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

Neriah

When I looked up, he watched me intently and his eyes held…an emotion I could not explain.

"Let me go!" I said through gritted teeth.

"No!" he shook his head. "Stay…" then turning to the crowd he said. "I Rian accept you as my mate, Neriah." And then he lowered his mouth and captured my lips.

The kiss had been so sudden but when I recovered, I pushed him away from me, hating how compromised the whole thing was now. I turned to the pack members and saw them watching me with disdain. It was bad enough that I was already the black sheep of the pack but this….?

Thames was their favourite pack child. Everyone loved him, cherished him and now I've hurt him. I'm sure no one considered that there was a s huge possibility that my father was behind this.

I remained in stony silence as we completed the engagement process by the end of the night, Rian presented me with a ring as proof of our newfound engagement.

The night continued after that and after I left the stage in forced merriment. Laughter and music echoed, but I could only hear the faint ringing in my ears. I couldn't believe my father would crush me with an announcement like that and put my life at a standstill.

I've tried to reach out to Thames but I cannot. Plus my dad had left strict orders with the sentry on duty around the clearing not to let me go until the night was well spent. But now, I was standing alone again.

My so-called fiancée – the last time I saw him was charming his way into the heart of an Alpha who was giggling like a girl. I needed to find him. If anyone could help me it would be him.

My hands trembled at my sides as I weaved through the crowd. I was searching for Rian.

My heart pounded in my chest, each beat echoing louder with every step I took. The need to confront him clawed at my insides. I needed to stop this before it could begin – before my life was stripped away from me completely.

I wanted Thames – Not Rian.

Finally, I spotted him standing near the edge of the clearing, half-hidden by shadows. He was deep in conversation with a group of men. His posture was relaxed – too relaxed for someone whose life had just been tired to a woman he'd never even met before tonight.

My throat tightened.

For a moment, I hesitated. Would he even care? Would he listen?

But the memory of his amused smile at the food table flickered in my mind – how he had spoken to me without pretence or arrogance. Maybe… just maybe… he wasn't entirely like the others.

I forced my feet to move, stopping a few steps away from him.

"Rian."

He turned his head, those amber eyes finding his mind almost instantly. A slow, knowing smile crept onto his face as if he'd been waiting for me.

"Neriah," his voice was smooth, low – dangerous. "I was starting to wonder when you'd come."

My heart shattered.

"You knew I would?"

His smile widened slightly. "I could see the horror written all over your face when your father called out your name and asked you to join us. I thought we had this instant chemistry and you'd like to be with a man like me. I was hurt, still hurt."

My fingers curled into fists at my sides.

"Then you should know why I'm here."

He inclined his head, dismissing the men around him with a flick of his wrists. When they were gone, he took a slow step closer – close enough for me to catch the faint scent of cedar and smoke clinging to him.

"I'm listening."

I swallowed hard, my pulse hammering in my throat. I glanced around quickly to make sure no one was paying attention to us before lowering my voice.

"You have to call it off."

He arched a brow, as amusement flickered in his eyes.

"Do I?"

"I'm not… I'm not yours to marry," I whispered fiercely. "I already have a mate."

For a brief second, something flickered in his gaze – too fast for me to catch. Then his expression smoothed over into that same infuriatingly calm mask.

"A mate?" he tilted his head, eyes glinting. "Where is he then?"

My heart squeezed painfully in my chest.

"He… he's not here."

He smiled. "How convenient."

Annoyance flashed through me. "I'm telling you, Rian. This isn't right – for either of us. I already have a fated mate and I love him so much."

He leaned in just slightly, just so far enough that I'd be able to hear what he was saying.

"You think I have a choice in this?"

I blinked, caught off guard.

He searched my face for a long moment, then straightened, his expression was unreadable.

"I don't want this any more than you do, Neriah. I wasn't going to accept the proposal when my father told me. But I wanted to give it a shot, that's why I met you before the introduction and now I want you more than ever. I also had a woman I've been engaged to be married to for five years."

"Then fight it," I pleaded, my voice cracking. "Refuse. If we both say no, they can't force us."

A muscle ticked in his jaw, but he remained silent. Something told me this man wasn't as powerless as he claimed to be. He was choosing to play along – but why?

My desperation clawed higher in my chest, threatening to spill over.

"Please," I whispered. I could feel tears burning in the corner of my eyes. "I can't do this. I love Thames so much. It's bad that I already hurt him with this and this is the only chance I have to remedy the situation."

"Your father won't like that," he said quietly. "This marriage is not because we both want it. It's for the sake of our world."

"I want to put myself first," I cried. "I want to be happy first before I help my world."

Rian's gaze locked onto mine. For a moment, I thought he might relent – that he might agree to help me. But then he leaned in close, his breath brushing against my ear.

"I don't owe you anything, Neriah." My heart clenched. "You will marry me," he murmured. "Whether you want to or not."

My breath caught painfully in my throat. He pulled back, his amber eyes glinting with something I couldn't quite place. Then he turned on his heel and walked away, leaving me standing frozen in place. My chest ached, the rejection slicking through me like a blade. Tears burned at the back of my eyes, but I swallowed them down.

No. I wouldn't cry – not here. Not now and surely not in front of him.

The night dragged on and I was forced to do rounds with Rian greeting the guest that came over. By the time the last of the guests began trickling out, my head was pounding and my body ached with exhaustion.

I thought I might be able to slip away unnocticed – but fate had other plans.

"Neriah."

When it turned it was my dad. His dark eyes locked onto me like a predator closing in on its prey.

"Come."

"Dad, can't it wait. I am already…"

One stern gaze from me was all it took for me to follow behind him quietly. We walked towards the path that led to his office.l When we arrived, he entered and left the door open behind him – an unspoken order for me to follow.

My hands curled into fists as my sides as I crossed the threshold.

The door clicked shut behind me. For a long moment, there was only silence then my father broke it.

"You may not understand a lot of things, Neriah but all I ever want is your happiness. The Lycan's can protect you," he turned to face me. "If what you have falls into the wrong hand, the fate of our world…"

"What I have?" I interrupted him. "This statement again, father. You always say this and then never bother telling me what is this thing I have that would require I give up the love of my life for it. I love Thames, Dad… I want to be with him not some stuck up…"

"If you had listened to me and not go ahead with accepting Thames, none of this would have happened."

"He is my fated mate, Father!" I screamed, hating how he has selectively chosen to ignore that piece of information.

"And you're not meant to be with him. Rian will protect you from yourself and the future. You want to risk your life and the fate of this world over some tingling sensation in your heart? Rian will give you everything Thames can give you. All you need to do is…"

"No!" I shook my head, as tears started dstreaming down my cheek. "I don't want any man but Thames…"

"If you refuse Rian then the Dark One will gladly have you!"