The Alpha’s Fated Outcast: Rise Of The Moonsinger

Lyla

Cassidy was quiet for a few seconds, and then she spoke. "He says, he would grant you your utmost desires to prove his sincerity…

"To prove his sincerity?" I laughed dryly. "That's a contradiction. The man I know doesn't know what that word means. Go back to your master and tell him I am not interested in completing the ritual with him and that we should fight already and get on with our lives if any of us remain alive after everything."

"He said, he'll have Nathan delivered to you, personally," Cassidy rushed on as if she was trying to convince me. "Isn't that what you want?"

"And what do you think I am? A sacrificial lamb? You have no idea what Xander wants, believe me. He has this theory of making everyone equal and that's fucking impossible you know that. He's brainwashed you, Cassidy, and that's fine, but I'm good over here. Tell Xander that we should fight; the winner takes it all."

"Consider all the…" Cassidy started saying again, but Ramsey interrupted her.

"I don't trust you, Cassidy. Not after you tried to kill Lyla. What makes you think we're interested in hearing whatever it is you have to say?"

"I've already explained that!" she sighed. I had to make it look convincing for the Dark One! He's evil, and I had no choice."

"You could have considered that when you started meeting with him, and please don't tell me you did it because you wanted me to be with you. I'm tired of that weak explanation," Then Ramsey sighed. "We're done here."

I turned away, ready to leave with Ramsey and Caius, who flanked me protectively. Something about Cassidy's desperation seemed off—too performative, too practised.

In that instant, a blur of motion caught my peripheral vision. A massive wolf bolted from the woods behind Cassidy, launching itself directly at Ramsey. The impact sent him crashing to the ground before any of us could react.

Ramsey immediately rolled and sprang to his feet, shifting partially to his Lycan form. Beside him, Caius completed a full transformation, his massive Lycan form positioning itself between us and the attacker.

Our hidden warriors emerged from their positions all around the clearing, with their weapons ready.

I stared at the wolf, and instantly I recognised it. "Ramsey, wait! It's Nathan!"

True to my words, the wolf's form blurred and shifted, revealing Nathan in his human form. He stood with his almost torn clothes, a chilling smile spreading across his face as he approached Ramsey.

"Go ahead," Nathan taunted. "Do your worst, Lycan Leader? You let me get away last time, but I will assume it's because you were scared."

Ramsey's jaw tightened, but he made no move to attack.

"What's wrong?" Nathan continued, circling closer. "Afraid to get your hands dirty? Or just afraid?" He laughed coldly. "You've always been weak, Ramsey. Playing by the rules, respecting traditions. Look where it's gotten you—constantly fighting defensive battles, losing ground with every attack."

"You're not this bold in reality, Nathan Tanner. I know something has taken over you, even though you've refused to admit it."

Nathan laughed. "Certainly not the Dark One, Ramsey. I told you, I'm too big to serve him. I didn't get the Ferals from him either. You can get Ferals, but that's not the main issue. We both know you won't attack me. You wouldn't want to offend your dearest Lyla by harming her old friend."

"Nathan!" I called out, hoping to break through whatever hold the Dark One or whatever had on him. "Listen to me! You need to come to your senses!"

He turned toward me, his expression changing instantly. Then he sauntered in my direction with that same disturbing smirk on his face.

Before anyone could stop him, he grabbed my jaw, as his fingers dug painfully into my skin, forcing me to look into his eyes. They weren't Nathan's eyes anymore—they glowed differently.

"I'm going to kill Ramsey," he said conversationally, as if discussing the weather. "And you'll do nothing about it. You can't. You never could stand to see me hurt, could you, Lyla?"

"This isn't you," I hissed through clenched teeth. "Fight it, Nathan!"

He brushed off my words with a dismissive laugh. "I am very much me, Lyla. You know, I was so sure I wanted you, you were the reason I started this fight in the first place, but now, I cannot wait to be rid of all the Lycans in the world and their oppression. Acting like demi-gods when they can fucking die."

With a casual flick of his fingers, Nathan gave a signal. Immediately, Ferals came out from the forest behind him—dozens, then hundreds of them, flowing from the trees like a nightmare made flesh.

"Nathan, stop!" Cassidy ran towards him. "You cannot let yourself go and be consumed by your desires. If Lyla can give him what he wants, we'll be fine. Make them go back! This wasn't the plan!"

