The Alpha's Fated Outcast Rise Of The Moonsinger novel Chapter 290

Lyla

The ring felt heavy on my finger now. When Ramsey had first proposed, I had been giddy with joy, but now it was different. Marriage was the last thing on my mind, not with the knowledge of how to defeat the Dark One in my mind, too.

I contemplated telling him about the contents of my father's letter but I knew he wouldn't understand.

I stared at the ring for the longest time, then lifted my head up to smile at him.

"We will get married," I started "But can we do it after this fight with the Dark One?"

"What difference does it make?" he said quietly. I need to know that I can never be separated from you. These past few weeks without you here, I went insane. I don't want that anymore."

"This is…sudden," I managed to say. "We're in the middle of a war. I've been unconscious for days. Nathan – Xander – is raising armies against us. And you want us to get married? Don't you think that would be too insensitive of us?"

"Don't say that, Lyla. I'm sure everyone will agree that this has gone on for long without us making it official. Besides, it's not going to be a large ceremony. Just our prospective families, a few elders and the Joining Priest. That's all. I know the timing isn't ideal," he acknowledged. "But that's exactly why I'm doing this now. We don't know how much time we have left. Nathan's forces are regrouping as we speak. The next attack could come any day."

"And you think marrying me is the solution?" I couldn't keep the skepticism from my voice.

"I think marrying you is what I want, war or no war. Love is sometimes the solution," he replied. "But yes, there's more to it. You're a Moonsinger, Lyla and not just any kind, a Moonsinger with blood ties to the Auréans. You're Neriah's reincarnation, and I believe our union would unlock the power of the White Moon Throne."

The prophecy from my father's study flashed through my mind: When the moon bleeds red and wolves bow to none, she will rise – the last of her kind, blood of Neriah, vessel of the goddess."

"You don't even know what that means. You don't believe in the powers of the White Moon Throne," I said quietly. "Neither do I, fully."

"But I'm willing to give it a shot if it would help to save the people," Ramsey countered. "I know that you're special and that your abilities are unique. And I know that being with you feels right, in a way nothing else ever has."

For a moment, I wanted to tell him, but I knew it would break our hearts.

So I flashed him another smile, hoping it would hide the pain that I felt right now.

"I can't give you an answer right now," I said finally. "Not until I've regained my strength, taking control of this entire situation with the Ferals and since I don't have Nymeris again…"

"Nymeris?" his eyes widened "Your wolf? What happened to her?"

"She's dead." I tried to look at him bravely, maybe to hide the guilt that I felt for killing my own wolf, but I couldn't. Instead, I lowered my head and wrung my fingers. "I killed her in order to allow my moonsinging abilities to come into full manifestation. With her in the way, it would be difficult to wield both powers and not go insane."

"Oh, Lyla," he sighed, stroking my arm comfortingly. "I'm so sorry, I can imagine the kind of pain you went through."

"It was the worst experience ever, but I'm hoping I will overcome it soon."

"I'm so sorry."

"Yeah," I nodded. "So, there are other things more important than getting married right now, like coming up with a plan to defeat the Dark One."

"Then that's what we'll do first." He nodded. "Whatever you need, I'll help you."

"And after?" I asked.

"After that," he said, bringing my hand to his lips, "we fight. We take the battle to Nathan. We end this, once and for all." The ring glinted on my finger as he kissed it. "And then, if you'll have me, we're building something new from the ashes."

He had no idea how much devastation it would cause if we spent weeks and months fighting with the dark one. Our world would become like the Northern Forest. That alone was the testament to what would happen if we were to engage Xander full-on.