The Alpha's Fated Outcast: Rise Of The Moonsinger. - Chapter 235

Chapter 235: Desperate choices…
Lyla

As soon as I returned the Feral to its cage, I sped through the packlands towards the pack building, my heart was hammering against my ribs. As I ran, I tried calling Ramsey. Thankfully, his line went through but there was no response.

I knew he was far and sending a mindlink might not be easy to get, I tried and was still met with no response. I burst into the lobby of the office building, searching frantically. The corridors blurred past me as I searched for Lenny. I barely noticed the curious glances of the pack members, nor did I care. Right now, all I wanted was answers.

I could still hear Xander’s voice echoing in my head: “Choose, now!”

A shiver ran down my spine, and I forced myself to push forward. I finally spotted Lenny near the entrance to one of the conference rooms talking to a group of warriors.

“Lenny,” I called out.

He turned quickly, the smile on his face died and immediately shifted from casual to concerned the moment he saw my face. I didn’t slow down as I reached him, without hesitation, I grabbed his wrist and pulled him to the side, away from the others.

“Where is Ramsey?” I demanded breathlessly. “I know you know what’s going on. Just tell me the truth, Lenny. Where’s Ramsey?”

Lenny frowned. “Lyla, calm down. Let me explain.”

No!” I cut him off, shaking my head furiously. “Tell me the truth, Lenny. I don’t care if it’s bad news. I don’t care how terrible it is, just…,” my voice cracked and my eyes burned with unshed tears. “Just tell me. Please, Lenny.”

He reached for me, trying to offer comfort but I noticed his hesitation and the flicker of something in his eyes. Something he wasn’t saying. The hesitation was enough to shatter the last shred of composure I had. My breathing became erratic as I paced in circles, my hands clutching at my chest.

The panic attack was taking hold, making the world around me spin.

“I knew it,” I whispered. “I knew something was wrong. He hasn’t called. He hasn’t responded to my mindlink…”

“Lyla, please calm down,” Lenny said gently, stepping forward, but I backed away.

I felt like I was suffocating, my chest was so tight… I felt hemmed in, the room, suddenly felt dense and without oxygen. My hands went to my chest, trying to steady my breathing but it wasn’t working.

“Lyla?”

That voice. It was deep and familiar. I froze and whirled around, my vision blurring as I saw the tall figure standing at the other end of the hallways. It was him. Ramsey.

I turned to Lenny who was standing next to me watching me strangely. “Do Lycans make an appearance to the ones they love after dying?”

“He’s not dead, Lyla. That’s Ramsey. I was trying to tell you that he came back some minutes ago and has been looking for you,” Lenny murmured.

I turned towards Ramsey again, he looked whole and unharmed. A strangled sob tore from my throat as my knees gave out. I crumpled to the floor, as violent sobs wracked through my body. He was here. He was alive.

Before I could process it, Ramsey was kneeling in front of me gathering me into his arms and pulling me into a firm embrace.

“Shh, baby, I’m here,” he murmured against my hair as his strong hands stroked my back. “When I arrived, they said you’d gone for a walk. I had to handle something urgent at the office before coming to find you.”

My fists pounded against his chest weakly. I clung to him at the same time, sobbing uncontrollably. “You – why…” I hiccupped between words. “Why wouldn’t you take my calls?! Why wouldn’t you mindlink me?!”

He caught my hands in his, pressing them against his heart. “The negotiations with Nathan required complete mental shields. I’m sure he had people monitoring all channels of communication and any leak could have compromised everything and he would have known we were onto him. I had Lenny relay information in the safest way possible. I had to block all external connections, even our bond.”

His eyes were filled with regret. “I’m sorry baby. I should have found a way to warn you.”

I sniffled, burying my face against his shirt. “You could’ve just sent something.”

“I know,” he whispered, pressing a kiss to my hair. “I’m sorry.”

My body finally stopped shaking, though my fingers still gripped his jacket like I was afraid he’d disappear. He pulled back slightly and without a word, scooped me up in his arms and carried me bridegroom style to his office.

