The Alpha's Fated Outcast Rise Of The Moonsinger novel Chapter 321

Ramsey POV

"How many are there?" Lyla asked, and I could see her brain running in motion, already thinking of strategies.

"Nearly their entire fighting force—about three hundred warriors. They've set up fortified positions all along the border," I replied.

"And our response?"

"I've mobilised our defence units, but I've ordered them not to engage unless attacked," I explained. "I'm hoping to resolve this diplomatically first. I've sent a messenger requesting a meeting with Elder Thorne at dawn."

She nodded. "Good. We need to understand their motivation before we fight. This isn't like the White Lake Pack—we have a common enemy, we should be fighting Xander side by side, not fighting each other, and I refuse to believe that Elder Thorne, with all his sensibility, would pick a fight because you refused to marry his daughter.

"Elder Thorne is a very shrewd man. He would never do anything if he thought he would lose. There must be a reason for this," I agreed thoughtfully. "Something significant must have changed for him to take such action."

"The Dark One," Lyla suggested. "You think he has gotten hold of Elder Thorne? But what on earth would he want? I doubt if his biggest desire is to see you married to his daughter?"

"It might be the Dark One's doing, who knows?" I agreed. "Or perhaps Cassidy has convinced her father that we're the threat."

"She doesn't think we were threats. She only mentioned that she was supposed to sit on the White Moon Throne with you to unlock its power, which was her destiny. It doesn't make sense," Lyla sighed. "What will you do now?"

"I'm meeting with the War Council. I need to hear their opinion before we proceed. Like you said, I'm done trying to get everything without a touch of violence, which seems inevitable at this point."

She tried to rise from the bed. "I should come with you to the meeting. As Moonsinger, my presence might—"

"No," I said firmly, gently pressing her back against the pillows. "You're still healing, and you should rest more. I'll need you for tomorrow. Besides, anything can happen at any time. We're no longer safe in our pack."

She wanted to argue, but her eyelids were growing heavy. "Promise you'll wake me if you really need my help," she murmured.

"I promise," I said, leaning down to kiss her forehead.

She yawned again. "I love you, Ramsey Kincaid. Always…"

I didn't say anything, I just sat next to her, watching her fall asleep. When I thought sleep had finally claimed her, her eyelids fluttered open.

"Ramsey," she said drowsily, fighting to stay awake. "The prophecy in my father's hidden study mentioned twins…"

"Twin moon…" I supplied.

"Yeah," she bit back another yawn, nodding with her eyes closed, "What if it wasn't referring to the twin moons, but to something else?"

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"I don't know yet," she admitted, becoming incoherent. "But White Lake's involvement changes things. We're missing something important."

I stroked her hair gently. "We'll figure it out tomorrow. Sleep now."

She closed her eyes, finally surrendering to exhaustion. In a few minutes, she was sound asleep.

I lingered for a bit as my mind continued working, trying to connect the pieces – Cassidy's attack on Lyla and her claim to the White Moon Throne, the White Lake's siege, the Dark One's retreat, the prophecy's mention of twins.

Something told me the answer was right in front of me, if only I could see it.

After tucking Lyla in properly, I closed the bedroom door quietly and headed downstairs. My mind raced with strategies for tomorrow's meeting with Elder Thorne, but I need more information first.

Seth was waiting for me at the foot of the stairway, despite the late hour. With Seth, it was always difficult to know when he was happy or sad.

He always had the same expression. He has been around since I was a kid, but never said a word regarding anything that happens in the pack. Never offered advice, always minded his business and was loyal to my grandfather to the core.

Even though he would do things for me, those things always ended up in my grandfather's ears.