The Alpha's Fated Outcast Rise Of The Moonsinger novel Chapter 324

Ramsey

I sat across from Elder Thorne, neither of us speaking as we sized each other up. His face showed no emotion as he stared straight into my eyes, the only resemblance between him and Cassidy.

I schooled my features to hide the turmoil Lyla's rejection had caused. I had almost not attended the meeting because I was heartbroken, but I was the Lycan Leader, and my position didn't care about my emotions.

Finally, I broke the silence.

"Everyone out," I ordered the room. "Leave us."

Caius immediately leaned towards me, whispering into my ears, "Alpha, I don't think you should be alone with him. He could have weapons, or who knows what other schemes he has up his sleeves."

"It's fine, Caius," I murmured without taking my eyes off Elder Thorne. "It's fine," I repeated firmly. "Go."

He hesitated for another second before leaving the room, he and the warriors that came with Elder Thorne.

I leaned forward once the room emptied, leaving just me and Elder Thorne. "Is this really about me not keeping the agreement and marrying Cassidy, or is there more?"

He scoffed, eyeing me with pure disdain. "Even if you were served to me on a golden plate, I would never take you as a son-in-law. This whole marriage saga was my wife's idea entirely, and your grandfather bought it."

I nodded, "Then why do you have your warriors in front of my pack's gate? What's the occasion? Why didn't you send warriors when I sent messages about the Dark One's forces? I asked for help multiple times."

He laughed dryly, meeting my gaze. "You are fighting a lost battle, Ramsey Kincaid. You won't win, and you know it. You won't win against the Dark One. I know that much. Plus, I'm simply fulfilling the prophecy."

"Prophecy?" I prodded, though I suspected I knew what was coming.

"Your grandfather didn't mention it to you, did he?" Thorne's eyes gleamed. "That you might be a bastard? The White Moon Throne doesn't belong to you in the first place. All that talk about it choosing you is true, but you're too slow in doing what is required of you."

I nodded slowly. "So, I've heard. My grandfather told me many stories, but I've chosen not to believe because none of you have been truthful, and I won't trust your reports alone until I see hardcore evidence. But is that truly why you've brought all your warriors here?"

His expression darkened. "Your grandfather and his fathers before him stole something from us. Many things, but one in particular—the Standing Stone. It's been hidden inside the Moon Temple for generations and was brought here by the High Priestess during the last Harvest Moon Celebration."

I let my gaze rake his entire length, wondering what he was talking about. He sounded sane. His voice was the same, his pupils were not dilated. He was normal, at least to me. Were my fears true? Had the Dark One gotten to Elder Thorne, too?

"What standing stones are you talking about?" I asked. And why do you need it urgently? If I recall, there are a few in White Lake. I know this because we walked past its alcove when the cleansing ritual had to be performed for Lyla."

"No," he shook his head, leaning backwards in his chair. "The Standing Stone and not the standing stones. It's just one stone, Ramsey, and it's the key to controlling the White Moon Throne."

I paused for a minute, staring at him, wondering if my ears were tricking me.

"And what will you do with this stone?" I asked.

"What else?" he scoffed. "I want to make a bargain with the Dark One. Turns out he's not as unreasonable as the stories make him seem. I guess he's tired of waiting for you to take the initiative and be mated to Cassidy. Only your union can unleash the power of the White Moon Throne."

"This nonsense again," I scoffed. "You don't have to resort to lying…"

"I am not lying, Ramsey," he looked serious. "Cassidy is a trueblood and comes from a generation of Lycan Leaders who once occupied the White Moon Throne. Everyone here, be it from White Hill or White Cloud, is connected to my great-grandmother Ellara. To unlock the power of the White Moon Throne, you must sit on it with a child born from Ellara's loins. I am one, and my wife is another too."

"Are you confessing that you married your sibling?"

He laughed. "That's what we all are, Ramsey. You're an affair between your great-grandfather, although he wasn't from around here, and my great-grandmother Ellara. That's why he could pass you off as Elaine's child based on resemblance. She was barren; she could never bear children."

I stared at him, wondering how to react.

"It was a way to strengthen its powers and our claim to it, but believe me, its power is real. That is the thing the Dark One has been after for the longest time. The last time the power of the White Moon Throne was used…" he paused for a minute. "Ellara and her twin sister Elaine. They won a lot of battles with it, made the werewolves submit and a lot of things. Anyways, there's another way to activate this power." _{freēwēbηovel.c૦m}