The Alpha's Fated Outcast: Rise Of The Moonsinger. - Chapter 234

Chapter 234: The Choice…
Lyla

I had spent the last two days doing everything I could to keep myself occupied, but nothing seemed to shake off the worry that clung to me like a second skin. Ramsey had called once when he arrived in Blue Ridge, his voice steady, assuring her that everything was fine and that he would return soon. But since then, silence. Lenny had mentioned in the morning assembly that Ramsey had called briefly, stating he was caught up in negotiations, yet something about his absence gnawed at me.

I decided to clear my head with a walk.

Recently, we’ve decided to be taking the Feral pups, those that were mature enough to walk out once every now and again to let them excersise and not get used to staying indoors and in one place.

When Ramsey was here, we would take one of the pups together through a hidden path, reserved for Ramsey and himself for a run every evening. It did them good because they were already getting accustomed to everything.

The Feral pup beside me—one of the few that had grown enough to walk steadily and not just that, showed excellent skills. He was a good listener and learner. Though he didn’t speak, he could understand a few words said to him and could take instructions—padded along with me, its wide eyes flickering between curiosity and alertness.

The afternoon was cool, the air thick with the scent of damp earth and pine. I tried not to let my thoughts wander to Ramsey, but the gnawing worry made it impossible. I exhaled sharply, rubbing my temples as we walked toward the clearing.

Suddenly, the Feral stiffened beside me, its ears flattening as it let out a deep growl. I stopped immediately, my instincts coming alive. I followed the pup’s gaze to a dense cluster of trees just ahead. The creature beside me snarled lowly, its fangs bared as its eyes locked onto something hidden in the shadows.

My pulse quickened.

“Nymeris,” I whispered in my mind, calling my wolf.

Be ready.

As if in response, a warm pulse of energy coiled inside me

The moment I did, the leaves rustled, and the shadows twisted. From behind the tree stepped a figure.

I inhaled sharply.

Xander.

He looked exactly as I remembered—the same sharp features, the smoldering blue eyes that seemed to hold galaxies of chaos within them. His dark hair fell slightly over his face, and he wore a lazy smirk as if they were nothing more than old friends meeting by chance.

My stomach clenched.

The last time I saw Xander was during the cleansing ritual and I had fallen into a coma. When he had tortured me and tried to make me succumb to his need. He looked even better than what I had done. Much more better.

Also, he had started coming to my dreams these days, lurking like a ghost from my past, whispering promises of things she could never allow herself to accept. But now, here he was—flesh and bone.

“I have missed you,” Xander said smoothly, his voice sliding over me like silk, dark and teasing. He took a step forward, but the Feral at my side growled louder, its body tensed.

My hands balled into fists.

I didn’t have time for this. I didn’t want to entertain whatever delusion Xander had.

“I’ll make this quick,” he continued, unfazed by the hostility in my stance. “Choose.”

I narrowed her eyes.

“Choose what?” I asked, my voice steady despite the unease swirling in my stomach.

Xander tilted his head, as if slightly disappointed by my lack of understanding. He exhaled dramatically and lifted his hand.

The air around them shimmered.

A mirage appeared before me.

I gasped.

There, in the wavering illusion, was Ramsey.

He was tied down with thick silver chains, his arms bound behind him. His face was bloodied, bruises dark against his pale skin. His chest rose and fell weakly, as if each breath pained him. His clothes were torn, revealing deep gashes and wounds across his body.

My heart stopped.

“Ramsey…” I whispered, taking an instinctive step forward, only for Xander to wave his fingers and make the image disappear as suddenly as it had appeared.

“Choose,” Xander said again, his voice lower, more insistent.

I turned to him, my body was already trembling with fear and anger at the same time. I didn’t know if I was angrier that he was here or that he could be lying to me.

Lenny said Ramsey was fine. Ramsey is a Lycan, and silver chains cannot keep him bound for long. It’s either Xander was trying to play with my emotions and get me to concede into his wants or something even worse.

