220: The truth revealed…
Lyla

My heart nearly stopped when I saw who entered.

Cassidy Thorne walked into the hall looking as beautiful and perfect as a Luna. I looked down at my already dusty shoes and my clammy hands, not to mention, that I had managed to wipe half of the makeup on my face out of anxiety.

I couldn’t blame her. She had the entire region fighting for her.

First, I felt relief and dread wash over me – the last time I’d seen Cassidy had been during the Harvest Moon Festival, in that room with Xander. He had made her fall or something and honestly when I heard she had been admitted, I was partly happy that she was alive and also, as everywhere has been quiet after that, I thought like me, she had moved on.

For the first time, I regretted not opening up to Ramsey. I could have told him everything and saved myself from this peril. Cassidy could distort the truth to suit her palate and she knows I won’t be able to mention Xander because it’ll sound like a lie and now it might be too late.

I could only watch as she made her way to the witness stand, her elegant dress rustling softly while I prepared myself for the worst.

Immediately, Elder Eldric, Ramsey’s grandfather rose from his seat and came towards the witness stand to Cassidy.

“Cass,” he said gently. “Please recount everything you told your parents earlier,” he urged.

I didn’t miss the fearful glance Cassidy shot toward Ramsey before facing Elder Eldric. When she spoke, her voice was steady and clear. “Lyla did not attempt to murder me.

Gasps filled the room.

I saw a flicker of shock pass through Elder Eldric’s face but he recovered quickly, his expression hardening, clearing his throat.

“My dear, you don’t need to be afraid. We’re here to uncover the truth.” He stepped closer, his voice taking on an endearing tone. “Everyone here is interested in you becoming the right Luna of the White Moon Throne and that is why we’re here to make sure you get the justice you deserve. Don’t worry, we’ll protect you.”

Wow! That was a hard pill to swallow. I felt so jealous but what good will it do? It’s not like I can relate to something like that. I’ve never had an entire community protect me before.

Cassidy nodded. “I know what I’m saying and not under duress to say this either,” her voice softened. “I was in the hospital that day, and still shocked from everything, I must have spoken under the influence of the drugs. When I heard that Lyla was being accused wrongly, I decided to come and make this right. For my sake and conscience. I am sorry for suggesting she tried to murder me. I was wrong”

She inhaled deeply and continued. “During the festival, when I was walking towards the pack house, a man suddenly grabbed me from behind, he had a silver knife with him and threatened to kill me if I didn’t lead him to Lyla.” Her voice grew stronger as she spoke. “The truth is, Lyla saved my life that night. She chased him off.”

The silence in the hall was so profound at this point. The Elders especially those from Ramsey’s pack sat frozen, their expression ranging from disbelief to fury. Her Father, Elder Thorne, had a disappointed look on his face.

“Then how exactly did Lyla, a mere Werewolf, without a wolf chase an armed man when you couldn’t even do that? It doesn’t add up, Cass,” Elder Eldric said.

Cassidy lifted her chin. “With her powers,” she replied without hesitation. “She used her fighting skills and her Moonsinging ability to drive him out of the room. That’s why she wasn’t present when the ceremony began – she was protecting me, protecting all of us.”

“So you’re telling me that man was a threat to the entire pack? Elder Eldric asked.

“I think so!” Cassidy nodded “And enough of the questions, okay? Lyla didn’t attempt to kill me. Let’s leave it at that. What else are you all trying to prove? There’s nothing to prove. Absolutely nothing.”

Another stunned silence followed.

On my part, I was stupefied. Was Cassidy trying to defend me? Was there a hidden agenda behind this? Or was Ramsey involved? What was he getting out of this?

Suddenly, Elder Thorne shot to his feet. His face contorted in fury. “You!” he snarled, pointing at Ramsey. “You’ve bewitched her again. Just as you’ve done all these years! What did my daughter ever do to you except love you? But now, you’ve forced her into protecting that skank beside you.”

