The Alpha's Fated Outcast: Rise Of The Moonsinger. - Chapter 226

Chapter 226: Power plays…
Nathan

I came in at the first light of dawn and the first thing I did was hit the shower and wash off every trace. I was dressing up when Clarissa finally stirred awake.

Thankfully, she had agreed to my request without putting up an extra fight and I was glad. The privacy I would get without her being here would help me put things into perspective as it should be.

When I finally walked out of the house, I tried to mask the emotions going through me. The morning air was cool but it did little to quieten the fire brewing inside me. I kept thinking about earlier hours and how Clarissa almost caught me.

I had barely stepped out of the euphoria when she confronted me, demanding answers, and pushing me as if she had any control over the choices I made.

But she didn’t.

And she never would.

One of the Betas under probation who served as my personal assistant was already waiting for me outside. He nodded wordlessly before falling into step behind me, following as I made my way toward the dungeon.

The dungeon’s heavy iron door creaked open as I descended the steps. When the guards saw me, they immediately came alive. Without a word, they unlocked the next iron gates, allowing me entry. I walked in, moving to Miriam’s cell.

The scent of damp stone and rusted chains filled my nostrils combined with thick darkness but I didn’t need to see clearly to know who was lying in the farthest cell.

Miriam.

She was still, her body slumped against the cold wall, and her breathing was barely audible. I had left her in here to rot for what she did, for the words she spoke that were still fresh in my heart. I gestured to one of the guards standing at the entrance.

“Take her outside,” I ordered. “Let her get some sunlight.”

Three guards entered inside immediately and went to where Miriam was. They carefully lifted her unconscious form and started towards the iron gates of the dungeon. I followed closely behind them, trying to hide my frustration. I was tired of waking up to my father’s nagging and the only way to get him to go on an errand for me, especially at the moment was to do this one thing he has been pleading for a few weeks now.

Alpha Regan’s death had been timely and somehow, I had been among the first people who got the information, giving me ample time to claim his pack before any of the other Alphas did. Shadow Moon Pack was one of the oldest and most historic packs ever.

For one, they had ancient training tools and one of the most equipped training grounds for warriors and somehow, they had been able to preserve it. Not just that, their pack was located at a choice place that shields them away from the eyes of the rest of the Alphas.

They had the best waterways to aid any fight and vegetation that could help protect them during a war equally. Not just that, they bordered a lot of foreign packs and had a longstanding relationship with them not just for trade but to share ample resources.

Although I had secured the pack, there were some difficulties in claiming it and my father is the best negotiator I know. In return for releasing Miriam, he would help me secure the pack.

When we got to the courtyard, the guards laid Miriam down carefully and at my nod, one of them grabbed a bucket of water and splashed it on her.

She gasped, her body jerking upright as she coughed and sputtered. She looked thinner and malnourished.

She blinked rapidly, shielding her eyes from the bright morning light. Her eyes hovered around the place after a while before they finally focused on me, and then she rolled them dramatically.

“I must have died and gone to hell,” she muttered hoarsely.

My lips curled into a smirk as I let out a low chuckle. “Don’t worry, I’ll be the one to decide your fate. You’re still alive.”

While I was still speaking a pack doctor arrived with his attendants, followed closely by a group of maids carrying trays of food. They set up a small table before Miriam before they set the food down. The aroma of fresh bread, roasted meat and warm broth filled the air.

The doctor went to her immediately, checked her vitals and then gave her a few things to drink, swallow and chew. After that, he left.

I gestured toward the feast. “Eat up.”

Her eyes narrowed at me. “Since when do you feed your prisoners?”

I ignored the jab and continued talking. “After that, you’ll take a bath, get some fresh clothes and go to the room prepared for you in my house. You won’t be returning to the dungeon. At least… not until you offend me again.”

Her expression darkened. “What are you planning this time?”

I smiled and took a step toward her. “In two days, I’ll be sworn in as the new and the first Alpha Leader,” I replied with satisfaction. “Just to keep you informed and up to date with what’s been happening. All the Alphas in the North, West, East and South have decided to unite under one government like the Lycans and pull out from their rule. They chose me to lead them.”

She laughed, holding her sides. It was a weak, raspy laugh that was more mockery than amusement.

“You? A Beta? Being chosen as Alpha Leader? This has got to be the biggest joke I’ve ever heard.”

My smirk remained intact. I crouched in front of her, staring at her calmly. “That’s why I want you to officiate this joke,” I said smoothly.

Her laughter stopped.

“The Moon Temple is quite a distance from Blue Ridge and I don’t want to waste time with all the formalities of bringing a priestess here when we already have one. You’ll officiate the ceremony and coronate me as the new Alpha Leader.”

“I’m not a priestess,” Miriam scoffed. “Priestesses do not have babies out of wedlock.”

I leaned in, lowering my voice. “No, but you know enough. I saw you at the Harvest Moon Festival, performing rituals alongside the High Priestess. Aren’t you suppose to succeed her?”

I felt her stiff.

“I don’t want to be a part of this.”

I laughed dryly. “You don’t have a choice here, Miriam.”

“I do, Nathan. You can tell whatever is using you that I am not Lyla and I will not be forced to do things that I do not nor agree with. The Lycans are the leadership placed over us by the Moon Goddess and it has been that way for centuries. This is rebellion!”