"Plans change," Nathan replied without looking at her. "I'm tired of waiting."

He moved behind me, one hand gripping the back of my neck, forcing me to face forward where Ramsey stood, surrounded by our warriors. Caius had positioned himself directly in front of Ramsey; He was still in his Lycan."

The Ferals continued to pour from the forest, their numbers increasing by the second. Our warriors formed defensive positions, awaiting Ramsey's command to attack, but he held his hand up, stopping them. His eyes locked with mine across the clearing, something unspoken passing between us.

"Look at your mighty Alpha now," Nathan whispered in my ear. "So concerned with your safety that he won't even defend himself. That's the problem with love, Lyla. It makes you vulnerable. It makes you weak."

As Nathan continued to spew his poisonous words, I touched the silver knife concealed against my thigh. I'd brought it as a precaution; I didn't think I would be using it now. I didn't even think I would need it for Nathan now.

"When I kill him," Nathan continued, "I'll make it slow. I want you to watch as the life drains from his eyes. I want you to know that your precious mate died because of you—because you weren't strong enough to do what needed to be done."

The Ferals had advanced closer to our warriors, who maintained their positions despite being heavily outnumbered. Ramsey still hadn't given the order to attack, his eyes never leaving mine.

In that moment, a strange calm washed over me. I knew what I had to do. With one fluid motion—a move I'd practised countless times in training—I slipped my hand to my thigh, unsheathed the knife, and twisted in Nathan's grip.

The blade sank into his chest before he could react. His eyes widened in shock, the blue glow flickering as blood bloomed across his bare skin.

"Lyla..." His voice was suddenly Nathan's again, the Dark One's influence momentarily broken by the shock of being stabbed.

"I'm sorry," I whispered, tears filling my eyes as I pushed the knife deeper. "I'm so sorry, Nathan."

He stumbled backwards, looking down at the blade in disbelief. The knife sank deep into Nathan's chest, the blade slipping between his ribs with surprising ease. Time seemed to slow as his eyes widened in shock. The unnatural blue glow flickered, like a candle caught in a sudden draft.

His legs buckled. I moved instinctively to catch him, guiding his body to the ground as blood spread across his bare skin. My hands trembled as I cradled him, tears already blurring my vision.

"Nathan," I whispered, pressing my palm against the wound in a futile attempt to stop the bleeding.

Everything seemed to come to a halt around us. The Ferals halted their advance, confused, without their master's command. Ramsey signalled our warriors to hold position, though his eyes never left us.

Nathan's gaze fixed on me, and I saw the blue light fading from his eyes. The usual hazel colour returned—Nathan's eyes, not whatever had held him captive.

"You're back," I choked out, hope and grief tangling in my chest. "Nathan, stay with me."

He coughed, blood speckling his lips. "About time," he rasped, a ghost of his old smile appearing. "Thought you'd never figure it out."

"I'm so sorry," I sobbed, pulling him closer. "I didn't want to hurt you."

Nathan's bloody hand rose to my cheek; his touch was surprisingly gentle. "Glad it was you," he whispered. "Always should have been you."

"Don't talk," I urged him. "We'll get help. I'll heal you."

He shook his head slightly, wincing at the movement. "No. This is right. I'm tired, Lyla." His breathing grew more laboured. "So tired of fighting the voice. Every day... every minute... it was like drowning while someone else used my body."

Tears streamed down my face, falling onto his chest where they mingled with his blood. "You should have told me. I could have helped sooner."

"Couldn't. It was... too strong." Nathan's eyes drifted toward the sky, a curious peace settling over his features. "You know what's strange? I can't feel him anymore. He's gone."

"Tell my father... I'm sorry," Nathan murmured, his voice growing fainter. "Tell him I tried to be strong."noveldrama

"You were strong," I insisted. "Stronger than anyone knew."

A faint smile touched his lips. "Remember when we were kids? You always said... you'd protect me from monsters." His laugh turned into a wet cough. "Guess you kept your promise."

The light in his eyes was fading, his grip on my hand loosening. "I love you, Lyla. I swear, I love you so much and I wouldn't have chosen a better way to die than this."

His chest rose with one final, shuddering breath, then stilled. The hand against my cheek slipped away, falling lifelessly to his chest.

"Nathan?" I whispered, though I knew he couldn't hear me anymore.