The Alpha's Fated Outcast Rise Of The Moonsinger novel Chapter 327

Ramsey

I turned to Lyla, already shaking my head. "Absolutely not. It's a trap."

To my surprise, Lyla agreed. "I think I'm done hearing whatever the Dark One has to say. Let's fight already and get this over and done with. I'm tired of this back and forth."

"We should hear what she has to say," Lenny said suddenly, "from a safe distance, with guards."

"She tried to kill Lyla," I reminded him unnecessarily. "Did you forget that? Nathan attacked me while Cassidy attacked Lyla. Don't tell me you've forgotten so quickly."

"Of course, I did not forget," Lenny sighed, returning to the couch. "I'm curious to know why she's here, offering herself as the middleman for the Dark One. That is so unlike Cassidy. You know she would never do anything that doesn't benefit her. Besides, if she wanted to attack, why announce her presence? Why not just attack?"

Lyla nodded slowly. "Lenny has a point. This is unusual behaviour for someone committed to my death, and I believe if Xander had everything he wanted to start the war, he would not be using middlemen. There's something missing, and maybe we have it."

I didn't like it, but I could see the logic. "Fine, but we set the terms. She comes alone, unarmed, to neutral ground. We'll have archers positioned to take her down at the first sign of treachery."

Caius left to arrange the meeting while Lenny went to coordinate our forces. I turned to Lyla, taking her hands in mine.

"I don't trust this," I said bluntly. "Cassidy is the Dark One's ally. She has met with him several times, and you know this. Whatever information she's offering is likely designed to harm you – us."

"I know," Lyla agreed. "But we can't ignore potential intelligence, even from dubious sources. Let's hear this message from Xander and see if it would serve as more motivation to end this. Besides," she added with a dangerous smile, "I'd like to look her in the eye after what she did."

I recognised that expression—the same one she'd worn the last time we had parted ways after I had rejected her. Lyla might look delicate, but she had a core of steel that continually surprised me.

"Just promise me you'll stay behind our lines," I requested. "If this goes badly—"

"I can handle myself," she reminded me. "But yes, I'll be careful."

As we prepared to leave, the uncomfortable awareness of our morning argument returned. She'd clearly set it aside for now, focused on the immediate threat, but her words still hung between us. I don't want to marry you.

"Lyla," I began hesitantly. "About this morning—"

"Not now," she cut me off, her expression softening slightly. "We have more urgent matters. We'll talk after we deal with Cassidy."

I nodded, accepting the temporary reprieve. She was right—Cassidy's unexpected appearance took priority over our personal issues.

Together, we headed to the eastern border where my former fiancée, now enemy, waited with her strange entourage of Ferals.

. Whatever game Cassidy was playing, whatever information she claimed to have, I wouldn't let her anywhere near Lyla if I could help it.

One attempted assassination was enough. There wouldn't be a second chance.

When we arrived at the eastern border, everything was already set. Caius had arranged a meeting ground—a clearing one hundred yards outside the gates of the White Mountain Region, surrounded by our best archers hidden in trees and tall grass.

Lenny coordinated our visible security forces, positioning fifty warriors in the nearby forest, ready to intervene at my signal.

Lyla walked beside me, her face betraying none of the anxiety I knew she must feel. The last time she'd encountered Cassidy, she'd ended up with a knife in her back.

"There she is," Lyla murmured, nodding toward the tree line across the clearing.

Cassidy came out alone, as instructed. She wore simple travelling clothes rather than battle gear, her dark hair pulled back in a practical braid. She carried no visible weapons, though I wouldn't put it past her to have some concealed.

As she approached us, I scanned the forest behind her. Contrary to what Caius had reported, there were no Ferals in sight.

"That's far enough," I called when Cassidy reached the centre of the clearing. She stopped, and her gaze shifted to Lyla, focusing all her attention on her.

"You survived," she stated with a neutral tone. "I wasn't sure you would."

"Disappointed?" Lyla asked coolly.

"Relieved, actually," Cassidy replied, surprising me. "If you'd died, everything would be lost."

I stepped slightly in front of Lyla. "You said you have information from the Dark One. Speak quickly or leave."

"I didn't come with any information from The Dark One," she said quietly, "I came with information that would help you defeat him. I am not his messenger; he didn't send me."

"Yet, you're with Ferals. What are you now? A Moonsinger?"