The Alpha's Fated Outcast Rise Of The Moonsinger novel Chapter 260

Lyla

I came alive with a loud gasp as my eyes flew open, consciousness rushing back to me like a tidal wave.

The sunlight seared through the trees, warm and merciless. My body felt heavy like I'd been asleep for years instead of hours. A dull ache throbbed in my skull, and as I slowly adjusted my eyes, the world around me swayed.

I was lying on my back in the middle of the Northern forest clearing, the scent of damp earth and pine needles filling my nose. Neriah's sword was nowhere to be found. For a moment, I just breathed, staring up at the golden sky filtering through the canopy above. It felt unreal—like I wasn't truly back. But the pounding in my head was too real, my limbs too sore.

How long had I been out?

I groaned, forcing myself up onto my elbows. The fragments of my trance still swirled in my mind like scattered puzzle pieces – faces, voices and sensations all jumbled together. The moment I lifted my head, dizziness washed over me in nauseating waves, and I had to squeeze my eyes shut. My breathing was ragged, and my throat felt parched.

I tried to stand up but my legs gave out. Positioning myself on all fours, I crawled out of the forest to where my bag was outside of it.

Dragging myself upright, I reached for my bag—thank the goddess, it was still intact. My hands fumbled with the straps as I pulled out my water flask, unscrewing the cap with shaking fingers before bringing it to my lips. Cool water gushed down my throat, soothing the dryness.

The first gulp was heaven, cool liquid sliding down my parched throat and bringing immediate relief. I drank greedily until I had to stop for breath, inhaling deeply before taking another long sip.

"Okay, Lyla. Think," I muttered to myself, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand. "What did you see? What does it mean?"

The visions had been so vivid—the ancient pack, the rituals, Thames... Thames with his piercing eyes that somehow seemed so familiar. And the power, the incredible surge of energy that had flowed through my veins like liquid fire.

Dried leaves and twigs where clinging to my hair and clothes. My limbs still felt like lead ane every movement sent waves of discomfort over me. I needed to give my body time to reboot.

I managed to find a tree trunk and relaxed against it. I exhaled deeply, pressing my fingers to my temple, trying to piece together the vision I had just witnessed. My past life as Neriah. Corvus—no, Xander. The Dark One. And what I had done to him. From everything I gathered from the vision, I didn't even know who was the villain anymore.

Everyone seemed to be hurt. Did Neriah run away with Thames? The vision I had about being in a field with lots of dead people with Ramsey and Nathan dead… does it connect to everything?

Everything I thought I knew… it had all been a lie.

A bitter laugh escaped my lips as I sat there, staring at my trembling hands. What do I do now?

Return to White Moon Pack? Face Ramsey? Confront him about the truth?

Or…

I swallowed, my stomach twisting. I could go to Blue Ridge.

To Thames.

No—Nathan.

The thought of Nathan sent a shiver down my spine. There had been something about Thames in my vision that had reminded me of him, a similarity that I couldn't quite place but that nagged at the corners of my consciousness.

A man I knew nothing about, yet everything inside me told me he was connected to me. My heart clenched at the thought, confusion warring with instinct.

The trance had left me weak, but I couldn't stay here. I needed answers, and staying in White Moon meant being surrounded by people who had lied to me my whole life. The betrayal settled like a stone in my chest.

With a deep breath, I gathered my remaining strength, I pushed myself to my feet, my legs wobbling beneath me. My vision blurred, but I forced myself forward, stumbling toward the path that led out of the Northern Forest.

The trees thinned gradually as I approached the edge of the woods, sunlight breaking through in larger patches until finally, I emerged into the open.

As I emerged from the trees, the bright sunlight made me squint, and then I saw him.

Nathan.

He was leaning against a sleek black SUV, arms crossed over his broad chest, his expression unreadable as he watched me emerge from the trees. My heart sank in my chest, and for a moment, I wondered if I was still in a trance, still seeing visions.

The sight of him stole my breath.

For a brief, disorienting second, my vision twisted. Nathan's face wavered, shifting into Thames'—the same sharp jaw, the same stormy eyes filled with something unreadable. My heart pounded. Is he Thames? Is he the one from my visions?

I didn't know if my feet moved toward him, or if he came to me first, but suddenly, he was right there. His hands were firm as they caught my shoulders, steadying me.

"You look like hell, get in," he said, his voice smooth but unreadable.

I blinked up at him, dazed. He didn't ask what I was doing there. He didn't question why I had just stumbled out of the forest like a lost child. He only opened the car door and helped me in.

I wanted to ask him how he knew where to find me, why he was here, if he knew about my visions—but exhaustion weighed my tongue down, and all I could do was let my head rest against his shoulder as he settled me into the seat.

The ride to Blue Ridge was silent.