The Alpha's Fated Outcast: Rise Of The Moonsinger. - Chapter 412

Chapter 412: Revelations…

Clarissa

I balanced a sleeping Emma on one hip and a stack of patrol reports on the other.

The hallways outside the nursery were filled with footsteps as pack staff went about their duties. I heard laughter from somewhere downstairs and more conversations. As always, the kids weren’t bothered with things like this.

More than anything, they sleep better with all the noise.

I nudged the nursery door open with my knees. Inside, the light was soft and golden, with a wooden mobile spinning over the crib that held Baby Nathan.

I moved over to the other empty baby cot and laid baby Emma down. She stirred, her mouth puckering before she relaxed again and continued sleeping.

“Boots off for naps,” I whispered, because rules mattered even when the boots were small. My mother wouldn’t stop drumming it into my ears that the more I repeat these rules, the easier they’ll grow up and get used to it.

She wore socks covered in stars. I smiled and tugged a blanket up, settling it around her shoulders. I stood there for a second longer than I needed to, memorising every part of Emma before I moved to Baby Nathan, who was sleeping soundly.

Every day, I try to ignore how much Baby Nathan is becoming his father. More than anything, I dread having the conversation where I’d have to explain to him who his father was and what had happened.

Although I know it would be difficult to eliminate the stigma of being Nathan’s mate and Nathan’s offspring for me and my son, I’ve made up my mind that I would never allow my son to go through half of what Lyla went through.

After making sure Baby Nathan was fine, too, I slipped out of the room. As soon as the door closed, my smile faded. It was time to work.

Downstairs, a courier waited at my office door with dust on his shoulders.

“Good evening, Alpha, River numbers,” he said, offering a sealed pouch.

“Thank you,” I signed his ledger, then added. “Hot stew in the kitchen. Tell them I said double.”

He grinned and trotted off.

I broke the seal and spread the maps across my desk. There were ink marks showing where boats had been delayed, where barges had slipped and where smugglers might try the current at night. I pencilled circles, arrows and quick notes.

Problems like this were easier to solve than those related to your emotions.

A soft knock sounded and Beta Jeremy, Nathan’s father peeked in, he hadn’t aged a day since the war. Although he had officially retired as Beta, I still kept him on.

“Alpha!” he called out.

“Beta Jeremy,” I flashed him a smile, “Please come in.”

He nodded and entered my office, glancing at the maps on my table. I finished scribbling, folded the map in half, and then looked up.

“Thank you for making the time to come,” I started. “I know you’re supposed to be resting, but I had no other choice.”

He nodded. “That’s fine. How is the baby?”

“You mean Nathan Jr? You can call him by his name, you know,” I chided him quietly.

“You could have chosen another name, Alpha. Nathan wouldn’t want his child to be named after him, especially after everything that happened.”

Since baby Nathan’s birth, Beta Jeremy, for reasons known to him, has refused to hold the child. He brings gifts, toys and every other thing whenever he comes to the pack house. Aside from that, he has not had any physical contact with the child.

“Well, we’ll leave that for Nathan’s ghost and Baby Nathan to decide. Meanwhile, I called you here today because I need your advice on something.”

Beta Jeremy settled on the sofa before turning to stare at me.

“So, I told you about the meeting I was supposed to have with the core Alphas of the South. They did everything by the book, sent out an invitation and gifts. Everything that a normal person who wants to buy favour would do.”

I paused for a second.

“I have managed to liberate our village from every trace of the war. I have kept them safe until now. I’ve managed this pack better than my father or my husband ever did, but the other Alphas won’t sit with me.”

“They will,” Beta Jeremy said. “They won’t like it. They’ll still do it.”

“Not soon enough,” I pushed the reports aside. “I waited the entire morning until this afternoon for them. I’m done waiting.”

“That’s not a flaw,” Beta Jeremy said again. “It’s reputation.”

“Reputation wins wars and loses councils?” I asked. “I used to think showing up first was a strength. Now I’m thinking strength is making sure the room can’t function without you.”

Beta Jeremy nodded in agreement. “That might be the smartest thing I’ve heard in this office since your father.”

“My father,” I sighed. “He taught me a lot of things without teaching me. I can rule this pack today because of this guidance and tidbits of things I remember.”

“Of course,” he lowered his gaze. “Ruling comes with endurance and grace that are self-taught. Ruling a pack is the hardest thing ever to do.”

I moved to the window, staring out at the training ground that stretched behind my office. Many warriors were sparring and training, talking excitedly while also pushing themselves to their limits. I’d grown up to this.

I was the one who was present, who was curious, always seeking to know, but I was Lyla’s shadow. No matter how much of an outcast Lyla was, she was still the beautiful, popular sister and boy, they never stopped comparing us.

I had to learn how to stand where the light couldn’t reach and still be seen.

“Rumours say I’m only here because Lyla is married to the Lycan King. Because the South became soft after the war. Because Nathan’s… gone.” I choke on the word, not because I was in grief for Nathan, but grief for a version of myself I didn’t have to be anymore.

“I’m tired of being treated as a second fiddle. I won’t stand for it.”

“Good!” Beta Jeremy nodded. “It’s enough to talk, but you have to back it up with actions.”

“That’s what I plan to do. That’s why I’m bringing you back as my Beta, and please do not refuse. I know you’ve said you’re no longer a beta and would never offer your services, but we’re in dire need. I need your time, your intellect and your resources.”

Beta Jeremy was quiet for the longest before he nodded.

“Fine, I’ll do it.”