The Alpha's Fated Outcast: Rise Of The Moonsinger. Chapter 86 86: Do you hate me?

Lyla

I scread and stumbled backwards.

Just as I felt myself slipping, strong hands reached out, steadying . I looked up, ready to bolt only to et Beta Jeremy's calm gaze. His expression softened as he pulled to my feet, still keeping close as his eyes surveyed the garden before he asked.

"Are you alright? Did you see sothing that frightened you?"

Quickly, I stepped back, straightening my clothes with shaking hands and avoiding his gaze. I was sure of what I had felt. "I'm sorry. I thought… I thought you were soone else."

Curiosity flashed through his eyes as he stared at . I know he had questions but he seed to think better of it and rely nodded, going with my explanation. He took a step back.

"Nathan was worried about you, so I ca to fetch you. Co with , we'll be leaving soon."

Without a word, I walked towards him and together, we fell into step beside each other. We walked in silence as we moved through the garden paths with only the light from the moon. I sneaked a look at Beta Jeremy, his hands were clasped behind him, his gaze fixed ahead… I wondered what he was thinking.

Since my return, there was this unspoken tension between us as if he was silently blaming for sothing. When we erged out of the garden, I stopped. Imdiately, he also stopped and turned to .

"I know you hate ."

He arched his brow for a mont, studying quietly. "What makes you think that?"

I wrapped my arms around myself as if I was trying to hold myself together. "Because I'm the reason Nathan was imprisoned for four years," I said. "You … you must hate for it."

The lines on his forehead flattened as a quiet smile crossed his face.

"I don't hate you, Lyla." He paused as if he was collecting his thoughts. "Was I angry with Nathan in the beginning for risking everything to keep you safe? Yes! I was frustrated that he got involved in the drama between you and your mate… but I didn't hate you and that's normal as a parent. You're like my daughter too, Lyla… I watched you grow up."

I was surprised at his words. Truly, I had expected a harsher response, so form of confirmation of my fears maybe, but he was gazing at warmly.

"Then why have you been acting awkward and distant? And in the car earlier, those icy looks you gave as if you resented …"

He signed, letting his guard slip. "It's not resentnt, Lyla. It's… caution," he hesitated, then continued. "Because I know you'll sway Nathan," he admitted. "And you already did. As much as I want to protect him from you, I cannot. He's headstrong and when it cos to you, I feel like no one can give him any advice. Seeing you together again… he shook his head, "I can only pray you'll be as good to him as you were before."

The honesty in his words and voice surprise . I stared at him, my mind racing. "You think I'd steer him wrong?"

He shook his head. "You'll get him involved with Alpha Ramsey again. Seeing that his Beta ca to the eting today, I know he's aware that you're around."

"But he ca because my mother requested it," I tried to counter.

"And you think those uptight Lycans would leave their duties and co for sothing as trivial as this? He didn't even have the decency to co to Pack house after your father was pronounced…" he swallowed hard, his features clouding with pain.

"Dead…" I whispered softly.

"Yes!" he nodded. "His Beta ca for you, Lyla. I don't know what's the story between you three and honestly, I am not interested but I need you to assure that you'll protect my son from Alpha Ramsey. He's ruthless… I've t a lot of people in my life… Alphas, Lycans from across the world but Alpha Ramsey is sothing else."

He sighed, looking off into the distance. When he looked back at , he wore a grimace.

"Alpha Ramsey doesn't look like soone who would give up anything he likes. He's like a child who will never allow anyone play with his toys."

"He's rejected already," I shook my head. "We agreed it was best. I am not the kind of woman he wants."

"I don't think that ant anything to him, Lyla!" Beta Jeremy chuckled. "He's not obessed with you either… he loves you… the sa way my Nathan does," he sighed. "You have to make it clear this ti around who you want, although I don't think Ramsey would give you options to choose another."

"He can't do that," I shook my head annoyed at the fact. "We don't an anything to each other and I can be with whom ever I wish to be."

"Then you'll go back to the human world?" he asked .

"As soon as we're done with father's burial," I nodded. "I already have life there and I intend to go back to it."

Beta Jeremy nodded quietly, without saying anything. By this ti, we had neared the front of the hall. Imidately, Nathan rushed over, grabbing by my shoulders as he pulled in for a hug.

"Are you okay now?" he murmured. "I was worried."

I saw the few people left staring at us curiously. Nathan was acting like I had just ca back from a war. I pushed away from him but he didn't let go. He still held my shoulders, staring intently at .

"Yes, I'm fine."

"Thank God!" he sighed, cupping my cheeks.

"Nathan!" I said through gritted teeth, getting uncomfortable with the whispering growing around us. "People are watching."

"Let them watch, Lyla…" he said with a belligerent smile "They've never seen a beautiful woman."

I blushed hitting slightly. "How can you say that?"

"Because it's true," he chuckled and tried to hug again, when his father's voice rang.

"I'm sure, Miss Lyla is tired from all the strain of the activities today. How about we go ho now?"

I shot Beta Jeremy a grateful smile.

Nathan rolled his hands, reaching instead for my hand this ti around as he steered towards the car. Just before he helped into the car, my eyes caught a familiar figure hiding at the treeline of the garden.

I didn't need to be told what it was and I as glad too, that I wasn't wrong about that at least.