The Alpha's Fated Outcast: Rise Of The Moonsinger. Chapter 360: The price of love

Ramsey

My heart constricted with emotions as I watched Lyla dozing off at the dining table.

Her head was lolling from one side to the other; she looked so exhausted that I wished I had a way to relieve her for a few seconds. My eyes strayed to the stomach, which seed normal to , and I was sad that I would not be here to experience the life I had created.

Rising to my feet, I went around the table and slowly lifted her into my arms, careful not to wake her. I crossed towards the bed and lay her gently, watching as one hand instinctively rested over her stomach.

If I had any doubts before, this was what gave the strength. And no matter what, I felt a sense of fulfilnt. I have a wife and two children. What more could I ask for?

I settled the covers over her body, drew the curtains to block out the rays of light, and slipped out of the room. When I ca outside the corridor, I saw Lenny waiting for . He was sitting on his heels, and he had a troubled expression on his face.

As soon as he saw , he straightened imdiately and ca to . "Where are you going to?"

"To et with Circe," I scoffed, trying to walk past him, but he blocked my path. "She insisted I think about it, and I have. I’m going to give her a response."

"And what will it be?" he asked.

"What else would it be, Lenny? I choose my wife and my kids. I can’t have an entire dynasty being wiped away because..."

"No!" Lenny shook his head. "Please, there’s got to be so way. What about ? What will happen to when you die? I am supposed to die before you do, and you know that? Our bond states I must protect you with everything. Let die in your place, because I won’t be able to bear the pain that cos from..."

"Are you indirectly asking to sleep with my wife?"

"What?" his eyes darted with confusion. "Of course not, I’m just saying..."

I laughed, feeling better sohow. "I was just kidding. We should hear what Circe has to say first before we draw conclusions."

I pushed him to the side and continued walking towards the floor where Circe was. I was also eting with Nanny there.

"You’re late," Circe said, looking up the mont I entered. Miriam and Terra were already seated. They seed to be in a discussion."

"I had to make sure she sleeps first," I explained. "So, tell , what needs to be done?"

"Have you made your decision?" Terra asked. It wasn’t a question.

I closed the door behind and took the empty seat across from her. Lenny stood at the entrance, hovering. I could feel his anxiety and his fear through our bond, but I blocked it out. I didn’t want to get swayed.

"I already made my decision that day. Asking to think it through again... It’s not necessary."

"I understand your need for chivalry, but giving your life for your mate is serious," Terra said. "It’s a big sacrifice, and there are chances you may never be reincarnated again. Because this would be the final battle."

"You guys," I sighed. "Is it going to be possible or not for to go in her place? I don’t care about that. I want people to look at Lyla nd my children and say ’that’s the Late Lycan Leader’s son and that’s his wife. I’ll be content."

Circe was studying ; her beautiful eyes were filled with pain. "Are you certain, Ramsey?" she asked eventually. "Once you begin this path, there’s no turning back."

"I’m certain," I nodded. "Lyla cannot die. Our children cannot die. If there’s a way to take her place over and over again, I’ll do it."

The three won exchanged a glance before Miriam nodded. "I was willing to do it, but you’re the only one who can at his point take her place. Your bond had made both of you one."

"Tell what it will cost," I said quietly. "No riddles, just specifics and enough of this pity talk. It’s irritating . I am not doing this for our world, honestly... I think they don’t deserve it as much. I am doing it because of the woman I love, and I cannot..." I paused as a sad emotion flickered to the surface.

"I cannot grieve, Lyla. Call selfish, but her death would be my end. It’s better if I go first, and Lyla will get over . She doesn’t love as much, I’m sure of that, and the babies would keep her busy."

Silence reigned in the room, broken by Lenny’s angry tone.

"I’m not going to be a part of this. I will tell, Lyla. She won’t like this. Maybe there’s a way she could defeat the Dark One and still stay alive."

Circe rose to her feet. "There’s no way, Lenny and I know you’d want it the other way, but you’ll suffer more if your Alpha sinks into the worst of grief. You have no idea how draining that would be."

"And his death won’t be worse?" Lenny fired back. "I’m already going through bouts of painful heartaches, from the thought of watching him die, and you want to..."

"Is there anything you can do about him?" I interrupted Lenny, staring pointedly at Circe. "If Lyla knows what I’m about to do, it’ll ss my plans up."

Before Lenny could react and reach for the door, Circe threw him a bolt of white fla, and he fell to the ground. "That will keep him unconscious for a few hours. The High Priestess can perform a binding spell on him and keep him locked up until after everything."

"Better, now where did we stop?"

Circe nodded as she continued. "It’s not my place to explain the end, I can only tell you the path."

"Then give the path."

"The path requires a willing sacrifice from soone who shares a deep soul bond with the Moonsinger. A mate bond is the strongest connection possible."

"And?"

"You must willingly transfer your life force to bind the Dark One permanently to the underworld. Originally, when the fight between the Moonsinger and the Dark One begins, portals in the underworld open and prepare to accept their death. The Moonsinger’s blood seals the gate. Her life ends the curse, unlike the previous Moonsingers."

"But what if there’s no way to make the gate believe it’s Lyla’s blood?" Terra asked suddenly.

"It would," Circe gave her a reassuring smile. "As a part witch, I know how powerful blood ties are and how potent the mate bond between werewolves and Lycans is. He doesn’t need to worry about his identity. He reeks of Lyla even now. It will work."

"And what will happen to Lyla afterwards. This is a guarantee that she will have a normal life, right?"

"Yes," Circe nodded. "She will live, the children will live. The prophecy will be fulfilled, but through a different sacrifice. All you need to do is ensure Lyla initiates the process. When the twin moon senses her powers, just before she would finish off the Dark One, you step in."

"Okay, that ans I’ll need to be close to her at all tis. Noted!"

However, you must understand—this isn’t simply death, Ramsey. Your soul will be bound to the Dark One for eternity. You’ll exist, but not in any realm where Lyla could ever reach you."

The thought of never seeing Lyla again, never holding our children, never watching them grow up—it was agony. But the alternative was losing them all.

"She’ll hate for this," I said quietly.

"She’ll hate you for lying to her more than she’ll hate you for saving her," Circe replied with surprising wisdom. "But she’ll understand eventually. A mother’s love for her children is powerful enough to forgive even this."

I leaned back in the chair, running my hands through my hair. "When do we begin the preparation?"

"Tonight. The ritual must be perford during the peak of the twin moons tomorrow night. Bring a droplet of her blood in this." She stretched out a tiny container. "Put it inside this container. That gives us one day to prepare your soul for the binding. There are purification rites, protective wards to place on Lyla so she doesn’t accidentally interfere, and the binding circle to construct."

"What do I tell her?"

Circe’s expression softened. "As little as possible. Let her believe we’re preparing for the original prophecy. Let her think she’ll be the one making the sacrifice. It will be easier for everyone if she doesn’t know until the mont of truth."

The deception felt like poison in my veins, but I knew she was right. If Lyla knew what I planned, she’d fight every step of the way. She’d try to stop , put herself in danger, risk our children’s lives. I couldn’t allow that.

"Will she be able to feel it? When it happens?"

"The mate bond will break," Circe said gently. "She’ll feel that. But by then, it will be too late to change anything."

I nodded, steeling myself for what was to co. "And the pack? Who will lead them after I’m gone?"