We settled on the leather couch, I curled in his lap as the last of my sobs subsided. I sat there for a long moment until finally lifted my tear-stained face. Our eyes met and without thinking, I closed the distance, pressing my lips to his.

Ramsey responded immediately, his hand cupping the back of my head, deepening the kiss. It was desperate, filled with relief, longing and love.

When we finally pulled apart, I took in a shaky breath.

“Xander came to me,” I said quietly.

I felt Ramsey tensed but I continued.

“He showed me a vision. You – you were tied up in silver chains, in a dark room. You were bleeding and he said I had to choose between saving you or watching you die.”

A knowing smile formed on Ramsey’s lips. “He’s getting desperate. Very desperate. Nathan would not attack me in any way. Aside from the fact that I am a Lycan, attacking me would provoke the wrath of the entire Lycans and unless he doesn’t want to start his ruling well, he’d be a fool to do that. Don’t worry, he’s smart enough.”

I frowned. “You’re not taking this seriously.”

“I am,” he assured me. “But Lyla, Xander thrives on fear. He wants you to panic. He wants you to feel like you have no control. He doesn’t have me. If he did, you wouldn’t be seeing mirages and visions – you’d be seeing reality.”

I swallowed. “But what if he does something.”

He brushed a strand of hair from my face. “Let him try.”

I traced the lines of his face with trembling fingers, reassuring myself that he was really here. “Fine. But tell me, what happened in Blue Ridge? What happened with Nathan?”

His expression hardened immediately. “He didn’t deny anything. He admitted he was breaking away from the White Moon Throne’s rule. Told us to ‘do our worst’ and it was the will of his people breaking away from the chains we’ve held them in.”

I closed my eyes, a deep sadness settling in my chest.

“And Nanny?” I asked softly.

“She’s fine. We spoke at length. Ramsey did incarcerate her but he’s released her now. She chose to stay back. She said she’ll be officiating his coronation tomorrow.”

My eyes widened. “Wait… what? Why?”

Ramsey nodded grimly. “Nathan is going through with it. I’m hoping he’ll come to his senses before then. If he goes through with it, he’ll be officially labeled a defector and charged with treason.”

Fresh tears welled in my eyes. “This is so unlike Nathan. Something must be wrong somewhere. This is not the Nathan I know. He’s not the boy I grew up with. What if I talk to him, to make him see that what he’s doing is not the right path. He would listen to me.”

“I think he’s past that, Lyla. I may be wrong but there’s something evil that has taken over Nathan. He doesn’t seem normal. He acts like some big bad villain. I don’t even understand or know how to put it into perspective what I have seen so far.”

“Things change people. I’m sure he changed because of a a lot of things. When he was at my place, after he came out of the dungeons and came to bring me home…”

“He was in your home?” Ramsey’s eyes flashed with jealousy.

“Yes!” I nodded “But nothing happened. Not even when we both dated. He was a perfect gentleman; I can assure you.”

“But you kissed!” Ramsey rolled his eyes, “Some gentleman he is.”

“We were dating. People who date do that all the time. Don’t they? Didn’t you do so with Cassidy? Didn’t you sleep with each other? And those other women?”

“I was engaged to Cassidy and there were no other women, Lyla. All of that was a ruse to hide my intent. The more my grandfather thought I was weak, the more he relaxed. I’ve been able to achieve all my plans because of it. I may have had a few flings here and there but, I will never cheat on you, Lyla. I’d rather die than to let another woman have me. I belong to you and you alone.”

I hid a smile.

“You’re just looking for easy ways to climb onto my bed tonight,” I retorted.

He laughed, nudging me with his head. “Let’s get married as soon as possible. Have you ever thought about babies? I want a lot…”

I laughed, covering my mouth. Just as I was about to respond, there was a brief knock on the door before Lenny’s head popped in.

“Sorry to interrupt,” he said “The council is meeting. We’ve just received a message from Nathan. Or should I say… the incumbent Alpha Leader.”