The Alpha's Fated Outcast: Rise Of The Moonsinger. - Chapter 236

Chapter 236: A bold declaration…
Lyla

Ramsey’s arms tightened around me. The tension in the room ratcheted up several notches as the implications of Lenny’s words sank in.

Nathan wasn’t just threatening to break away anymore – he was already acting as an independent Alpha.

“Help Lyla get settled in the observer’s gallery,” Ramsey ordered, his voice taking on the authoritative tone of the Lycan Leader. “I’ll join the council in five minutes.”

As Lenny nodded and withdrew, Ramsey fiercely kissed my forehead. “Whatever happens in that meeting, remember this – we’re together. Nathan, Xander, none of them can change that.”

I clung to him for a moment longer, breathing in his familiar scent. My mind wandered to what Mother Liora had told me regarding Nathan, the first time I was brought before the White Moon Throne Council and introduced as the Moonsinger.

Everything was playing in that direction, scaring me the more. Finally, I had to let Ramsey go. I watched as he walked out of the room, and Lenny entered immediately. My mind flitted to the conversation from earlier.

I also knew that part of the reason why Ramsey wanted me to sit at the observer’s gallery and attend the meeting was because he wanted me to see Nathan for who he was, and I knew that. Also, as ‘I told you, he wouldn’t be burdened by my cries when things spiral out of control.

Lenny led me to the observer’s gallery and settled me in before leaving. From the gallery, I had a picture-perfect view of the meeting hall. I watched as the elders took their seats, discussing among themselves. Most of them looked unfamiliar and younger than the previous council members.

Until today, Ramsey had remained mute on what he did to the other elders, including his grandfather. He just told me that he gave them permission to do as they please and gave no other information.

After a short while, Ramsey and Lenny walked in. The elders all rose to their feet to acknowledge their presence. Then they sat down, and the large screen in the hall got turned on. Immediately, Nathan’s face came to the screen. There was a smug smile on his face.

“I waited as long as you delayed because, after today, you would never put me in a position where I have to wait for more than thirty minutes before you come to the fucking phone. You Lycans think you’re so important because…”

“Nathan!” Lenny cut him short. “I don’t know about you, but we’re all busy running a pack. We don’t have time to dwell on things which are not important. Go straight to why you called for this meeting.”

There was a slight pause from Nathan before he threw his head back and laughed. His body shook as he did so. After a while, he stopped laughing, taking on a serious expression. This meeting was supposed to be held here in the pack, not over a digital screen, but I knew that Nathan had no intention of travelling to the White Mountains like a man seeking permission. No, he was making a statement today.

He leaned back in his chair.

“I’ve called this meeting,” Nathan began “, to officially inform the White Moon Throne that the Werewolf packs that were once under your rule are no longer under your rule. As of today, we’ve united under a single banner – one that isn’t yours.” His lips curved into a cold smile. “I thought you deserved to hear it directly rather than through rumours.”

Lenny leaned forward; his expression was blank. “Nathan, do you understand the implications of what you’re doing?”

Nathan could only laugh, shaking his head. “Implications? There are none. I’m simply doing what should have been done long ago. I’m becoming the leader my people need – the voice of those who’ve been oppressed for far too long.”

“Oppressed?” one of the elders scoffed. “You sit there and claim oppression when the werewolves have always been given equal standing among the Lycans?”

Nathan’s expression turned cold as his gaze shifted to Ramsey. “Equal standing?” he repeated. “Tell me, oh mighty Lycan Leader, when was the last time you made a decision that actually benefited werewolves? When has the White Moon Throne done anything to curb the growing problem of the Ferals?”

He let the silence stretch, letting his words sink in. Then he leaned forward, “While you sit on your throne like a figurehead, I was the one who liaised with manufacturers to develop weapons effective against Ferals. The werewolves deserve leaders who take action and who protect their interests. From now on, we’ll be in charge of our own destiny.”

After that, silence ensued. None of the elders was clamouring to say anything. They all continued regarding Nathan as if he were a child throwing tantrums. When they confirmed that he was done speaking, one of the elders rose to his feet.

