The Alpha's Fated Outcast: Rise Of The Moonsinger.-Chapter 299 - 38 hours to the war...

Lyla

"Too tight!" I murmured, already feeling the air leave my lungs.

Finally, Ramsey lets me go. While I was still trying to take deep, restorative breaths, he captured my lips again, kissing me with so much fervour that my heart stopped beating. When we pulled apart, he held me for a few minutes, staring at me before he placed another kiss on my forehead.

Then, still holding me by his side, practically tucking me to his side, he turned and faced the small crowd that had gathered around us. They all looked embarrassed on our behalf.

"Who did this?" Ramsey growled, searching the faces in the crowd as if the offender would suddenly come forth to confess. But I knew better. Whoever did this would not stand here afterwards, waiting for us to make up our minds about whether or not we'd expose them.

"Alpha," Lenny came forth, and every gaze turned to him. Thank the goddess that Luna Lyla is fine, but we need to move," he urged. Whoever did this could still be watching. They might try again. We should take her to a safe place."

"I'll have the crime and investigation department analyse the scene," Gamma Dairus said.

"Don't worry about that," Lenny said quietly, facing him. "I already gave instructions for that to be done. You'll agree with me that, unless proven otherwise, the only persons who are not guilty are Luna Lyla and Alpha Ramsey. The rest of us are suspects."

"What rubbish are you unto, Beta?" Gamma Dairus scoffed.f "It's my jurisdiction, not yours. You're supposed to be licking the Alpha's arse not trying to be intelligent."

"I lick his arse well, by the way. Perhaps that's the reason he's had me around this long. The investigation would be carried out by a third party to ensure transparency. A threat to the Luna's life threatens everything we hold dear and truth."

"You cannot…"

"He's right, Gamma Dairus," Ramsey interrupted. "Someone tried to kill my mate, right in my pack. I wouldn't trust my father to carry out the investigations if he were still alive. We'll get it handled, don't worry. Go and check our security posts and make sure everything is alright."

For a moment, Gamma Dairus glared at Lenny, who returned the favour equally before bowing stiffly to Ramsey and moving away. There was this fierce rivalry between them that I didn't understand. When he was gone, Lenny turned to us.

"Let's get out of here."

Ramsey nodded, keeping his arm around me as we hurried toward the pack office building. Guards flanked us on all sides, their eyes constantly scanning for threats.

Once inside, Ramsey guided me to his office—the most secure room in the building. Lenny followed, already speaking rapidly into his radio, organising search parties to hunt for the saboteur.

"This was planned," Ramsey said, pacing like a caged animal. "Someone inside our territory planted that bomb."

"A spy?" I asked, the implications making my blood run cold.

"Has to be," Lenny confirmed. "The question is, who?"

I sank into a chair, my legs suddenly weak as adrenaline ebbed. "If Nathan has spies inside White Mountain, we're more vulnerable than we thought."

Ramsey knelt before me, taking my hands in his. "I'm doubling your security detail. You don't go anywhere alone from now on."

"That will make tonight's ritual more complicated," I pointed out.

"The ritual might need to be postponed," Lenny suggested.

I shook my head firmly. "We can't. The full moon is tonight. It's our only chance to convert the Ferals before Nathan's attack."

"And now we know you're a primary target," Ramsey countered. "Nathan—or Xander—wants you dead."

"All the more reason to proceed," I insisted. "We need every fighter we can get. Besides, it proves Beta Jeremy – Nathan's father is right. They want me because they know I am the only one who could match them strength for strength. "

Before Ramsey could argue further, the door burst open. Gamma Darius rushed in, his hair was wild around his face. He looked like he'd seen an army of ghosts.

"The northern gate's been breached," he announced breathlessly. "Three sentries were found dead, and our defence and cam all on the ground."

Ramsey cursed. "Do we know what they are at least? Is it Nathan and his men or Ferals?"

"We have no idea, but we're doing our best to find out what happened," Gamma Dairus said. "I doubt it's Nathan; our scouts have reported only a small advance since yesterday. They're still in the plains before the White Mountain Territories."

"Or they are already here, Nathan might have sent a small faction ahead" I suggested. "Hiding their time, waiting for the main force to approach."

"We need to seal the breach and track down any enemies who've slipped through," Lenny said.

