The Alpha's Fated Outcast Rise Of The Moonsinger novel Chapter 285

Clarissa

I continued to tend to Lyla's wounds, carefully cleaning the dried blood from her face. The uneasy truce between us felt fragile, like glass that might shatter at the slightest pressure. Years of rivalry don't simply vanish in a single night, no matter how dire the circumstances.

As I worked, Lyla's eyes suddenly locked on mine with an intensity that made me pause.

"There's life growing inside you," she said quietly.

I avoided her gaze, setting aside the bloodied cloth and rising to my feet. Crossing the room to the small window, I peered out at the darkness, giving her my back.

"Clarissa," Lyla insisted, following me despite her injuries. "I can feel it. You're pregnant."

I rolled my eyes, turning to face her. "I know that," I scoffed. "What woman wouldn't know she's pregnant with her own child?"

The confirmation seemed to stun her into momentary silence. I'd planned to keep this secret as long as possible, especially from Lyla. But something about her now—a certain gentleness that hadn't been there before—made the truth spill out.

"Does Nathan know?" she asked.

I shook my head. "No. And I'd prefer to keep it that way for now."

"Is that why you're helping me? Because of the baby?"

"I'm helping you because—" I began, but suddenly, everything around me faded.

Clarissa, where are you? Nathan's voice filled my mind. You missed the strategy meeting. Return to the pack house immediately.

The force of his mind-link was stronger than usual, almost painful. There was something different about it—an undercurrent of darkness that had never been present before.

I went for a run in the forest. I just wanted to clear my head, I replied, trying to keep my thoughts controlled. Knowing who Nathan is, if he senses the weirdest change in my response, he will definitely know that something is up. I lost track of time. I'll be back soon.

There was a pause, long enough to make my heart race with fear.

See that you are. We have preparations to complete.

The connection broke, leaving me dizzy. When I focused again, Lyla was watching me with concern.

"That was Nathan," I said, not bothering to explain how she already knew. "He's looking for me."

"What did he say?" Lyla asked, her voice tense.

"Nothing specific. Just that I missed a meeting and need to return." I moved quickly around the shelter, gathering my things. "I need to go back before he gets suspicious."

"Clarissa, it's not safe," Lyla protested. "If he realizes you helped me—"

"He won't," I cut her off. "I know how to handle Nathan."

"This isn't just Nathan anymore," she reminded me. "It's Xander, too. He's dangerous in ways you can't imagine."

I paused, my hand on the door. "I'll be careful. I'll return as soon as possible. I'll bring food and medicine" I hesitated, then added, "Stay hidden. Don't try to leave on your own—you're too weak."

Lyla's expression was skeptical, but she nodded. "Be careful," she said again.

"I always am," I replied, slipping out into the night.

The forest was eerily quiet as I made my way back toward the pack house. Every shadow seemed to harbor a threat, and every rustle of leaves made me jump. I'd grown up in these woods, but tonight, they felt alien.

Nathan was waiting for me on the back porch, his tall figure silhouetted against the light from inside. Even from a distance, I could sense something was wrong. His posture was too rigid, his aura too dark.

Was he or Xander the father of my child? The mere thought that I could be carrying the child of the Dark One sent a warm thrill through me. I didn't know whether I should be happy or sad about it.

The more I looked at it, the more it seemed highly unlikely that it was the Dark One in Nathan, especially since he has always been like that. Maybe Lyla was confusing this evil side of Nathan with the Dark One. A wicked side I've always known—something I was used to.

"Where were you really?" he asked as I approached, his voice deceptively calm.

"I told you, I went for a run," I replied, keeping my tone light. "Needed to clear my head. Things have been...intense lately."