The Alpha's Fated Outcast: Rise Of The Moonsinger. - Chapter 233

Chapter 233: Pre-coronation…
Ramsey

I stepped off the jet and inhaled deeply, as my gaze swept across the familiar terrain of Blue Ridge.

“So much for security,” I scoffed under my breath, surprised that there weren’t warriors here already blazing with guns to stop us. Didn’t they pick the jet in their security radar?

It had been a while since I was last here. I stared at my watch – the journey had taken exactly thirty minutes, just as planned and if everything went well, I should be on my way back to White Moon before evening. I wanted to round off every discussion with Nathan today.

Because this is going to be the last time I come to make peace.

The easiest way to trick people like him is to give them the illusion that they’re in charge. It messes with their reasoning and that’s exactly what I’ve been doing with Nathan so far. To Nathan, he feels he calls the shots and can do whatever pleases him but I’ve anticipated everything he’s doing.

I’ve always reserved the benefit of the doubt for him because of Lyla but more than once, he has proven me right. Nathan was driven by greed, power and revenge. He didn’t even love, Lyla that much, he loved the idea of owning her. Of being with someone who is constantly bullied, someone who can be weak around him.

Someone who would see him as a saviour… just the way, Lyla did in the past and maybe still does. But the real Nathan… is a personality, darker than what you can imagine. I turned to the pilot and the warrior who had accompanied me. “Stay with the jet. I’ll send further instructions once I’ve assessed the situation.” The warrior nodded.

Both men bowed their heads in acknowledgement and without another word, I strode towards the heart of Blue Ridge. Nathan’s office building precisely.

My last visit here – at this side of the pack, had been when Lyla had first arrived after staying away for four years. I had been so desperate to see Lyla. I remembered how young and uncertain I’d felt then, despite my position as a Lycan Leader. The irony wasn’t lost on me – I’d come here simply wanting to catch a glimpse of her. I didn’t dare dream that she would want me back or fate would play her back into my arms.

Now she was mine, after everything.

A fond smile crept onto my lips as I remembered how she had hastily said yes. It just felt right. Staring at her down there, looking as if she would burst out into tears any moment, I had felt so much love that I just said the first thing that came to my mind.

Now, I’ll be hers forever.

My signet ring caught the sunlight as I walked through the pack grounds, walking past several checkpoints without being stopped. It was a silent way to remind everyone of my position and the guards only straightened their postures but made no move to stop me.

Instead, their eyes followed my movement, with a mixture of fear and respect – as always my position as a Lycan Leader preceded me and I was also convinced that Nathan hadn’t informed them all of his rebellion.

As the modern glass building that housed Nathan’s office loomed ahead, I spotted Nathan standing with a group of people, gesturing animatedly about something while the people standing around him paid keen attention to him.

I chuckled. How many times had I stood in that same spot, pretending I was worried that he would stop our trade rights when I was searching for glimpses of Lyla?

I didn’t stop walking, but I slowed my steps. Nathan was the reason I was here. I was expecting conflict, and violence even… it was Nathan and I was ready.

Someone – one of the people standing around him must have noticed me and alerted Nathan of my presence because, in the next few seconds, Nathan suddenly turned. Our eyes met across the distance and I could read the shocked expression in his eyes.

His blue eyes widened for the briefest second before he masked his emotions. For a moment, we simply stared at each other… the air between us sizzled with tension until finally, Nathan turned his back, and continued his conversation as if I wasn’t there.

I scoffed. “So, that’s how it’s going to be, Nathan Tanner?”

The dismissal was clear but I wasn’t angry. I had expected this – had planned for it, even. My lips curved into a knowing smile as I watched his obvious failed attempt to appear unbothered. After a while, he couldn’t take it anymore.

Nathan was not a patient person.

He dismissed the people with him and started walking towards me.

“How dare you show up here? Why did you breach our security protocols and come here without prior information?” he bellowed as he stood in front of me. I had ruffled him… he was angry.

“I thought you were never going to notice me. How are you doing Nathan? Congratulations… I heard you’re the new Alpha Leader. The coronation is tomorrow I guess? I saw the hidden banners all over your pack. I understand you didn’t want me to know but why are you hiding it from your people?”

He looked stunned.

I continued anyway. “I would have sat down to discuss with you but I came here for my wife – Lyla!” I paused for a minute, loving the pain that flashed through his eyes.

“I wasn’t going to offer you that audience to sit and discuss with you, Ramsey Kincaid. What are you doing in my pack?”

I scoffed. “I have access to any pack I want to go to, Nathan. I don’t follow rules or protocols, they do not apply to me. I simply did all of those before just to lead by example but you don’t catch on, quickly.”

“Why are you here?” he asked again, ignoring me.

“You know why I’m here,” I said coolly.

He scoffed. “Enlighten me.”

“You have Miriam locked up. And you’ve cut off trade routes to the White Mountain region. I want to know why.”

His faced hardened immediately. “I don’t answer to the the White Mountain Region.”

“You might not,” I said with an even tone, “but you answer to me, Nathan. Because you and I both know that severing ties with the White Mountain Region is treason and it’s not as simple as you think.”

He laughed heartily for a few seconds. When he was done, he stared at me without flinching. “You don’t get it, do you? We’re tired, Ramsey. We’re tired of being treated like pawns in your games. We’ve lived under your thumb long enough and now we’re done.”

“You think you can just declare independence and everything will be fine?” I challenged. “That’s not how this works. You know that, Nathan. You’ve always known that but something in your tiny mind keeps assuring you that you can do as you please.”

His jaw ticked, but he didn’t respond. He was displaying an unsual level of discipline today.

“And Miriam?” I continued. “What has she done to deserve being thrown into a dungeon?”

His expressiuon darkened. “It’s between me and her and who told you that?”

I narrowed my eyes. “You’re making a mistake, Nathan.”

His gaze snapped back to me. “Maybe I am. But it’s mine to make.”

I shook my head. “No. Because your mistake affects more than just you. it affects your people, Lyla and everyone who still believes in you.”

At the mention of Lyla’s name, something flickered in his eyes – something unspoken.

“I’m taking Miriam with me,” I said firmly.

Nathan laughed again. “You think you can just walk in here and demand that?”

I took a step closer to him. “Yes.”

He stared at me. Then after a long pause, he sighed heavily and ran a hand down his face.

“Miriam would be here anytime soon. She can decide if she wants to go with you or not.”

That wasn’t the response I was expecting.

“Miriam made certain comments about me and I was angry and threw her in the dungeon. However, she has been out of it for a few days now. If she wants to go with you, it’s up to her.”

I didn’t expect his sincerity also.

“And if you have waited for a few hours more, I’m sure you would have gotten the invitation for my coronation tomorrow. I wasn’t hiding anything, Ramsey. There’s nothing to hide. What I am doing is what the people want. So, sorry to disappoint you.” He added.

Just as I was about to respond, Miriam approached from the office side, dressed in her ceremonial priestess gown.

“Alpha Ramsey!” she looked surprised. “Fancy seeing you here. Where is Lyla?”

As she asked, she was peering behind my back.