Ramsey nodded. "Take Killian and the eastern patrol. Secure the northern gate and sweep the surrounding forest."

As Lenny hurried out, I turned to Ramsey. "What about Cassidy? Any word from White Lake?"

He shook his head, his expression grim "Nothing. But I received a message from my cousin. Strange warriors have been seen entering their territory—werewolves no one recognises."

"Reinforcements for Nathan," Darius concluded darkly.

I stood, my resolve hardening. "The ritual can't wait. With or without White Lake's support, we must be ready when Nathan's main force arrives."

"I'm not letting you out of my sight," Ramsey said, his tone leaving no room for argument.

I nodded, accepting the necessity. "Fine, but I need to meet with Nanny and the Moon Temple contingent first. They arrived earlier than expected, thank the gods."

"I'll escort you," Darius offered.

Ramsey hesitated, then nodded. "I need to coordinate our defenses at the northern gate. Stay with Lyla," he instructed Darius. "Don't let her out of your sight."

After he left, Darius and I went to the reception hall where Nanny and her group were already waiting. Guards shadowed our every step, communicating with each other as we walked.

"I'm so sorry you had to go through that, Luna. I'm sorry about your car, too. I wish I were there to protect you," Darius said quietly. "That wasn't just a warning. They really want you dead."

"I'm the biggest threat to Nathan's plans," I replied. "The prophecy says a Moonsinger can defeat the Dark One."

"At what cost?" Darius asked shrewdly. "Most times, these prophecies may not be as true as they sound, and the only thing we owe ourselves is to tread carefully, and you know that. I wish there was a way for us to forget about everything and move on. I already lost my son; I wouldn't want to lose another person whom I know."

I glanced at him, surprised by his perception. "What do you mean?"

"I've studied the old texts too, Luna Lyla. Most prophecies about defeating great evil involve sacrifice, which I am sure you are not willing to risk. If Alpha Ramsey finds out…."

Before I could respond, we reached the reception hall. Nanny was already there, surrounded by a dozen priestesses in white robes and twenty female warriors—the Sigma fighters, legendary for their skill and ferocity.

Nanny rushed to embrace me. "I felt it," she whispered. "The attempt on your life. I warned you, Lyla. You cannot dangle yourself out there like a meal. You don't know who is foe or friend."

"I can't sit around in my room, with my knees drawn together because I want to be fine." I hugged her back, drawing strength from her presence. "I'm fine. Lenny saved me."

She pulled back, her eyes searching mine. "The time is coming. The prophecy."

"Tonight," I confirmed quietly. "The ritual with the Ferals first, then..."

"Then the true battle," she finished for me.

The Sigma fighters approached me, their leader—a tall, muscular woman named Freya—bowing respectfully. "Moonsinger, we are yours to command. The Moon Temple stands with White Mountain."

"Thank you," I said, touched by their loyalty. "We must coordinate with Ramsey's warriors and my special guard unit."

"What about the Ferals?" Nanny asked.

"If the ritual works, they'll fight alongside us," I explained. "But I need your help with the ceremony. It's complex magic, beyond simple singing."

Nanny nodded. "We brought everything you requested—rare herbs, sacred oils, and ancient texts."

"Good," I said, feeling a strange calm settle over me. "Let's go over the plans. We don't have much time."

As we gathered around a large table, spreading out maps and ritual diagrams, I caught Gamma Darius watching me with an unreadable expression.

"What is it?" I asked when we had a moment alone.

"You know something you're not sharing," he said quietly. "About the prophecy. About what defeating the Dark One will cost."

I met his gaze steadily. "Some things are better left unspoken until it's time."

"Ramsey loves you," he said. "If your plan involves what I think it does, it will destroy him."

"If it saves everyone else, it will be worth it," I replied softly.

His eyes widened slightly, my confirmation of his suspicions clear. "There must be another way."

"If you find one in the next twelve hours, let me know," I said, returning to the planning table.

The sky outside darkened as storm clouds gathered, mirroring the tension building within our walls. By nightfall, I would perform the ritual to transform the Ferals. By dawn, Nathan's main force would reach our gates.

And somewhere between those two events, I would have to find the courage to do what the prophecy demanded—step into the fire so others might live.