The Alpha's Fated Outcast: Rise Of The Moonsinger. Chapter 255 255: The Dark one will gladly have you

Neriah

When I looked up, he watched intently and his eyes held…an emotion I could not explain.

"Let go!" I said through gritted teeth.

"No!" he shook his head. "Stay…" then turning to the crowd he said. "I Rian accept you as my mate, Neriah." And then he lowered his mouth and captured my lips.

The kiss had been so sudden but when I recovered, I pushed him away from , hating how compromised the whole thing was now. I turned to the pack mbers and saw them watching with disdain. It was bad enough that I was already the black sheep of the pack but this….?

Thas was their favourite pack child. Everyone loved him, cherished him and now I've hurt him. I'm sure no one considered that there was a s huge possibility that my father was behind this.

I remained in stony silence as we completed the engagent process by the end of the night, Rian presented with a ring as proof of our newfound engagent.

The night continued after that and after I left the stage in forced rrint. Laughter and music echoed, but I could only hear the faint ringing in my ears. I couldn't believe my father would crush with an announcent like that and put my life at a standstill.

I've tried to reach out to Thas but I cannot. Plus my dad had left strict orders with the sentry on duty around the clearing not to let go until the night was well spent. But now, I was standing alone again.

My so-called fiancée – the last ti I saw him was charming his way into the heart of an Alpha who was giggling like a girl. I needed to find him. If anyone could help it would be him.

My hands trembled at my sides as I weaved through the crowd. I was searching for Rian.

My heart pounded in my chest, each beat echoing louder with every step I took. The need to confront him clawed at my insides. I needed to stop this before it could begin – before my life was stripped away from completely.

I wanted Thas – Not Rian.

Finally, I spotted him standing near the edge of the clearing, half-hidden by shadows. He was deep in conversation with a group of n. His posture was relaxed – too relaxed for soone whose life had just been tired to a woman he'd never even t before tonight.

My throat tightened.

For a mont, I hesitated. Would he even care? Would he listen?

But the mory of his amused smile at the food table flickered in my mind – how he had spoken to without pretence or arrogance. Maybe… just maybe… he wasn't entirely like the others.

I forced my feet to move, stopping a few steps away from him.

"Rian."

He turned his head, those amber eyes finding his mind almost instantly. A slow, knowing smile crept onto his face as if he'd been waiting for .

"Neriah," his voice was smooth, low – dangerous. "I was starting to wonder when you'd co."

My heart shattered.

"You knew I would?"

His smile widened slightly. "I could see the horror written all over your face when your father called out your na and asked you to join us. I thought we had this instant chemistry and you'd like to be with a man like . I was hurt, still hurt."

My fingers curled into fists at my sides.

"Then you should know why I'm here."

He inclined his head, dismissing the n around him with a flick of his wrists. When they were gone, he took a slow step closer – close enough for to catch the faint scent of cedar and smoke clinging to him.

"I'm listening."

I swallowed hard, my pulse hamring in my throat. I glanced around quickly to make sure no one was paying attention to us before lowering my voice.

"You have to call it off."

He arched a brow, as amusent flickered in his eyes.

"Do I?"

"I'm not… I'm not yours to marry," I whispered fiercely. "I already have a mate."

For a brief second, sothing flickered in his gaze – too fast for to catch. Then his expression smoothed over into that sa infuriatingly calm mask.

"A mate?" he tilted his head, eyes glinting. "Where is he then?"

My heart squeezed painfully in my chest.

"He… he's not here."

He smiled. "How convenient."

Annoyance flashed through . "I'm telling you, Rian. This isn't right – for either of us. I already have a fated mate and I love him so much."

He leaned in just slightly, just so far enough that I'd be able to hear what he was saying.

"You think I have a choice in this?"

I blinked, caught off guard.

He searched my face for a long mont, then straightened, his expression was unreadable.

"I don't want this any more than you do, Neriah. I wasn't going to accept the proposal when my father told . But I wanted to give it a shot, that's why I t you before the introduction and now I want you more than ever. I also had a woman I've been engaged to be married to for five years."

"Then fight it," I pleaded, my voice cracking. "Refuse. If we both say no, they can't force us."

A muscle ticked in his jaw, but he remained silent. Sothing told this man wasn't as powerless as he claid to be. He was choosing to play along – but why?

My desperation clawed higher in my chest, threatening to spill over.

"Please," I whispered. I could feel tears burning in the corner of my eyes. "I can't do this. I love Thas so much. It's bad that I already hurt him with this and this is the only chance I have to redy the situation."

"Your father won't like that," he said quietly. "This marriage is not because we both want it. It's for the sake of our world."

"I want to put myself first," I cried. "I want to be happy first before I help my world."

Rian's gaze locked onto mine. For a mont, I thought he might relent – that he might agree to help . But then he leaned in close, his breath brushing against my ear.

"I don't owe you anything, Neriah." My heart clenched. "You will marry ," he murmured. "Whether you want to or not."

My breath caught painfully in my throat. He pulled back, his amber eyes glinting with sothing I couldn't quite place. Then he turned on his heel and walked away, leaving standing frozen in place. My chest ached, the rejection slicking through like a blade. Tears burned at the back of my eyes, but I swallowed them down.

No. I wouldn't cry – not here. Not now and surely not in front of him.

The night dragged on and I was forced to do rounds with Rian greeting the guest that ca over. By the ti the last of the guests began trickling out, my head was pounding and my body ached with exhaustion.

I thought I might be able to slip away unnocticed – but fate had other plans.

"Neriah."

When it turned it was my dad. His dark eyes locked onto like a predator closing in on its prey.

"Co."

"Dad, can't it wait. I am already…"

One stern gaze from was all it took for to follow behind him quietly. We walked towards the path that led to his office.l When we arrived, he entered and left the door open behind him – an unspoken order for to follow.

My hands curled into fists as my sides as I crossed the threshold.

The door clicked shut behind . For a long mont, there was only silence then my father broke it.

"You may not understand a lot of things, Neriah but all I ever want is your happiness. The Lycan's can protect you," he turned to face . "If what you have falls into the wrong hand, the fate of our world…"

"What I have?" I interrupted him. "This statent again, father. You always say this and then never bother telling what is this thing I have that would require I give up the love of my life for it. I love Thas, Dad… I want to be with him not so stuck up…"

"If you had listened to and not go ahead with accepting Thas, none of this would have happened."

"He is my fated mate, Father!" I scread, hating how he has selectively chosen to ignore that piece of information.

"And you're not ant to be with him. Rian will protect you from yourself and the future. You want to risk your life and the fate of this world over so tingling sensation in your heart? Rian will give you everything Thas can give you. All you need to do is…"

"No!" I shook my head, as tears started dstreaming down my cheek. "I don't want any man but Thas…"

"If you refuse Rian then the Dark One will gladly have you!"