“Alpha Nathan Tanner of Blue Ridge, you stand accused of the following crimes against the White Moon Throne: conspiracy against the White Moon Throne, illegal weapons trafficking with unregistered manufacturers, unauthorized military recruitment and colluding with werecreatures like foxes and bears, interference with established trade routes and multiple violations of the Ancient Accords.”

Nathan arched a brow, unimpressed. “That’s quite the list. I was expecting something more, honestly.”

The elder continued, not commenting on his statement. “Should you proceed with tomorrow’s coronation, additional charges will include high treason, sedition, violation of the Sacred Laws of Succession and disrupting the balance between the Lycans and the werewolves. You would also be declared as a defector.”

Nathan laughed again, leaning back in his chair with a slow shake of his head. “That’s a little sad, don’t you think? Do you honestly believe these charges will scare me?” he crossed his arms, his smirk widening. “Let’s be honest here. You don’t want a war with me, Ramsey Kincaid. You don’t have the balls to start one. You don’t want to push this to the brink. Because if you do, you’ll quickly realise that the werewolves – my people – are ready to fight for their freedom.”

“If you believe that declaring yourself a leader makes you one, then you’ve learned nothing, Nathan.”

Nathan’s eyes flashed with amusement. “You’re worried, aren’t you?” he chuckled. “For the first time, someone is challenging your position, and you don’t like it.”

“Then, what do you want, Nathan? You wouldn’t have called us just to make a declaration. What’s your endgame?”

Nathan tilted his head as amusement flickered in his eyes. “Ah, now you’re asking the right questions. Sometimes, I think you should be the Lycan leader and not Ramsey, anyways…” he leaned forward slightly. “I have a proposal that might interest you. One that could prevent my coronation tomorrow. If you agree, then I’ll do as you want.”

Ramsey’s eyes darkened. “I don’t want to hear it,” he said flatly. “We don’t negotiate with traitors. You’re even in no position to bargain.”

“Oh, but I am,” Nathan chuckled “And I think you already know where this is going, don’t you? Remember I mentioned it back at the pack when you came to visit.”

Ramsey’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t speak.

Nathan exhaled deeply as if savouring the moment. “The Moonsinger,” he said simply. “The Moonsinger is a werewolf by birth. Return her to her people, and I’ll cancel the coronation. All closed trade routes will be reopened; all seized items will be restored. I promise you that.”

Where I sat, my hands clenched the handle of the chair I sat on until my knuckles turned white. I remembered what Lenny had told me about Ramsey making a decision that would favour everyone but himself.

For the first time, some of the elders murmured in disbelief while Ramsey’s eyes turned as cold as ice.

“You’re out of your mind,” Lenny raged.

Nathan ignored him and kept his eyes trained on Ramsey. “I think it’s a fair trade. If Lyla returns here, people, I will reopen the trade routes, practically restore everything to how it was.” He smiled. “Everyone wins.”

“You dare make demands about my mate?” Ramsey’s voice was deadly quiet. “You think Lyla is something you can bargain with? Like a piece of property?”

“Your mate?” Nathan scoffed. “She’s a werewolf – one of us. The fact that she’s been kept from her heritage, forced to serve as the Moonsigner instead of taking her rightful place among her people, is just another example of how the White Moon Throne oppresses us.”

One of the elders chuckled dryly. “You speak of heritage, Nathan, yet you’ve managed to break every sacred tradition established by our ancestors. The role of the Moonsinger transcends pack politics, and she’s the Lycan leader’s mate. It’s only right, they’re together.”

“He should give up his position then and come be with her. Anyway, think carefully about my offer. You have until sunrise tomorrow, Lyla is the key to all of this,” Nathan said smoothly.

Ramsey inhaled deeply. His voice was low but firm when he spoke. “You’ve already made your choice, Nathan. You think this is the way forward, but you’re making a mistake. Do not force my hand into declaring a war.”

Nathan smirked. “Just before you do that, let me be the first to wave the red flag and show you that I am not one you should mess with. I’ve prepared a small gift for you, and it should…” he paused, staring at his wristwatch.

“It would come in 5…4…3…2…1…” as he said the last number, a loud explosion rocked the hall.

And everything went black.