The Alpha's Fated Outcast: Rise Of The Moonsinger. Chapter 263 263: A deal in the dark

Nathan

It was almost evening when I finally pushed back from my desk. The office was dimly lit – because I had asked the maids to bring down the curtains. I didn't want distractions while working - only the golden glow of the lamp illuminating the stacks of docunts I had been drowning in for the past few hours.

The day had dragged on endlessly—etings, phone calls, and mountains of paperwork regarding the acquisition of Shadow Moon Pack -Luna Vanessa's brother; Late Alpha Regan's pack - had taken more ti than I expected, and alongside it, other urgent matters demanded my attention.

They were all important, all necessary, but my mind remained fixated on one thing: Lyla.

Earlier today, I had been in the middle of a eting with investors, when I'd felt it – that unmistakable pull. The voice in my head which had been silent for a while suddenly ca alive. These days, I barely heard from my wolf, Ragnar. The voice had whispered urgently.

Go. Drive to the Northern Forest. Now.

At first, I ignored it. I was in the middle of important negotiations. But the voice had persisted, demanding I leave imdiately.

And so, when I finally got the chance, I listened.

True to my instincts, the mont I pulled up at the Northern Forest, I saw her—Lyla.

She erged from the trees. Despite how rough she looked and how her clothes looked like she had escaped a rogue's rampage, there was this glow about her that I couldn't quite place.

I had a lot of questions. First, what was she doing alone at the Northern Forests? Was this a ploy by Ramsey to trap ? Or was this the Moon Goddess delivering her straight to ?

But most important now was, I could finally have my coronation. For a few days now, I've delayed my coronation. First, on the day of the supposed coronation, I ca down with a strange illness that made the entire pack staff sleep until it was almost evening. Second, the items that needed to be used for the coronation had all been destroyed.

We wanted to rush it after waking up but everything had been destroyed, from the coronation ground to the materials that would be used for it. To make matters worse, no one had an idea who could be responsible.

Also, the Alphas were beginning to grow cold feet. Assuming we didn't take the blood oath, I'm sure a few of them would have pulled out by now but thankfully, I'd convinced the Alpha council that we needed to be more concerned about our security and make sure the Moonsinger was back to Blue Ridge, our security protocols were impenetrable and every one fine before we move on with anything.

But they all seem to think, Ramsey would show up at their doors one morning with blazing guns. Despite the number of tis, I've proven to them that Ramsey was a coward.

But now that Lyla was here?

There was no reason to wait anymore.

She was the Moonsinger, the missing piece to solidify my rule.

Tomorrow, everything will change.

As I made my way down the corridor leading to my bedroom, I noticed a figure dash out of my bedroom.

Clarissa.

Imdiately, suspicion ignited in my veins. What was she doing there?"

"Clarissa—"

Before I could question her, my assistant hurried toward .

"Alpha, the Alphas have arrived," he inford breathlessly. "They're requesting your presence imdiately."

I cast one last look in the direction Clarissa had fled, my mind racing with possibilities. What was she doing in my room?

I wanted to follow her or at least check the room to find out Lyla was fine but I decided against it. For one, I was too busy and secondly, why did the Alphas show up suddenly? Deciding I would deal with Clarissa later, I held back.

With a nod, I turned and followed my assistant to the main hall.

The tension in the room was thick, almost suffocating.

The Alphas of the strongest packs stood before , their expressions lined with agitation. Fear.

"Nathan," Alpha Dominic greeted , the oldest and most respected among them. "We have a situation."

"What kind of situation?" I asked, though I already had my suspicions.

"We each received this last night." Dominic held up an envelope bearing the seal of the White Mountain Region. "From Ramsey."

Alpha Calder stepped forward, his voice tight. "He's given us forty-eight hours to renounce our alliance with you, or face consequences."

"And that's not all," added Alpha Renwick. "The White Mountain Council has issued sanctions against each of our packs. They're freezing our assets, restricting our trade routes."

I smiled as they spoke, reaching into my jacket pocket to produce an identical envelope, already unsealed. I waved it casually before them.

