The Alpha’s Fated Outcast: Rise Of The Moonsinger

Chapter 363: Final preparations...

Ramsey

"Isn’t this too much?" Lyla asked, staring at the signed documents on her lap. "I thought these things take months and..."

"You’re my wife now, Lyla," I cut her short, giving her a sideways glance with a smile. "This is the right thing to do."

"I know, but this is less than a day since we tied the knot, and you’re making me an heir already, transferrable when our children come?"

"That’s how it’s done. I can’t choose my grandfather, and this is the only way to ensure nothing happens to the birth rights of our children. You know how it is in our world. The slightest shift of power gives room for anything to happen."

She didn’t respond to that. "What are we doing now?" she asked, leaning back on the car seat.

"One final stop at my office and then we’ll have the rest of the day to ourselves."

We spent the next few hours reviewing pack business together. Despite her unwillingness, I had to beg several times before she agreed.

"You’re being very thorough today," She observed as we finished going over the quarterly budget reports. "Are you that worried about tomorrow night?"

"I want everything in order," I said, which was true enough. "The pack’s security, our finances, emergency protocols. If something happens to me during the fight—"

"Nothing will happen to you," she interrupted firmly, reaching across my desk to take my hand. "I’m the one the prophecy mentions, remember? You’ll be there to protect me, but the sacrifice is mine to make."

Her absolute certainty that she would be the one to die tomorrow night was a blade twisting in my chest. I squeezed her hand gently. "Promise me something."

"Anything."

"If something does go wrong, if I don’t make it through tomorrow, take care of yourself and our children. Let Lenny and Caius, especially Caius, who knows a lot about the pack and what it means to be a Lycan Leader, help you lead the pack. Don’t try to carry everything alone."

Lyla’s eyes filled with concern. "Ramsey, you’re scaring me. What aren’t you telling me?"

Everything, I thought. I’m not telling you everything.

"I’m just being cautious," I said instead. "Tomorrow night will be dangerous. I need to know you’ll be smart about your safety."

She studied my face for a long moment, then nodded. "I promise. But you have to promise me something too."

"What?"

"That you won’t do anything reckless trying to protect me. These babies need their father." Her hand moved to rest on her stomach. "I need my husband, and I feel confident that I may not have to die tomorrow. I would try to stay alive for us and our children. We should be hopeful."

I pulled her closer, burying my face in her hair so she couldn’t see the pain in my eyes.

"I love you," I whispered against her temple. "More than my own life."

"I love you, too," she replied, holding me tightly. "We’re going to get through this, Ramsey. All of us."

That night, she rested against my chest, tracing lazy patterns on my arm.

"I don’t want this night to end," she whispered.

I kissed her forehead. "Can I get like ten, twenty minutes?" I asked, trying to calm my racing heart. We’ve been making love since we came back, and all stopped because Lyla was hungry.

"Did I exhaust you?" she asked, raising herself on one hand to look at me. "I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to, my body just wants you too much."

"Don’t worry," I chuckled, "I want you too, but I need to recuperate and rest properly. We still have tomorrow morning."

She lies back down and laughs. "Fine, I’ll let you be."

We stayed quiet without saying anything. After a few seconds, she called out my name.

"Ramsey?"

"Yeah?"

"Whatever happens after the twin moon... if I die, if something goes wrong, you must find a way to be happy. Even if it means finding someone else."

My throat tightened. "I don’t plan ever to remarry, Lyla. You’re the only woman meant for me."

"But you’ll be happy?" she asked.

"I’ll try," I murmured after a few seconds.

She smiled, her eyes were already drooping sleepily. "Promise?"

I swallowed the lump in my throat. "Promise."

And I held her tighter, knowing it might be the last time until she slept.

After making sure she was deep in sleep, I slipped out of our room and made my way to the underground levels of the pack house. Circe, Miriam and Terra were waiting for me in the ritual chamber—a circular room carved from natural stone that had been used for ceremonies since the pack’s founding.

