The Alpha's Fated Outcast: Rise Of The Moonsinger.

Ramsey

"Is he dead?" I heard myself asking.

I was practically clutching at the straws of my heart as I waited for Lenny to reply. His eyes widened as he stared at me with horror.

"Why would you wish death on him?"

"That's how you made it seem. You said you'd leave the explanations to the pack healers so I expected the worst."

"For Moon's sake, Ramsey," he sighed. "He's not dead but their camp was the first camp to be attacked by the Ferals, him and the other Elders there. He's injured, has deep injuries and is currently sedated. They need you to give the go-ahead for the surgery. One of the Feral's teeth got stuck in his…"

"Will he be fine? Is he at risk of dying, perhaps," I interrupted him? "Honestly that's all I want to know. We're in a more dire situation than my grandfather's well-being and I'm sure right now, he has the entire hospital running after him."

"He's not but the healers thought you'd be worried and…"

"That's great. Tell them to go ahead with the surgery. Now, let's discuss something better. Do we know many Ferals this time at least? When did this happen?"

The timeline wasn't important but my mind kept re-echoing, Xander's last words before he walked away. "You may want to check on your pack. My babies get hungry when they're restless."

"Too many…" Lenny replied, his eyes were haunted. "The lower villages – there are heavy casualties there because of the event they had going on. The Warriors are trying to contain it, but…"

"I need to know the number, Lenny," I sucked in a frustrated sigh. "We need to work with numbers. We cannot just send out a troop unless we know what we're working with. Even if it's not the exact number a rough estimate would do."

"Reports say at least five dozen. They struck about twenty - thirty minutes ago," he said eyeing his wristwatch, targeting the eastern part of the pack where the festival preparations were underway."

"The festival," I sighed running a hand through my hair. "Didn't we stop them from gathering in large crowds? Why on earth was the particular order violated?" I said through gritted teeth.

The Midsummer hunt was the Summer Solstice of our world. It was the longest night of the year and usually, the perfect night for hunting. Although it didn't always happen in the capital since it was well-developed and a smaller forest that would not contain us all if we decided to go for a run, the lower villages still practised it.

"How many casualties? What is the death rate like?"

Lenny exhaled deeply. "We don't know yet. Our scouts are still assessing the situation but it's bad, Ramsey. Really bad."

I ran my hand through my already tousled hair, my mind was racing. Xander had known this – had planned this. He stood there, calmly taunting me while his monsters ravaged my people. Fury pulsed through me but I tried to focus on what's ahead.

"Rally everyone. I need all available warriors ready. We move in five minutes. And Lenny…" I grabbed his arm. "Find out if anyone saw The Dark One near the pack before the attack."

Lenny frowned. "Xander? The Dark One?"

"Yes. I just had a … conversation with him. He hinted at the attack before it happened. I should have known this was what he meant."

As Lenny hurried to carry out my orders, I stood alone, feeling the brunt of the leadership on my shoulders. I couldn't stop thinking about what Xander had also said about the White Moon and how marrying Cassidy would help me defeat Nathan.

Was there truth to his claims? Could the throne really hold such power? And Lyla – was she truly bound to Nathan now? The thought sent a spear of pain through my heart.

But I couldn't dwell on that now. My people needed me. Innocents were dying.

I looked up at the sky, where the faint outline of the moon was visible even in daylight. The White Moon, as we call it – not for its colour, but for its purity and power. The same power that supposedly flowed through the royal bloodline and into the ancient throne.

"Give me strength," I whispered to the moon, to the goddess, to whoever might be listening. "Help me protect them. Help me to make the right decisions."

I was not a big believer in the Moon goddess. But right now, she seemed to be my last resort and I didn't know what to expect.

The warriors had already gathered. With a deep breath, I turned and strode towards them. They looked to me with trust and determination in their eyes, ready to follow me into battle, ready to defend our people against the monsters that threatened us.

"The Ferals have attacked our people," I called out, my voice carrying across the clearing. "We've declared war against the erring werewolves. They have ganged up against the throne and rebelled against my leadership. Women and children lie dead because of these abominations. Today, I am taking a step to right, wrongs, to put an end to terror…" I paused.

"We may not have the Moonsinger but we have hope and strength and numbers. This may also be the beginning of an endless cycle of killing and being killed. We will lose families…" My voice cracked at that part. "Loved one and maybe our lives but we have a legacy to protect and we have two enemies. The Dark One and the erring Werewolves."

A roar went up from the assembled warriors, a battle cry that echoed through the trees. I felt Lax stirring inside me, eager for the hunt, eager for vengeance.

"Live today and die tomorrow!"

A louder cry went up before I began to lead them toward the bloodshed that waited for us. As we started another thought nagged at the back of my mind: what if Xander was right? What if marrying Cassidy and claiming the White Moon Throne was the only way to defeat Nathan and save Lyla?

And what if this attack was truly the beginning of something far worse?

As we raced through the trees in our Lycan forms, the scent of blood and fear grew stronger and I made a silent vow: I would protect my people at all costs, even if it meant making alliances I despised or sacrifices that would tear me apart.

Because that was what it meant to be a Lycan Leader. That was the burden I had chosen to bear.

And if Xander thinks he can manipulate me with fear and half-truths, he was about to learn just how dangerous I can be when those I care for are threatened.