The Alpha's Fated Outcast: Rise Of The Moonsinger. Chapter 331: Changing Traditions

Lyla

I stood at the head of the war room table, pointing at the map where we'd marked the last known location of the Dark One's forces. "We need scout patrols along these three ridges," I insisted. "If we can identify his new host early enough, we might be able to prevent another full-scale attack."

"The east ridge is still too exposed," I continued, dragging my finger across the parchnt. "If he cos through the Vale, we'll be cornered between the cliffs and our own camps."

"We haven't picked up anything from him in six days, Lyla. How about you take it easy and rest? We have already planned out the strategy for an unexpected attack. We have the numbers now and are ready."

I didn't look up. "That's exactly what he wants. Lull us into stillness. Make us soft."

Clarissa crossed her arms. "He's not stupid. He won't charge unless he's sure he can break us."

"That's why we need to stay unpredictable," I said. "We keep rotating the scouts. Every two hours. And I want the eastern watchtower reinforced—double sentries."

Nanny sighed. "You've barely eaten; more than anyone, you need your strength. Just because you're a Moonsinger doesn't an you're immune to rest."

I bristled at being spoken about as if I were a baby in the midst of grown-ups. "I'm perfectly capable of determining what I should and shouldn't be doing."

"With all due respect," Caius added carefully, "you've been pushing yourself too hard since Nathan's funeral. Even warriors need rest between battles, and we need you more than any of the warriors. But we won't be able to make the most of your power if the Dark One should attack now and you're exhausted."

Luna Vanessa nodded in agreent. "Lyla, please. You need to slow down. Else you'll burn out."

"So what? It is resting and slowing down that got us to this stage. This war has lingered longer than it should have, and I am tired of waiting. If you cannot support , I will do it with or without your help."

The room went quiet for a heartbeat as everyone stared at before Lenny cleared his throat gently.

"What she ans is…."

"No," I cut in. "They know exactly what I an. I won't sit around and play guessing gas while the world prepares to burn."

Their concern irritated more than I cared to admit. Yes, I was tired, and yes, the pregnancy was draining my energy faster than expected. But sitting idle while waiting for the next attack felt worse than exhaustion.

"Wars are not won with prophecies," I said sharply, "but by real fighting, not behind the tales of old, blind won."

The room fell silent. I imdiately regretted my harsh words, especially when I saw the hurt flash across Nanny's face. She had been trying to explain more about the prophecy to recently, about my heritage and responsibilities as a Moonsinger, but it was all vague.

Ramsey cleared his throat, breaking the awkward silence. "Since we have key leaders from each Werewolf and Lycan pack present, there's sothing else we need to discuss." He straightened, his presence filling the room. "Blue Ridge Pack needs a new Alpha. It's not wise to leave them without leadership during these uncertain tis."

He turned toward Luna Vanessa and Clarissa, who sat together near the centre of the table. "What are your thoughts on this matter?"

Clarissa, dressed in mourning robes since Nathan's death, looked up. "We'd prefer to hear others' suggestions first."

Elder Eldric spoke up imdiately. "Since Luna Clarissa is pregnant with Nathan's child, Ramsey could appoint an Alpha Regent until the baby cos of age. That would maintain the bloodline's claim."

"That could take decades," objected Alpha Hayes from Stone Hill Pack. "Blue Ridge needs strong leadership now, not twenty years from now."

"What about Beta Jeremy?" suggested Lenny. "Nathan's father has been effectively running the pack alongside his son since Alpha Logan's death anyway."

Others chid in with their own ideas—so proposing rging Blue Ridge with one of the packs in the south, others suggesting council leadership until a suitable Alpha erged naturally.

When they had all spoken, Luna Vanessa nodded thoughtfully. "Thank you all for your input." Her voice was asured and dignified. "As an Elder of Blue Ridge and the widow of Alpha Logan, I've made my decision. Our children will rule in their father's stead."

A lot of the people present nodded their heads in agreent, and I smiled when I saw that most of them assud she was speaking about baby Logan, her infant son with Alpha Logan—my stepbrother.

