The Alpha's Fated Outcast Rise Of The Moonsinger novel Chapter 243

Lyla

"You're taking his side?" I stared at Ramsey, surprised.

Ramsey didn't answer me. He had managed to cart me out of the situation room into his bedroom after me, and Lenny had engaged in a hot argument. Lenny had been going on about me not loving Ramsey and stuff.

"Do you believe everything he just said? That I don't love you and that I'm selfish. Do you believe that? Let me not even start with all the things Lenny had told me. On that day, you travelled to…"

"Please, Lyla!" he raised his hand in protest. "Let's not go there. I have so much running through my mind, and I don't want to go there now. We'll talk about it later."

"Later, today, tomorrow, right now? What difference does it make? You're letting Lenny come between us again. He hates me, and he's trying to…"

"Lyla, please," he interrupted me again, running a hand through his hair. "Now more than ever, I cannot do this. The pack needs me, and I don't want or need any emotional burden right now."

"Am I an emotional burden?"

"You know that's not what I mean, Ly…" he sighed and pushed me gently to the bed to settle back against the pillows. "You should rest."

"How can I rest when everything is falling apart?" My voice broke on the last word, and I saw guilt flit into his eyes, but it disappeared in the next few seconds.

"Because I need you strong," he said. "Whatever comes next, whatever decision we make, I need my Luna at full strength."

He was right. But lying down and doing nothing will not change a thing. Nathan had been clear on the phone. If I didn't do as he has asked, he'll do even worse. Maybe this was the only way to help Ramsey.

I know he would disagree if I told him.

I reached for his hand, interlacing our fingers. "Promise me something?"

"Anything."

"Promise you won't let vengeance cloud your judgment. Nathan wants you to lash out, to give the Council reason to turn against you. So, he can tell every werewolf that this is the reason why he's fighting for their liberation. And I know Nathan. He can be pretty convincing when he wants to. Don't give him what he wants."

I knew the request stung his pride, but Ramsey knew I was right. Nathan was cunning and manipulative. He'd orchestrated this entire situation to force Ramsey into a corner.

"I promise to be tactical," he conceded. "But make no mistake, Lyla. Nathan will pay for what he's done. That's non-negotiable."

I nodded, understanding the compromise for what it was. "Just remember that the pack needs their Alpha more than they need revenge."

He leaned down to press his lips to mine, a gentle kiss that carried the weight of everything he couldn't put into words—his fear of losing me, his rage at Nathan, his determination to protect what was his.

When he pulled away, my eyes were heavy-lidded, the medication finally winning out against my determination to stay awake. "Stay with me?" I heard myself murmur.

"Wild wolves couldn't drag me away," he promised, settling back into the chair beside my bed without releasing my hand.

I laid perfectly still, giving him the impression that I was sleeping. A short while later, the door opened, and I heard quiet footsteps. I wanted to crack my eyes open to know who it was,s but there was no way without giving the impression that I was sleeping.

The sooner Ramsey leaves, the better for me to do what I was supposed to do.

"The council meeting would be frustrating, filled with a lot of political protocols and manoeuvring that has no place in modern pack dynamics. But I would endure it for Lyla's sake."

"And when they deliver their inevitable half-measures and compromises?" the voice asked.

"I would be ready with my plan. Nathan has crossed a line that could never be crossed. He'd targeted my life, bombed innocent people, and God knows what he must have told Lyla on the phone. I need to keep a close eye on her; I don't want her to do anything rash. There would be justice, with or without the Council's blessing. I would see to that personally."