The Alpha's Fated Outcast Rise Of The Moonsinger novel Chapter 251

Neriah

He crossed the small space and sat down beside me on the bed. The mattress dipped under his weight. Never in my memory had my father sat on my bed. He always stood, towering over me, maintaining the physical manifestation of his authority.

"Your mother's condition has worsened, Neriah," he said solemnly, staring at his hands. "And the healers are not so positive again."

A cold dread washed over me. My mother has been ill for nearly two years now, with brief periods of improvement followed by devastating relapses. But my father had always maintained she would recover, that it was just a matter of time.

"But can you do me a favour?" he asked his voice softer than I had ever heard it.

I was shocked. My father had never asked me for a favour. He commanded, and I did his bidding. That was the way it had always been. The balance of power between us was s fixed as stars in the sky.

I nodded wordlessly, afraid to speak lest my voice betray my confusion.

"Reject Thames and marry the son of the Lycan Leader."

The words hung in the air between us, heavy and suffocating. I felt as though the ground had disappeared beneath my feet. Thames was my mate, aside from that, he was my childhood friend and everyone knew that. No one was surprised when the Moon Goddess paired us as mates years ago and our union had been approved by the pack years ago.

More than that, I love him. Thames gets me in everything I do. He was the only one in the pack whom I could show my weakness and insecurities without worrying about being judged. He never judged me despite our differences, he never judged me and I was grateful for that.

"Father, I…" I began, but he raised his hand, silencing me.

"It's not a request, Neriah. It's what must be done." His eyes finally met mine and in them, I saw not the cold, unyielding authority I expected, but something close to desperation. "The Lycan Leader has resources… healers with knowledge. They might be able to save your mother."

My mind whirled—the son of the Lycan Leader. I had only seen him from afar during formal gatherings, a tall, imposing figure always flanked by guards. Cold. Distant. Nothing like the warmth and laughter I shared with Thames.

"He will protect you, Neriah." My father reached for my hand, grasping it and staring at me softly. "There are so many things I have to say, things to tell you but…" he paused. "You're a special child, Neriah… and only the Lycans have the resources to protect you."

"Protect me from what?" I inquired tentatively. I didn't want to offend my father.

He stared at me for a few seconds before looking away. "It's complicated but I hope with time you can understand what I mean just know that you're chosen to uphold our generation and guide them through our world into a great transition. Most people would covet your power…"

I wanted to ask him what power. What the hell was he talking about? Why was he speaking in riddles?

"Does Thames know?" I whispered. My voice was barely audible

My father shook his head. "Not yet. I wanted to speak with you first."

A small mercy, then. Or perhaps just another calculated move in whatever game my father was playing.

"And if I refuse?" The words escaped me before I could stop them, a small act of defiance I immediately regretted.

My father's expression hardened, the brief glimpse of vulnerability vanishing like morning mist. "Then our fate is sealed. Your mothers', our pack, our world and so is yours. We are being threatened, Neriah. We're being forced into something that goes against our nature…"

"Father, you're asking me to reject Thames… he's my fated mate. You don't expect that I would just let him go like that? There should be a reason good enough for me to do something like that. Is that so difficult for you to understand?"