"If Clarissa gives birth to a son," asked Gamma Darius's replacent, "wouldn't that create conflict over the Alpha seat? Two potential heirs from different bloodlines?"

Luna Vanessa shook her head firmly. "By right, the seat is supposed to pass through Alpha Logan's direct bloodline. Instead of appointing a regent, my daughter Clarissa will rule as Alpha."

The room fell silent as her words registered in everyone's minds. Clarissa straightened in her chair. Despite being pregnant, she still looked regal and very much the Luna that she is.

"Clarissa?" Elder Eldric finally sputtered. "But she's..."

"Perfectly capable," Luna Vanessa finished for him. "She's well-versed in pack affairs and possesses an Alpha wolf. She is more suited to be Alpha than any regent."

At this point, the room was filled with tension. While female Alphas weren't unheard of, they were rare in traditional packs like Blue Ridge, which had never had a woman rule them. The closest a woman had co to being involved in pack politics in Blue Ridge was a Gamma, and that was years ago.

Ramsey leaned forward. "What happens when Nathan's child grows up? Knowing their father was the previous Alpha, how will you address that?"

"None of Nathan's children will rule as Alpha," Luna Vanessa stated firmly.

Clarissa nodded. "To clarify my mother's point, my child will beco Beta to my little brother when the ti cos, as it should have been originally. The pack will no longer be ruled by sentint. An Alpha wolf or a Luna wolf will lead the pack. Not a Beta, not a Gamma."

"A woman leading Blue Ridge?" One of the older Elders scoffed. "That's not how things are done."

Nanny rose from her seat, I could tell the Elder's statent pissed her.. "And what has n's rule brought us but tears and regrets? Won have led the Moon Temple for centuries and managed perfectly well." Her voice grew stronger with each word. "Perhaps it's ti for this dichotomy to end. An heir is an heir, regardless of whether they're male or female. As long as they have the basic requirent—possessing an Alpha or Luna wolf and being the firstborn true child of the Alpha—they deserve to hold the position."

I nodded, surprised to find myself agreeing wholeheartedly with my mother. "I like that approach. It's sensible and fair."

The room erupted in conflicting voices—so supportive, others outraged at the challenge to tradition. Argunts flew back and forth until Ramsey raised his hand, commanding silence.

When quiet fell, he looked around the room thoughtfully. "It's a splendid idea," he said finally. "Our world has changed dramatically in recent months. Perhaps it's ti our leadership traditions evolved as well."

He stood. "From this mont forward, all werewolf packs are free to choose whom they want as their Alpha. After this war, they will be granted autonomy from the White Moon Throne."

Gasps and murmurs filled the room as the significance of his announcent sank in.

"This ans," Ramsey continued, "that werewolf packs will be free to make their own decisions and laws. They will be regarded as allies of the White Moon Throne rather than subjects." He paused, letting his words settle. "This division of power and lack of self-determination is what started our current troubles in the first place."

The announcent sent a wave of excitent through the room, particularly among the representatives from smaller packs. Centuries of tradition were being rewritten before our eyes, and most seed to welco the change.

I studied Ramsey with new appreciation. This wasn't a decision made lightly or impulsively. He must have considered it for so ti, perhaps since learning from everything that has happened so far.

"I believe that concludes our business for today," I said, suddenly exhausted. "eting adjourned."

As people filed out, discussing Ramsey's announcent, I remained at the table, gathering my notes. The room gradually emptied until only Ramsey and I remained.

I walked over to where he stood by the window, gazing at the training grounds below.

"That was unexpected," I said quietly. "Granting autonomy to the packs."

He turned to with a quiet expression. "It's long overdue. The centralised power structure has created resentnt for generations. It's better to have willing allies than reluctant subjects."

I nodded, then took a deep breath. The mont I'd been dreading and postponing had arrived. "Ramsey, I need to tell you sothing important."

He turned to fully, "What is it?"

My hand moved unconsciously to my stomach—a gesture that had beco habit lately. It was now or never.