The Alpha's Fated Outcast Rise Of The Moonsinger novel Chapter 258

Neriah

I stared at him trying to understand what he meant.

"My grandfathers? The mastermind behind ritual?"

He nodded with a sly smile. "I discovered it too late, Neriah. I was a loyal servant, and I did everything by the book, but I discovered that my sister was one of the Omegas who was sacrificed."

He paused as pain flitted through his eyes. "I betrayed my people that night. I broke the oath and burned down the temple where the rituals were being performed, killing everyone inside – warriors, priests and the Alpha of the Northern Forest's younger brother…" he turned to me "Your father's brother and your uncle."

"So this is why my father has been hunting you all these years? For revenge?"

He laughed. "That's far from it, Neriah. He doesn't want me for revenge, he wants to protect you. You're the last piece of the curse."

"Last piece of the curse? What are you talking about? What do you mean?"

"You were born under the Blood Moon – the same celestial cycle that marks the Omegas destined for the forbidden ritual. So for the first time, the daughter of an Alpha is born with pheromones.

"Is that why my pheromones are so uncontrollable?" I asked him, though I was speaking to myself more. "Is this why my father has never truly loved me – because from the moment I was born, I was meant to be a sacrifice? The whole marriage arrangement with Rian is for what then?"

"A cover-up!" Corvus replied.

"A cover-up, for what?"

"The Lycan Leader isn't offering an alliance, Neriah. He's offering you as a gift to the dark gods to strengthen the Lycan bloodline and the so-called power of the White Moon Throne."

"And my father knew?" I whispered the question, hoping I would be told it was a mistake and my dad had no idea that this was happening.

Corvus laughed. "Of course he knows, Neriah. He performs the ritual. Even the High Priestess doesn't know what goes on and who are the people closest to the High Priestesses? Who are the people who can perform a ritual that is not the high priestess or a Sigma wolf? Your people, Neriah. The Aureans."

I staggered backwards trying to suppress the thousand emotions running inside my head all at once.

"This is not true!" I shook my head. "My father will not give me away to be sacrificed just like that. You're lying to me!" I vented.

"Neriah!" Corvus chuckled. "I recognized you the first time I saw you because you smell exactly like my dead sister. Her pheromones, her heat – the cursed scent. At first, I only wanted to kill you – to stop the ritual from ever happening again… but then, something changed."

"Something changed?" my eyes widened. "What are you talking about?"

"I started watching you. I studied you. You're nicer than most people I meet. You weren't even afraid of me. You helped me without fully knowing who I was and for that I am most grateful."

"So, what happens now? I don't want to die and I don't want to end up with Rian."

"I've thought about it a thousand and one time and the only thing that comes to mind is for you to stall. You can go ahead and accept the marriage proposal but I want you to stall. Give excuses. Under no circumstance should you ever lie with Rian…"

It sounded strange so I had to know. "Why?"

"It's complicated but I need you to trust me on this and…" he paused suddenly looking over my shoulders. I followed the movement of his eyes and saw he was looking in the direction I came from. What was worse, he suddenly looked worried.

"They're beginning to look for you. Hurry now and go."

"Hurry and go?" I asked perplexed. "You said you were going to help me."

"And I will, I promise!" he held my shoulders. "Just another time. In the meantime, stall the marriage process and then slowly, I need you to try to convince the people about horrendous practices going on. I also need you to try to get me inside the pack. Have you ever heard of the standing stones?"

"Yes, yes, morning," he said briskly "Rian was just telling me that both of you have agreed that you'll be going back with him to the White Mountains and stay there to learn more about their traditions until the official joining Ceremony." _{ƒreewebηoveℓ.com}

"Earlier?" I feigned innocence. "What are you talking about?"

"About this morning, Neriah. Where were you off to? I think your father would be angry if he heard that his daughter…"

"First, it's lame to think threatening me with telling my father about my whereabouts that early in the morning when it is a norm for me to go out for my devotions each day by that time shows me how much of an entitled man. You are. Second, I won't be going to the White Mountains with you."

He chuckled. "I heard you were stubborn but I wasn't prepared for this. You do not have a choice, Neriah. My father will not approve for your mother to be treated if you do not go with me."

I shrugged. "Fine, I'm sure my dad will come up with something else. Meanwhile, may I ask you for a favour while we're here? I just need you to clarify something for me."

He nodded, giving me a strange look.

"There must be a reason for your father to decide that you must get married to me. I'm sure you know. Can you tell me?"

"For an alliance between both packs of course and I heard there's an evil on rampage and you have the ability to stop that evil but you will need to be protected with the person selected by the White Moon Throne."

He answered, too quickly. Almost as if he was expecting the question.

"What evil?"

"The evil that is interested in harvesting your power as a Moonsinger, Neriah. That evil broke an oath – the Blood Oath with the Moon Goddess and when he broke it, the oath was twisted against him, binding him to eternal suffering and turning him into something evil."

He was too responsive with his answers. I didn't know what to think.

"I'm guessing you've met Corvus," Rian chuckled and came to me, gently tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. "Did he tell you about his sister who was used as a sacrifice? Did he also say your father is behind it and that the sacrifice is to strengthen our bloodline? What are his new tactics? Tell me…"