The Alpha's Fated Outcast: Rise Of The Moonsinger. - Chapter 59

Chapter 59: Reunion…
Miriam (Nanny)

My heart skipped a beat, my eyes flickered towards Mother Liora who was silent.

“Although the council is not complete as the other Priestesses are on a mission outside the pack, we, here are the seven cardinals needed in decision making and also with the authority of the High Priestess.” Priestess Tania continued.

Mother Liora nodded and finally stepped forward. Her expression was calm but her eyes were filled with something I couldn’t quite place.

“First of all, Miriam. I am more disappointed in you than anyone in this hall. Not only did you deceive me, I feel responsible for aiding your escapades but why should we punish you when the man who put you in this situation is allowed to roam free? He knew who you were and still, he had the guts to defile you?”

“That’s why I wanted her to give us his name,” Priestess Tania sucked her teeth, “Not only does he deserve a good beating but he needs to be stripped of his title and his position given to another.”

My eyes misted with tears as I stared at the women in the hall. None of them had judgments in their eyes. Yes, they were disappointed and angry with me, but they didn’t think it was my fault entirely.

I couldn’t have felt more loved.

“I’ve known you since you were a child,” Mother Liora continued. “And I’ve watched you grow into the woman you are now. And I cannot bear to see you punished so harshly. So, we’ve all agreed…” She paused and turned to the other women who nodded in unison.

“As punishment, You will carry the child to term and when you give birth to it, you will give it away. I and the Priestesses would look for a couple deserving of the child and give it to them and you will never see it again. You cannot feed the child or touch it. In return, your life will be spared.”

I nodded – that should be easy right?

I had expected death and had even come to terms with it in some strange way. But this, I didn’t know how to feel. I was neither relieved, happy nor sad.

Mother Liora’s eyes softened as she came up to me and raised me. “I’m giving you a second chance, Miriam. Do not waste it. Also, all these women in this hall are staking their lives for you, Miriam… if this blows over, we’ll share your punishment. So, a lot of lives are on the line on your behalf.”

***

Present Day

I stood in front of the familiar stone altar. I haven’t been back here in two decades, but everything looked the same. It was as though time had slowed down within the walls of the temple, though, I hadn’t changed so much.

Tears pricked at my eyes as I knelt once more as I had twenty years ago, grabbing Mother Liora’s legs. This time, I wasn’t a young woman. I was older, wearier and burdened by the choices I had made.

Mother Liora lowered herself to the floor again, her old hands trembling as she touched my face, I could see tears in her eyes, as she stared at me with disbelief and joy.

“Is this really you, Miriam?” her voice shook. “You’ve come back after all these years?”

“Yes! I sniffed back tears, resting my head on her shoulders. “It is me, Mother. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to leave like that.” I couldn’t hold back my tears now. “I was just too ashamed. I couldn’t bear it…”

“Oh, Miriam,” she chuckled sadly as she stroked my hair while I sobbed on her shoulders. “You’ve carried this burden until now. It’s all in the past.”

Her words did little to soothe me, instead, it made me sob harder. My body shook as tears wrangled out of me. I was so filled with emotions. Mother Liora held me tightly, letting me sob. We stayed like that for what felt like an eternity until the worst of my tears passed.

When we finally pulled apart, Mother Liora’s eyes were filled with warmth, though there was a shadow of sadness lingering.

Then she smacked me on my arm, glaring at me. “You foolish girl,” she chided sucking her teeth. “Why did you run away? Why didn’t you care to visit us all these years? We all thought you were dead. Do you know how worried I was?”

“Ow!” I pouted my lips rubbing my hand on my arms feigning hurt. “I guess after all these years, you never lost your touch. That was so painful.”

“Don’t make me put you on my knees and spank you!” I glared at me again. “Where have you been? Where did you hide?”

“You know! I’ve been around,” I leaned against her, jabbing at her playfully. “I’m sorry. Io was so foolish back then but now I’ve learnt a lot of lessons.”

“Seemed like you didn’t learn how to dress!” she scoffed rising to her feet. “That dress you have on is hideous. Where did you get it from?”

“Form the market, where else!” I looked down at my flower dress complete with matching shoes and bag. Anyway, I’m so glad to see you. I feared the worst.”

“I’m not going anywhere, soon child!” she laughed, brushing a strand of hair from my face. “We all make mistakes, Miriam. But running away doesn’t erase them. You should have come back to us. We would have helped you.”

My gaze dropped to the floor, my cheeks flooding with colour. “I knew that but I was just too selfish to consider anyone’s feelings back then and maybe, I wasn’t strong enough back then.”

Just as Mother Liora was about to respond, the sound of feet running towards the temple reached my ears. Before long, the door was thrown open and I turned to see several older priestesses, approaching us, their eyes wide in disbelief and joy, just like Mother had been.

Some of the faces I recognized instantly, while others had aged since I’d been away. But all of them right now were staring at me with shock and elation.

“Miriam?” Priestess Zahra approached me. “Is it really you?”

I nodded slowly, trying to fight the nostalgia that tightened my chest suddenly. “Priestess Zahra. It’s me. Miriam.”

“By the Goddess, you’ve returned to us,” Priestess Tania exclaimed reaching forward and clasping my hand in hers.

Before long, I was surrounded by most of the Priestesses who I grew up with. One by one, they gave me hugs, making me tear uncontrollably. I hadn’t expected the warm reception.

“You’ve returned at last,” Preisestess Khaliah – Mother’s bosom friend announced. “We thought we’d lost you forever.”

I nodded, my voice still filled with emotion. “I missed you all.”

As the women bombarded me with questions I was trying my best not to lie. Although most of the answers I gave were far from the truth but that didn’t matter, I was no longer bound by the three oaths. Suddenly, someone pushed through the crowd, her eyes mirroring tears as she came towards me.

It was my best friend, my roommate, my confidant – Terra.

“Miriam!” Terra breathed, a tear rolling down her cheeks as she pulled me into a tight hug until I could no longer breathe. When she pulled apart, her eyes ran the length of my body, checking me out.

“When some of the Novices informed me that they spotted someone with the Silver mark in the Temple, I had hoped it would be you… turns out it is..” she sobbed. “I’ve missed you so much. I’ve missed you all these years and you haven’t aged a day! You must be in a better place.”

I considered my little office at the Caffee Nook that brought in enough income to take care of me and Lyla and the two-bedroom house I lived in. It wasn’t luxury but then again, I was comfortable. Also, it could be all the shine from when I was still at Blue Ridge.

I laughed softly in response. The joy of seeing my friend after so many years. “I’ve aged more than you think. How are you?”

“I’m better now that I see you. I became the Wisewoman just like you always said,” Terra laughed through her tears. “I always knew you’d come back to us someday.”