The Alpha's Fated Outcast Rise Of The Moonsinger novel Chapter 255

Neriah

When I looked up, he watched me intently and his eyes held…an emotion I could not explain.

"Let me go!" I said through gritted teeth.

"No!" he shook his head. "Stay…" then turning to the crowd he said. "I Rian accept you as my mate, Neriah." And then he lowered his mouth and captured my lips.

The kiss had been so sudden but when I recovered, I pushed him away from me, hating how compromised the whole thing was now. I turned to the pack members and saw them watching me with disdain. It was bad enough that I was already the black sheep of the pack but this….?

Thames was their favourite pack child. Everyone loved him, cherished him and now I've hurt him. I'm sure no one considered that there was a s huge possibility that my father was behind this.

I remained in stony silence as we completed the engagement process by the end of the night, Rian presented me with a ring as proof of our newfound engagement.

The night continued after that and after I left the stage in forced merriment. Laughter and music echoed, but I could only hear the faint ringing in my ears. I couldn't believe my father would crush me with an announcement like that and put my life at a standstill.

I've tried to reach out to Thames but I cannot. Plus my dad had left strict orders with the sentry on duty around the clearing not to let me go until the night was well spent. But now, I was standing alone again.

My so-called fiancée – the last time I saw him was charming his way into the heart of an Alpha who was giggling like a girl. I needed to find him. If anyone could help me it would be him.

My hands trembled at my sides as I weaved through the crowd. I was searching for Rian.

My heart pounded in my chest, each beat echoing louder with every step I took. The need to confront him clawed at my insides. I needed to stop this before it could begin – before my life was stripped away from me completely.

I wanted Thames – Not Rian.

Finally, I spotted him standing near the edge of the clearing, half-hidden by shadows. He was deep in conversation with a group of men. His posture was relaxed – too relaxed for someone whose life had just been tired to a woman he'd never even met before tonight.

My throat tightened.

For a moment, I hesitated. Would he even care? Would he listen?

But the memory of his amused smile at the food table flickered in my mind – how he had spoken to me without pretence or arrogance. Maybe… just maybe… he wasn't entirely like the others.

I forced my feet to move, stopping a few steps away from him.

"Rian."

He turned his head, those amber eyes finding his mind almost instantly. A slow, knowing smile crept onto his face as if he'd been waiting for me.

"Neriah," his voice was smooth, low – dangerous. "I was starting to wonder when you'd come."

My heart shattered.

"You knew I would?"

His smile widened slightly. "I could see the horror written all over your face when your father called out your name and asked you to join us. I thought we had this instant chemistry and you'd like to be with a man like me. I was hurt, still hurt."

My fingers curled into fists at my sides.

"Then you should know why I'm here."

He inclined his head, dismissing the men around him with a flick of his wrists. When they were gone, he took a slow step closer – close enough for me to catch the faint scent of cedar and smoke clinging to him.

"I'm listening."

I swallowed hard, my pulse hammering in my throat. I glanced around quickly to make sure no one was paying attention to us before lowering my voice.

"You have to call it off."

He arched a brow, as amusement flickered in his eyes.

"Do I?"

"I'm not… I'm not yours to marry," I whispered fiercely. "I already have a mate."

For a brief second, something flickered in his gaze – too fast for me to catch. Then his expression smoothed over into that same infuriatingly calm mask.

"A mate?" he tilted his head, eyes glinting. "Where is he then?"