"Are you ready?" Circe asked as I entered. "Did you get her blood?"

"As ready as I’ll ever be, and yes, I got her blood," I said, handing her the container that held Lyla’s blood.

For the exchange ritual, Circe had me strip down and step into a circle of salt mixed with crushed moonstone. Terra burned sacred herbs that filled the air with thick, aromatic smoke, while Miriam began chanting in the old language.

The magic felt like fire in my veins, burning away everything that was me and enhancing my nature to Lyla’s. My connection to Lax, my wolf, grew stronger until I could feel his presence as clearly as my own heartbeat.

You don’t have to do this, he said in my mind. There might be another way.

There is no other way, I replied. You know that as well as I do.

She’ll never forgive you for taking this choice from her.

She’ll be alive to hate me. That’s all that matters.

Lax fell silent, understanding the finality of my decision.

"The binding with Lyla will keep happening until dawn. By then, it would be strong enough that people would think it’s she when you walk past," Circe said, watching the white light that now emanated from my skin. "Tomorrow night, when the twin moons reach their peak, you’ll be able to channel Lyla’s power to kill the Dark One permanently."

"Will it hurt?" I asked, then immediately felt foolish for the question.

Terra’s expression was kind but honest. "Yes. The binding will feel like your soul is being torn apart. But it will be quick."

I nodded, stepping out of the circle.

"There’s something else," Miriam said as I dressed. "A way to leave something behind for Lyla and your children."

She held out a small crystal pendant, perfectly clear except for a swirl of white light trapped in its centre.

"What is it?"

"A soul fragment. A piece of your essence that will remain in this realm even after the binding." She pressed it into my hand. "It won’t be enough for consciousness or communication, but it will carry your love, your memories of them. Someday, when they’re old enough to understand, it might bring them comfort."

I stared at the pendant, "How do I...?"

"Hold it against your heart and think of them. Let your love flow into it."

I did as she instructed, focusing on every precious memory—Lyla’s laugh, the way she looked when she was concentrating, the feeling of her hand in mine, the knowledge that our children were growing safe inside her. The pendant grew warm, then almost hot, as my emotions poured into it.

When I finally lowered it, the silver light inside had grown brighter. It looked like captured starlight.

"Keep it with you tomorrow night," Circe said. "After everything, I’ll make sure Lyla receives it."

I slipped the chain over my head, tucking the pendant beneath my shirt where it rested against my heart.

"Is there anything else I need to know?"

"The circle will be prepared by tomorrow evening. When the moons reach their peak, bring Lyla to the clearing behind the pack house. She’ll expect to see an army and fight with the Dark One, but when the moment comes, you’ll step forward instead."

"And if she tries to stop me?" noveldrama

"The binding circle will prevent anyone from interfering once it’s activated. But Ramsey..." Circe’s voice grew gentle. "She’ll try to follow you into death if she can. The mate bond is powerful. You’ll need to break it cleanly, quickly, so she can’t use it."

The thought of deliberately severing our connection was agony, but I understood the necessity. If Lyla tried to follow me through the mate bond, she could end up trapped with the Dark One as well.

"I understand."

I left the ritual chamber feeling hollow and electric at the same time. When I returned to our room, Lyla was still sleeping peacefully. I stood in the doorway for a long moment, drinking in the sight of her. Tomorrow night, this would all be a memory.

I slipped into bed beside her as carefully as possible, but she stirred anyway, turning toward me with a sleepy smile. Correct content is on f(r)eew(e)bnovel.(c)o(m)

"You’re cold," she murmured, pressing closer to share her warmth. "And why do you smell like me?"

"Sorry. Couldn’t sleep, so I went for a walk."

"Bad dreams?"

"Something like that."

She was quiet for a moment, then spoke softly into the darkness. "Whatever happens tomorrow, I want you to know that marrying you was the best decision I ever made. These past few months have been the happiest of my life."