The Alpha's Fated Outcast: Rise Of The Moonsinger. - Chapter 97

Chapter 97: Funeral day…
Lyla

My father would be laid to rest today.

It’s been a hectic week so far, from working hand in hand with Beta Jeremy, to inspecting the work done by every sub-department we had to put together for the funeral and then making sure that all the guests have safe passage to Blue Ridge.

This would be the second funeral I would be attending – the first was Nathan’s mother, the second my father. The funeral hall was filled with heavy silence as our guests trooped in, each one of them stopping to murmur quiet condolences to us where we were standing at the entrance of the hall, my mother and sister flanking me at both sides.

I was dressed in black, barely taking note of the words each person was saying, I was too nervous to concentrate. Today wasn’t just about grieving my father; it was about facing the ghosts of my past – the one person I hadn’t seen in four years. Ramsey.

I was dreading seeing him here… He arrived at midnight and was staying in the guest room prepared for him in the pack house. I had tried to push the thought of him from my mind and to focus solely on honoring the memory of my father but the anticipation was killing me.

As the guests kept coming, my eyes scanned each face, my chest tightening as the minutes dragged on, just when I was going to convince myself that he might come later on, my breath caught in my throat when I spotted a familiar figure.

Even in the throng, he still stood out – tall, towering with broad shoulders that made him seem bigger than his original height. His short dark hair was cut in wavy length, stopping just at the nape of his neck – he used to wear it longer. The years didn’t diminish his beauty – he was still as handsome as ever with a face that would disarm even the coldest of hearts and amber eyes that met mine now.

Our gazes locked and for a heartbeat, I felt that familiar tug, like the one I’d felt four years ago, when I had seen him in that gala hall… even now, all I wanted was to go to him, to wrap myself in his arms and to let him fuck me until my legs turn to rubber.

I squeezed my thighs together, swallowing as I pushed the immoral thought from my mind. I owed my father that much. As he moved through the crowd towards me, I could barely breathe, my body was frozen as I watched him come.

I didn’t even notice my sister, Clarssia shifting beside me or the guest politely waiting for my attention.

“Lyla,” Clarissa hissed, nudging me back to the present. I blinked, pulling my gaze away from Ramsey, realizing now that he was standing a few feet in front of me.

That was when I noticed the dark-haired woman perched possessively on his arms, flashing a diamond ring that looked expensive on the third finger of her left hand. Of course, it was Cassidy and no one else.

She wore a smug, disdainful look as she stared at me.

Swallowing my emotions, I bowed politely to Ramsey. “Alpha Ramsey,” I said quietly, keeping my voice steady.

His expression softened as he gave me a small nod in return. “I’m sorry for your loss, Lyla,” he said gently.

I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. He moved over to my mother, taking her hands. “Luna Vanessa,” he said softly, maintaining a respectful tone. “I’m deeply sorry about everything. Alpha Logan was an incredible man and he’ll be greatly missed.”

My mother nodded; her eyes glassy with tears. “Thank you, Alpha Ramsey. It means a lot to us to have you here… and your grandfather too. You cannot imagine how fulfilled I feel right now, knowing that Logan played a role in keeping him alive.”

She flashed him a smile, the first I had seen since I arrived. It was as though she was comforted by his presence as if acknowledging her grief was a balm she needed.

“We’ll forever be indebted to your family and the memory of Alpha Logan. I hope you’re doing okay though. Should you even be standing?” his eyes flicked to her engorged stomach causing my mother to smile.

“I’ll be fine, Alpha. Don’t worry…”

Ramsey moved over to Clarissa, murmuring comforting words to her as well while my gaze wandered back to Cassidy who was now studying me with open disgust. Her lips were curled into a mocking smile as she stepped closer to me, her eyes running the length of my body.

“Well, well,” she sneered. “I see you haven’t changed much since I last saw you. Still the same tacky sense of dressing, always looking out of place,” she taunted.

I arched my brow, refusing to mind her. Her smirk widened as she leaned in, sniffing the air around me suddenly. “I don’t smell your pheromones either, have you gotten a wolf yet? Is that it? Or does it mean you’re still just a pathetic little human?”

The words stung me and I had a thousand ready retort on the tip of my lips but I decided not to answer, keeping my expression neutral.

Not today, I told myself. Today is all about Father.

With a deep breath, I turned away from her, moving on to greet the next guest, trying to forget that the man who once made my heart race was standing behind me. Suddenly, I felt the briefest of touches against my palm, something sliding into my hand.

Startled, I looked down and saw a small slip of paper in my palm. I looked up, catching Ramsey’s eyes for the briefest of seconds before he continued into the hall with Cassidy. My heart raced as I looked at the folded note, my mind spinning with a lot of questions.

Deciding, I didn’t want to deal with this now, I slipped the note into the pocket of my dress.