The Alpha’s Fated Outcast: Rise Of The Moonsinger

146 The Manifestation I Lyla I was in the middle of a clearing .

The moon was shining brightly … so bright that if I reached out for it , I would touch it .

The stars shone with such bright intensity that Id never seen before , pulsing with the rhythm of my heartbeat … the forest was quiet except for the quiet chirp of crickets in the distance .

Lyla … A voice called out to me , filling the space with warmth .

For the first time since my second cleansing , I felt at ease .

As if a voice calling my name in the middle of nowhere was the most natural thing Id ever seen like Id been waiting for my whole life without realizing it .

Slowly , I turned towards the source of the voice .

But I saw Mother Liora pouring water over my head in a ceremonial gesture .

Beside her , Nanny clasped my hands so tightly that I could see her veins popping out from under her skin and she had a serene aura around her .

But something was not right .

Something didnt feel right for a moment .

I was standing here and Mother Liora , Nanny and I were standing a short distance away from me , barely acknowledging my presence .

How was I standing in the clearing while simultaneously standing in front of Mother Liora and Nanny ? I squinted , letting the moonlight illuminate the scene just to make sure the person there wasnt me , but then , I saw her clearly … it was me alright .

Similar features , the same dress … everything was the same .

I tried to move forward , to close the gap between the two versions of myself , but I was rooted to the ground .

I opened my mouth to cry out , but no words would come out .

Lyla … The voice called again , closer this time .

I felt a light brush against my leg and when I looked down , blue eyes brilliant and piercing stared back at me .

Hidden in my shadow and from the moons glow was a magnificent wolf .

Her fur shimmered like liquid starlight , tinted with sparkles of silver and gold .

Under the moonlight , she looked nearly white , but on a closer look , she was a paler colour between silver and white .

Her legs were long and elegant , nearly as tall as mine , and her tail was unlike anything I had ever seen it ended in a forked tip , resembling two branches joined into a longer stem .

She was breathtaking .

Ravishingly beautiful probably the most beautiful wolf Id ever seen .

I thought Nannys wolf was beautiful , but this creature was something else entirely .

She was art brought to life as if the Moon Goddess was so intentional in making her .

100 The Mandestation ! The wolf circled my legs , her lithe body brushing against me .

She rubbed herself against mine , nudging my hand with her nose , urging me to touch her .

I stood momentarily watching her , feeling a burst of happiness course through my body .

Never have I felt so connected to something as I did now .

I felt a synchronization with her heart ; I could hear her heartbeat and feel every part of her within me .

I lowered myself to the ground , stroking her fur as our gaze met again , sending a shiver through my entire body as if she knew me .

Youre so beautiful , I murmured , rubbing her your owner ? I asked .

d with a smile .

Did you get lost ? Where is Her mouth parted slightly , revealing a small set of white pearly teeth , but there was no threat in her expression , only understanding .

She nudged me again , this time with more insistence , and I felt my hands sinking deeper into her fur .

I was fighting the urge to hug her ….

I wanted to do that so badly .

Who are you ? I murmured again .

She tilted her head , her gaze was filled with an intelligence that felt almost human .

Her eyes flickered for a second up and down my form , drawing a laugh from me .

Youre so sassy , I chuckled .

Is your owner around here ? I heard a small scoff as she took a step backwards , gazing at me .

Lyla ! a voice resonated deep in my mind .

I jumped with fright and was about to find the voice again when it came loud and clear , tinged with an edgy tone .

It is me , Lyla … I am you , and Im standing in front of you .

We are one , bound by the Moon and the Sun.

It is time to embrace what youre meant to be .

My eyes widened .

Oh ! Youre in my head … youre talking to me in my head , The subtle eye roll .

Ive been talking to you for years , literally … you listen to every other thing except mine .

Oh ! I laughed , covering my mouth .

I dont know what to say .

Youre my wolf ? Not good enough for you ? she asked , practically glaring at me .

I asked you to name me the last time .

You must do it today .

Im tired of sitting around doing nothing and you need me more than ever .

Its a shame you gave your Moonsinging abilities to Xander .

You know about that ? I asked , still trying to wrap my head around how well we could communicate in my mind .

Im sure I mentioned Ive been inside you for years .

Lyla , focus … she pounded her paws on the ground in front of me .

Now , you should name me … thanks to the cleansing , I can fully come to you , but I must have a name .

Do you remember the reason I gave you for not having a name ? Something about the Moon Goddess is not responsible for making you .

and meld #sala kat wa mth that ! 24 4 146 The Mandestation i Great .

So , what do you want to be called ? Do you have anything in particular ? * Before you blurt out anything , you can only name me once .

Once you call me by a name , theres no going back , you cant change it .

So , until youre sure of a really … really nice name … dont blurt out random words .

O… okay ! I scoff .

You have an attitude , but well deal with that later .

Dont blame me for having an attitude .

Ive been stuck in one place for years .

My legs would love to run too and do a lot of things .

Hurry and choose a name .

She urged .

Do you have any preferences , cos honestly , I have no idea how they name wolves ? How about the name of something or someone that has really stuck long with you ? I thought for a moment and was about to speak when she filtered into my mind , her voice stopping me hastily .

Dont blurt it , Lyla … just say it in your mind , Ill be able to know Oh , sorry ! I gave her an apologetic smile .

How about Truffle ? What ? her eyes widened with shock as she growled at me .

You should give me a name that matches my appearance .

Imagine meeting Lax or Ragnar answering Truffle … I feel embarrassed already Whos Lax or Ragnar ? I asked .

Ramseys wolf and Nathans wolf , respectively .

Oh ! I nodded , shifting slightly .

I didnt think I was up to discussing my messy love life .

How about cake ? Honey ? Love ? Are those the only words in your vocabulary ? Since your vocabulary is so extensive , how about you tell me what you want to be called and lets stop wasting each others time .

Its getting cold already ? I shivered , rubbing at my arins .

Youre in a dream .

How can you be cold ? In a dream ? This looks real ? She groaned .

Lets just do the naming … Okay .

Lets hear your suggestion .

Actually , I have a lot .

I mean , Ive been picking up words here and there , you know … preparing for today , she paused .

Usually , youre supposed to do these things but , youre Lyla … you get stressed by the tiniest of things .

Tell me the names , else , Ill blurt out the first thing that comes to my head .

Fine ! she hissed .

The options are , Isariel , Sylara , Nymeris , Eryndra and Zeryntha .

These names stuck with me .

So , you just have to pick one .

Which of them do you like more ? I asked , stifling a tired yawn .

It is your duty to do that ! she said through gritted teeth .

This is your last strike … if you badmouth me , Im going to blurt out Cupcake .

146 The Manifestation i Isaricl Okay ! I nodded .

Very strange options , but … I guess wed have to manage it that way .

So , which of the names do you like the best ? Just choose any name you want from the three .

I wont mind .

How about Hazel ? I asked .

Too popular and Im a Two tailed wolf , Lyla … I cant just answer normal , cliché names .

Come on … choose from my options .

I studied her for a few minutes , deciding on which of the names would be much easier for me to call .

Okay … I can really choose anything ? Yes ! she nodded .

But from my list .

Okay ! Here goes nothing .

I exhaled .

I chose Nymeris .

I can call you Nym .

She bared her teeth excitedly and her tail wagged , too .

Good choice .

Before I could respond , the world around me disappeared , and I awoke with a gasp .

I was lying in the forest again .