The Alpha’s Fated Outcast: Rise Of The Moonsinger

147 Manifestation II When my body volted awake , the first thing I noticed was the rough ground beneath me damp earth and scattered leaves pressing against my skin .

lot again , I thought as panic rose in my chest .

1 blinked rapidly as the towering trees around me blurred into my view .

I was in the forest again , no doubt .

I scrambled into a seating position , the dried leaves beneath me crinkling with my frantic movement .

My hands flew to my hair , clutching at the strands tightly as my fingers trembled .

My eyes darted around the clearing , trying to piece together the puzzle of how I had ended up here- again , My breathing was shallow and uneven .

Why how ? I stammered under my breath , my voice cracking with disbelief .

My chest heaved as I spun , searching for any clue that might ground me in reality .

A voice interrupted my spiralling thoughts .

Youre awake I whirled toward the sound , startled , my heart pounding like a drum .

Leaning casually against a nearby tree , his arms crossed , stood Lenny .

He had a calm , concerned , almost amused expression on his face .

* Lenny ? * I called out shakily .

What what are you doing here ? He pushed off the tree and walked over to where I was .

I could ask you the same thing , he said , offering his hand , but Im not interested in explanations right now , he added flatly , cutting off any excuse I might want to give .

I stared at his outstretched hand before tentatively placing my hand on his .

My fingers felt cold and stiff as he helped me to my feet and held me for a few seconds as I swayed slightly , still disoriented .

The last night shift patrol team found you out here , he continued in a clipped but not unkind tone .

Thankfully , they brought it to my attention before anyone else saw .

Were fortunate its still dawn and most of the pack is asleep .

You can sneak back into the pack house without questions .

His tone brooked no room for argument , so I nodded mutely .

Feeling my cheeks redden as I avoided his gaze .

Can you walk on your own ? Do you want me to hold you or carry you ? he asked .

I can walk I said quickly , although I still felt slightly dizzy .

Lets go then , he said , motioning me to follow .

< 147 Manifestation II We walked quietly but briskly , as I was desperate to avoid meeting anyone .

It would be hard to explain my mysterious state .

Just as we arrived at the pack house entrance , the door opened and Seth came out .

His gaze flickered between me and Lenny then back to me .

Without saying a word , he bowed curtly to us and then brushed past us , going his way .

Dont worry about Seth ! Lenny said quietly .

He wont say anything to anyone .

Now hurry and go to your room .

Thank you so much ! I nodded and fled into the pack house .

Back in my room , I moved with purpose .

I stripped off my dirty clothes , stuffing them into the sink to scrub away the evidence .

The earthy scent of the forest still clung to my skin , mixing with the faint metallic smell of blood from minor scratches I hadnt noticed earlier .

I washed the dirty clothes feverishly , one car trained to the door to pick up any movement .

I washed off the stains , restoring the dress to its original colour .

Throwing it into a bucket at the corner of the bathroom , I stepped into the shower .

Hot water cascaded over me , washing away the dirt and leaves and soothing my tense r but doing nothing to cleanse the confusion clouding my mind .

After washing off the worst of the grime , I wrapped myself in a soft bathrobe , my damp hair sticking to my shoulders .

I stared at my wet dress in the bucket , wondering what explanation to give on how it ended up wet .

After coming up with a few lies , I stepped out of the bathroom .

On cue , the door to my bedroom opened and Nanny entered , carrying a steaming cup of my morning medicine .

Good morning darling , she said brightly , smiling at me briefly before moving over to the vanity table where she set the cup and turned to me , her keen eyes scanning the length of my body .

How was your night ? Did you just bathe by yourself ? Good morning to you too , Nan and I had a wonderful night , … that was a lie .

My sassy wolf Nymeris tormented me in my sleep .

And I think living here is making you think youre some sort of princess .

Like I had a maid back in the human world or at Blue Ridge bathing me .

I said , avoiding Nannys gaze as I crossed the room to sit at the vanity .

Taking the cup in my hands , I sipped slowly , pushing the bitter taste down my throat .

She laughed and came to stand behind me , reaching for my brush and hair dryer on the vanity table .

It was the Lycan Leaders instructions .

He said he didnt want you doing anything with your hands .

The Lycan Leaders gave the instructions .

He didnt want you to use your hands .

The maids will be slightly disappointed to find youve done their work when they arrive today As if ! I winced after taking another sip .

I dont want to get spoilt .

The maids at Blue Ridge are my mothers henchmen .

Ill be getting poison ivy mixed in my bath if I ever demand that .

We laughed it off as Nanny slowly started to brush and dry my hair with practised care , just like she had always done when I was a teenager at Blue Ridge and while we still lived together in the human world .

I finished the medicine and closed my eyes for a moment , letting myself relax , but it was Sort lived and Nanny suddenly paused mid stroke .

From the mirror , I saw her nostrils flaring slightly as she sniffed the air , het brows furrowing smell blood , she murmured , her voice filled with concern .

My body stiffenedd , my grip tightening on the hand of the chair I sat on as 1 imitated her previous nent .

I smell nothing I said dismissively .

Hoping she wouldnt press further , but Nanny didnt seem like she was going to relent soon .

She continued sniffing the air , ignoring my reassurance that it was nothing .

Setting the brush and the dryer aside , she gently lifted my hair from my shoulder and pushed aside the collar of my robe .

Her sharp intake of breath gave me all the confirmation I needed : she had caught me .

I had noticed a small gash on my neck that had been bleeding a wound I had intended to treat after my bath , but Nannys arrival had suspended it .

How did this happen ? How did you get this she sounded hysterical .

I scrubbed too hard while I was bathing , but Im fine , Nan … Larranged my hair back in place .

Stop fretting over a little blood .

Im not a child .

Im 23 , And so ? You should walk around with open , bleeding gashes ? Does being 23 make you immune to pain and injuries ? What if it gets infected ? Will being an adult stop that ? She sounded like my mother .

Ill treat it , I mumbled .

Im going to ask you again ; how did you get this ? Tell me this instant , Lyla … I inhaled and exhaled .

I woke up in the forest .

I admitted , my voice barely above a whisper .

Like yesterday .

Her eyes widened as tears welled up in them .

Without another word , she pulled me into a tight embrace , her hands cradling my head as if she could shield me from whatever was happening .

Youll be fine , my dear , she murmured , her voice breaking .

Everything will be fine .

I pulled back , slightly surprised at her reaction as I searched her eyes .

Do you know why this keeps happening ? I asked , my voice trembling with both fear and hope .

Nanny averted her gaze , her lips pressing into a thin line .

Lets get you cleaned up first , she mumbled , avoiding my question .

She hurried out of the room and came back some seconds later with an emergency first aid kit .

Then she carefully began cleaning the gash on my neck before moving on to other bruises and scratches , tending to the ones on my arms and legs without meeting my gaze .

Youre killing me already .

If its something that I need to be worried about , wouldnt it be better to let me know ? Youll sleep in my room from tonight .

So , it means that whatever is happening to me doesnt have a cure ? I asked , staring at her .

She hesitated for a while before nodding .

It goes away by itself after a while .

34 TAT Mahabo Cant at least know what it is Whatever it is , I promise , Ill try to take it all in .

Just tell me ….

please … Not she shook her head , closing the first aid kit .

Im off to go see Mother .

Have a nice day With that , she walked out of my room , leaving me in the dark again .