The Alpha's Fated Outcast Rise Of The Moonsinger novel Chapter 306

Lyla

My heart hammered against my ribs as I stood beside Ramsey at the northern border. Behind us, a dozen elite warriors maintained defensive positions, ready to attack at the slightest signal. The former Ferals, led by Kieran, had spread out through the surrounding forest, creating an invisible perimeter that no one could cross without being detected.

Nathan approached slowly; his hands raised to show he carried no weapons. He looked different than when I'd last seen him – thinner, with dark circles under his eyes. His expression was cold and calculating as he walked towards us with confidence.

"That's close enough," Ramsey called out when Nathan was about twenty feet away.

He stood before us at the border, with a relaxed posture as if he weren't facing dozens of warriors ready to tear him apart. The confident smile on his face made my blood boil. This was the man who had killed the Southern Alphas, who had sent Ferals to slaughter innocents, who had bombed my car.

A strange smile played on his lips. "No warm welcome for an old friend, Ramsey?"

"We stopped being friends when you tried to kill my mate," Ramsey replied coldly.

Nathan's gaze shifted to me. "Lyla," he said softly. "You're looking well. The ritual with the Ferals was impressive."

I stiffened. "How did you know about that?"

"I know everything that happens in these mountains," he said with a dismissive wave.

"What do you want, Nathan?" I asked directly. "Why come alone under a flag of truce?"

"I've come to offer you a deal," he replied. "One that will spare your people unnecessary suffering."

"We don't make deals with murderers," Ramsey growled.

"I'm not asking for your approval," Nathan said coldly. "I'm telling you how things are going to be."

"What's your offer?" I asked, ignoring Ramsey's warning glance.

"Give me Neriah's sword," Nathan said bluntly. "Now. Today. In exchange, I'll leave White Mountain in peace. My forces will withdraw beyond the southern mountains. You'll never see us again."

"And if we refuse?" Ramsey asked.

"Then I burn everything to the ground. Starting with the civilians you've hidden in the western shelters. Then I will gain access to the White Moon Throne and sit my ass on it."

Fear clouded my vision for a second. The western shelters were our most secure location, their existence was only known to pack leadership. This had to be Gamma Darius's work.

From the corner of my eye, I see Caius indicating to one of the warriors standing behind us, and a few minutes later, he comes with Gamma Darius. I watched as Nathan's eyes widened with shock. He hadn't expected that.

"I don't know what you did to my father, you and your Dark One," Caius said, dragging his father by the hair and coming to stand in the middle "But this is not my father. Whatever this is, whoever this monster is that was created isn't him. So, this is us saying that your little birdie has been caught."

Nathan stared at him for a few seconds with a bored expression and then shrugged. "He was old anyway. But in any case, you're fighting a losing battle," he said, spreading his hands. "If only Ramsey had admitted and acknowledged my desire to remain Alpha Leader, I wouldn't have let things happen this way."

Ramsey's jaw tightened beside me. "You've said your piece. Now leave our territory."

"I'm giving you a second chance," Nathan continued, ignoring Ramsey's dismissal. "Surrender to me. Give me Neriah's Sword. That's all I ask."

I came forward. "What do you want with the Sword?"

Nathan scoffed, as if the answer were obvious. "What else? To kill the Dark One."

"I thought you two were buddies," Ramsey said coldly.

"No." Nathan's expression hardened. "If the Dark One could achieve even half of what I have, he would have done so already."

I studied his face, trying to determine if he was lying. Nathan had always been ambitious, but this seemed like something more—a personal vendetta against the very entity everyone believed he served.

"This is what happens when you doubt a Beta's son," Nathan continued, his eyes flashing with long-held resentment. "Surrender, grant me access to the power of the White Moon Throne, and I'll spare you all."

He looked directly at Ramsey. "If a Beta can become Alpha Leader, then a Beta can also sit on the White Moon throne."

The old rivalry—Ramsey, son of a Lycan and the rightful heir to the White Moon Throne and Nathan, son of a Beta, who only became an Alpha by chance and not by birthright. One was raised to lead his pack, the other was raised to rule our world. I'd never realised how deeply Nathan's jealousy ran.

Ramsey walked forward slowly, stopping just inches from Nathan. His voice was quiet but carried clearly in the tense silence.