“You’re lying,” Ihissed. “That wasn’t real.”

Xander chuckled. “Oh, Lyla. I never lie.” His eyes gleamed as he leaned slightly toward me his voice dropping to something almost intimate. “You know that.”

My breath hitched.

Ramsey was in trouble. And I was standing here, wasting time with the very thing I had been warned about.

“What do you want?” I spat, her hands shaking.

Xander’s smirk widened, his eyes flickering with something unreadable.

“You already know,” he murmured. “Come with me. Give yourself to me—just once, Lyla. And I will let him go.”

my stomach lurched.

The words settled in the air between them like a suffocating fog.

I stared at him, trying to gauge if he was serious. But the problem with Xander was that he never said things he didn’t mean.

He was waiting.

I could hear my heart pounding in my ears.

I clenched my fists.

I needed time. Time to think. Time to figure out how to get Ramsey out of this without falling into Xander’s twisted games.

I took a slow breath. “You’re asking me to betray my mate.”

Xander’s eyes darkened.

“I’m asking you to save him.”

I felt her knees buckle slightly.

There was no right choice here.

If I go with Xander—if I gave in—I would be breaking everything between me and Ramsey. I would be giving Xander the power he wanted over me, over my world, oover everything, the satisfaction of knowing that he could control me, that I would choose him when he demanded it.

But if I didn’t…

Ramsey would die.

My chest tightened.

Nymeris, I called out again.

The wolf inside me stirred, her energy rippling through mea like an uncoiling storm.

Don’t let him break you.

I inhaled sharply,my jaw tightening.

Xander watched me carefully, waiting, his expression unreadable.

Then, I did something that surprised even me

I laughed.

It was bitter, raw, and slightly unhinged, but it was real.

Xander’s brow arched in amusement.

“Something funny?”

I exhaled, shaking my head.

“Yes,”I said, wiping my eyes. “You actually thought I would fall for this. If you held Ramsey ransom, you would have brought him here with you and threaten me with it. You will not show me some mirage and expect me to believe it. You’ve always been a liar, Xander. You’ve always manipulated me.”

Xander’s amusement flickered, replaced by something colder.

“Listen to me, Lyla. If you do not do as I’ve told you… I mean, this is your last chance to come over. It’s not that hard. Finish up what we started, take the blood oath, rule with me. How difficult can that be? Your continuous refusal will get you nowhere, Lyla. It will only bring pain to your people.”

I took a step forward,

“You think you can just show up, throw some illusion in my face, and I’ll crumble?” my lips curled. “I’m not her anymore, Xander.”

His eyes flashed with something dangerous.

“And you think you’re strong enough to let him die?”

I swallowed. “No.”

Xander stilled.

“How about we come to terms about something. First, I need you to understand that I do not want to be converted to your darkside. I don’t want to fight alongside you or anyone but, I could help you in a way if you let me.”

He paused and continued staring at me.

“You want my power to help the Ferals transform into human forms right? Also, you want me to be able to let you rule and by it, take control of the White Moon Throne which is the seat of power in our world right?”

My voice didn’t waver as I continued.

“Give me a few days, let me think about it. I know you do not have a form yet and you desperately need me for that. I could help you unlock the rest of your powers, restore your form and stop you from floating around like a ghost. Give me a few days…”

“I don’t have a few days. Except you want Ramsey to die…”

“I will save him. But not on your terms.”

Xander’s expression darkened. “How, exactly, do you intend to do that?”

I held his gaze, unwavering.

“You’ll see. Meet me here in two days and I’ll have my reply.”

For the first time, uncertainty flickered across his face.

Good.

Iturned on her heel.

I walked away.

I expected him to attack. To reach out. To stop me.

But he didn’t.

Instead, his voice floated through the air, low and almost…pleased.

“I look forward to it, my love.”