The Alpha's Fated Outcast: Rise Of The Moonsinger. Chapter 75 75: Lyla Woodland is back

Cassidy.

I sat at the dining table of White Lake Packhouse – my pack, chewing on my perfectly manicured nails – a habit my mother spent years trying to break.

I was nervous.

The late afternoon sun streaming through the tall windows did nothing to warm the chill in my mom's voice as she paced across the room, her voice rising and falling with each word. As always, my father stood at the corner of the room, arms crossed, his face impassive…

He wasn't saying much, which I wished he would at tis when my mother went on and on… but as always, he was dedicated to supporting his mate, no matter what.

"Have you no sha, Cassidy?" My mother snapped, staring at with disapproval. "You're not doing enough, that's why Alpha Ramsey still hasn't made you his Luna and do you know why?"

I just stared at her.

"Because you're failing to do your duty as a woman. A real woman would have him eating from the palm of her hand, ready to risk everything for her. But here you are… a glorified mistress… the so-called Luna of the White Moon Throne… engaged for four years and counting with no sign of ever getting married."

"He will marry !" I said quietly, wringing my fingers as there was nothing left to chew on.

"When?" my mother asked turning round to face . "I warned you against going to live with him at the White Moon Packhouse but of course, you ignored . Never, has your so-called mate-to-be ever co to see us. Not even a courtesy visit."

"He's always busy, mother!" I said quietly, daring to et her eyes. "He's the Lycan Leader… protector of our world. You think he'll…"

"Oh, shut up!" my mother hissed, "This is exactly why he looks down on you, on our family. You're nothing but a weakling. You're not making yourself desirable enough and yet you wonder why he hasn't made you his Luna?"

My eyes darted to my father but he wouldn't intervene. He never did.

"That nonsense from four years ago about bad luck falling on our world because of your marriage to him? Well… isn't it over two years?" My mother laughed bitterly. "I told you it was a lie."

"I've tried, mother!" I cried, trying to mask the frustration in my voice. "I'm trying. But Ramsey… he doesn't love . It's as simple as that. Maybe he just… maybe he just doesn't care the way he should!"

Her eyes flashed as she clenched her fists and ca to . "Love?" her voice was cold as ice. 'You think love has anything to do with this? Love is for fools, Cassidy Thorne. For little girls who settle for the bare minimum. Oh! You think it's love that has kept our world together through the power of the White Moon Throne?"

I shook my head, lowering my gaze. "I've done everything I can…"

"Done Everything?" her lips curled into a sneer. "You've done nothing! Look at you." she gestured at . "You're the most beautiful woman in the White Mountain Region. The most desirable of all. There isn't a man alive who wouldn't want you, who would turn you down. If Ramsey Kincaid doesn't, you're doing sothing wrong!"

Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes. "I've tried everything you told . "I've worn all those slutty dresses you sent . The perfus, the oils. I've seduced him in every way I could think of. I've tried to be exactly who you told to be, mother. But he's… distant. He's always distracted."

"Then make him do it!" she slamd her hands on the table, causing the crystal glasses to rattle. "If you have to spike his drink then do it. I don't care if you tie him to the bed and fuck him yourself until he gives you an heir...then do it!"

My eyes widened with surprise at her words. My mom is a proper and pri woman… to see her telling to do these things.

"I can't just spike his drink or go into his room as I please. He's the Lycan Leader and…"

"He. Has. A. Cock!" she punctuated her words. "He's a man and you've slept with him before. You will be Luna of the White Moon Throne, Cassidy Thorne, I don't care what it takes or what you have to sacrifice. It's enough that they laugh at our backs because of your mistakes… the only way you can fix it is to give him reasons to marry you, finally."

My throat clenched, as I tried not to cry. Crying will only make her angry.

My father stepped forward attempting to intervene. "Darling, maybe…"

But my mother rounded on him, ignoring him completely. "You're weak, Cassidy. You're not like or your father. The Thorne's are known for their grith. We are takers."

"Yeah, sure!" I plucked a grape from the fruit tray on the table. "Sorry, I'm not like you!"

"Do you know how much we've invested in you?" my mother spat, her eyes blazing at . "We gave you everything. The best education, the finest clothes, a life of comfort. I moulded you into a woman of elegance and power fit for the White Moon Throne, not married to so random Lycan Alpha – and here you are, unable to charm a man into making you his Luna. What a disappointnt."

I felt my cheeks burn with sha. "Mother," I whispered, my voice cracking as I struggled to hold back my tears. "He said we'll marry soon. I'm doing my best."

Her harsh laugh cut off. "Your best? If this is your best, Cassidy, it's pathetic. If you think Ramsey's going to marry you after all these years, you're delusional. He's paraded you as his Luna, kept other suitors away and still hesitates? Still delays? He's having second thoughts."

Her voice dropped to a whisper. "When a man wants you, he moves heaven and earth to have you. n will kill just to be with a woman they love. I've seen it happen a lot of tis."

My thoughts strayed imdiately to Lyla and all the things Ramsey has done all these years just to find her. The devotion in his eyes whenever he gazes at her picture in the magazine from that gala night.

My fingers trembled and I clenched them into fists steadying myself, desperate to stop the heaviness that settled in my chest.

"What… what do you want to do?" I finally choked out.

My mother's lips pressed into a thin line, her eyes glittering dangerously. "Trap him. If he won't marry you, a pregnancy would solve everything,". She straightened smoothing her designer dress. "I'll find sothing you can use to knock him, out, make it seem like a wild night of passion…"

"If I'm caught…"

"You will not be caught if you do it right." She stopped with a glare. "You have until the next full moon. If you're not carrying Ramsey Kincaid's child by then, you're no daughter of mine and don't bother coming back to ."

With that, she turned on her heel and stord out of the room, her footsteps echoing down the hall.

I placed my forehead on the dining table and began to sob. I've never felt so defeated, so helpless, so ashad of myself. My father approached quietly, laying a gentle hand on my shoulder.

I looked up, trying to compose myself.

"Father," I whispered. "I've tried everything. But Ramsey… he doesn't even look at ."

My father's face softened as he gazed at thoughtfully. "When a man is like that, it could an there's another woman. Is there sothing else? Maybe a maid or his heart belongs sowhere else?"

My lips parted and for a mont, Lyla's na was on the tip of my tongue. If my mother knew of Lyla, if everyone knew, I'd lose everything. My mother would turn on with even more disdain, I would lose my relevance to Ramsey and he would likely take the chance to cut off once and for all.

I shook my head. No! My continued silence to always be by his side.

As I was about to make up an excuse, there was a knock on the door of the dining room.

A guard from the White Moon Pack – Ramsey's pack entered.

He was under my payroll. He worked with Ramsey and brought information about everything.

"Luna," he bowed his head curtly.

"What is it?" my father asked, straightening and folding his hands behind his back.

The guard's gaze flitted from him and back to . "Luna Cassidy … I have news you need to hear imdiately. "It's about…her."

My heart skipped a beat. Talk about the devil. But I forced myself to keep my expression neutral as I dismissed my father with a quiet nod.

"I was leaving anyway. I have lots of matters to attend to," he said squeezing my shoulder once before leaving us alone.

As soon as the door closed, I turned to the guard, my heart pounding with fear. "Tell ," I demanded clutching the edge of the table.

The guard ca closer, casting a quick look over his shoulder before lowering his voice into a whisper.

"Lyla Woodland… is back."