“Elder Thorne!” Lenny growled from behind. “Watch your words.”

“Watch my words?” Elder Thorne scoffed. “Fine, I will.” Then he stormed towards the witness box and grabbed Cassidy’s arms roughly. “We’re leaving this farce immediately,” he said when she tried to protest.

But Cassidy did not budge. If anything she remained rooted to the ground, pulling her arm free from her father’s grip.

Ramsey laughed dryly. “Control your emotions, Elder Thorne. If you’re so desperate to leave, don’t worry, you’ll be gone soon enough. Give me a few minutes to settle this issue and move to other pressing needs.”

Then he turned to the entire hall and began to address them.

“First, I’d like to tender a heartfelt apology for not showing up at my supposed wedding a few days ago. First, I didn’t plan for things to happen and I will accept full responsibility for all the damages caused as a result of my absence from the wedding. Also, it’s not Lyla’s fault.”

He paused… as if to let the words sink into their minds.

“I went to find Lyla the night before my wedding because it was the right thing to do. I was tired of denying what we both felt because I wanted to please everyone. I wanted to measure up and uphold our statues by marrying a Lycan but Lyla is my fated mate and I love her so much. I was tired of pinning for her and I refuse to let anyone dictate my fate.”

“Marrying right is not dictating one’s fate!” his grandfather retorted. “The Luna of the White Moon Throne is not chosen because she’s your mate or can satisfy your itch, she’s chosen based on her background, her status, her identity amongst other things. Whether or not she’s your mate is not important.”

“It is to me!” Ramsey replied. “I want to do this right and with the woman I love so much. If anyone…” his eyes swept the room, directly challenging anyone to object. “Wants to oppose our mate bond can go straight to hell”

Gasps and whispers filled the hall again.

His grandfather’s voice was louder. “This is our jurisdiction! You have no right to interfere!”

Ramsey chuckled, shaking his head. “No Right? I’ve said it more than once already – Lyla Woodland is my mate and I love her so much that I will kill anything that upsets her. If you can’t respect anything else, at least respect that and respect our bond.”

A small pause before he continued.

“Now, that we’ve settled this matter. Lyla is not responsible for the White Moon Wedding getting called off. Also, this is an official notice that I am going to be with my mate and I don’t care what any of you thinks. But before that…”

A dangerous smile played across his lips. “I believe it’s time for some changes.”

The Elders exchanged confused glances.

“I was going to charge you all with treason for calling a tribunal without me present but I’ve decided after a lot of thoughts and consultation with my most trusted men, to dissolve the current council of the White Mountain Elders. Effective immediately.”

The hall erupted in outrage. I was still sitting on Ramsey’s seat and I wished to be anywhere else than here right now.

Ramsey stood still, waiting for them to finish complaining. After a few seconds, he held up his hand, silencing them effortlessly.

“Your time is over. You cling to outdated traditions and personal grudges rather than serve the pack. All of you here are deeply rooted in corruption. You’ve all at one point laundered monies meant for the region for your gains. You’ve liaised with the enemy and some of you even went as far as contacting the Dark One to disrupt my government.”

Most of the elders shifted uncomfortably. “Because this is a new chapter for me and we’re all started on a clean slate, I am willing to let go of your wrongs and send you all to retirement instead with the exception of Elder Maya, Elder Jensen and elder Blackwood. The rest of you, thank you for serving the region well and for those who are Lycans to a pack, your replacement will be sent today.”

Several elders jumped to their feet, shouting protests and demanding explanations but Ramsey had already turned away and came to me, reaching for my hand.

When they saw he wanted to speak, they kept quiet.

“If any of you wishes to contest it, feel free but be rest assured, I have a detailed report on everything you’ve been doing from the first day until this moment you were a council member. So, consider this as a clean break!”

His grip was firm on my wirst as he pulled me along with him.

As the doors shut with several of the elders still complaining, I saw Cassidy crumble to the ground.

She was the most pitiful sight I’ve ever seen.