"Is this what you're afraid of? A piece of paper? Really?" I laughed, "It took Ramsey all this while to make up his mind and send this. You think he would do anything?"

The Alphas exchanged uneasy looks, and I could sll their anxiety.

"Please, sit," I said, gesturing toward the long table. "I have news that might ease your concerns."

They followed hesitantly, taking their seats as I claid the head of the table.

"The Moonsinger is here," I announced, watching their expressions shift from worry to surprise. "At my Blue Ridge, as we speak."

"Lyla?" Alpha Calder asked. "Ramsey's mate?"

"Forr mate," I corrected, unable to keep the satisfaction from my voice. "She's chosen to align herself with us. Tomorrow, the coronation will proceed as planned, with her by my side."

That got their attention.

I continued smoothly. "Ramsey is bluffing. He doesn't have the resources or the support to challenge us directly. If he wanted to strike, he would have done it already. He's trying to scare us into submission. And the White Mountain Council?" I scoffed. "They don't have the backbone to back their threats. They're waiting to see who wins. And I promise you—we will."

They still looked doubtful.

So I assured them.

"I've prepared a military response team, ready to deploy to each of your territories tonight. Your packs will be safe."

I laid out the military response plan I had already put in place, detailing exactly how each of their packs would be protected.

One by one, I dismantled their fears until confidence replaced their hesitation. By the ti I'd finished outlining the security asures, the Alphas had visibly relaxed.

Afterwards, I decided to throw a mini-feast just for them. I ordered champagne, and lots of at, and also requested for Ogas for each of them. The mood imdiately shifted. The tension had worn out.

As the night wore on, glasses clinked, our laughter grew louder and we drowned our worries with alcohol.

By the ti the night had stretched toward midnight, they were rry, drinking and celebrating as though the war had already been won.

And I?

I was drunk.

It was nearly midnight when I bid them goodnight, stumbling slightly as I made my way back to my quarters. The whiskey had dulled my senses, but sowhere in the back of my mind, I wondered where Lyla had gone.

Where the hell was she?

I had spent the entire day without knowing where she had gone, and now that I was alone, the frustration gnawed at .

My room was dark when I pushed open the door. I fumbled against the wall, searching for the light switch when warm fingers closed around my wrist.

I froze, as Ragnar stirred inside of – strange- despite the alcohol. A silhouette moved in the darkness, and a familiar scent wafted up to my nostrils.

"Lyla?" I murmured.

She stepped closer, close enough that I could make out her smile in the dim light filtering through the windows. A soft smile played on her lips as she leaned into , pressing her body close.

"I've been waiting for you all day," she whispered, her fingers trailing over my chest. "Why didn't you co sooner?"

A shudder ran through at her touch. Her hand trailed up my arm, across my shoulder, coming to rest against my chest. Heat blood wherever she touched.

I reached for her instinctively, my hands finding her waist. "I'm sorry, I—I was busy…" I managed, shifting closer to her. I had to deal with so diplomatic issues.

She laughed lightly; her breath warm against my neck. "And now?" She pressed herself against , her fingers working at my tie. "Are you free now?"

Her fingertips roaming over my body, igniting desires in , I've suppressed for so long.

Then, her lips brushed against my ear, as she whispered.

"Do you want , Nathan?" she asked, her lips brushing my ear. "Do you want us to be together? Like really fuck … ehmm…"

The words sent a jolt through .

I let out a ragged breath, tightening my hold on her. "Lyla…"

"All I need is a yes or a no, Nathan. I know you're married to my sister and I respect that a lot. If you do not want …"

"Yes," I breathed before she finished speaking.

She pulled back slightly, looking into my eyes. "I'll beco your Luna, Nathan."

My breath caught.

She smiled. "But only if…" and trailed off. "Tomorrow, at your coronation, reject Clarissa publicly. Make your Luna instead."

"Clarissa?" I blinked, confused for a mont. "She was never—"

"Promise ," Lyla insisted, her fingers digging slightly into my shoulders.

"I promise," I said without hesitation. "How about Ramsey? What are we—"

"A forgotten story," she finished, her smile returning. "He ans nothing to now."

The way she said it—so certain, so final—made my heart race.