The Alpha’s Fated Outcast: Rise Of The Moonsinger
Chapter 36

36 The Panther encounter … 

Lyla 

1 

“ What ? ” my eyes widened as my heart began to pound again .

“ What did you say ? ” 

“ That table is asking for you and Mrs Grayson , ” Sarah repeated eyeing me strangely .

“ Are you fine though , 

you … ” 

“ Why ? ” Nanny cut her off , “ What do they want ? ” 

Sarah shrugged , clearly just as puzzled as us .

“ They didn’t say .

They insisted I call the m 

ger and also ask 

Lyla to come .

” 

I and Nanny exchanged worried glances , both of us feeling a knot of unease settling in the pit of our stomachs .

“ Why are we even afraid ? ” Nanny scoffed speaking in our native tongue as she leaned towards me .

“ It’s not like we did anything and you don’t have to worry either , they don’t seem like they’re from Blue Ridge .

” 

I nodded , I wanted to tell her about the weird feelings .

va I have been getting by just staring at both men but I 

10:27 

36 The Panther encounter … 

pushed it aside .

We had a business to run , after all .

“ Well , ” Nanny switched to English , straightening her apron .

“ Let’s see what this is about .

” 

As we made our way across the café to Xander’s table , I tried to steady my breathing .

I could feel a strange pull toward Xander , the same way I had felt today when he had sat next to me .

Unlike his father , it wasn’t fear … it was a strange attraction – the drooly type .

It was as if an invisible thread connected us , tugging at my very core .

3 

– 

When we reached the table , Xander’s face lit up with smiles .

“ Lyla ! ” he exclaimed , flashing me a disarming smile .

“ I didn’t know you worked 1.

I was just telling them you’re my classmate .

” 

I gave the newcomers a hesitant smile , wondering why Xander felt the need to say that .

He was making it sound like a family introduction .

“ Yeah , I’ve been working here for a while .

” 

Before the conversation could go any further , Nanny , 

cut in with a businesslike tone .

“ What can we do for 

you ? ” 

Xander’s father – Mr Dunree sitting across from him 

19:27 

2010 

< 

36 The Panther encounter … 

smiled at Nanny’s directness .

“ We were wondering if you could handle a large takeout order for tomorrow morning – cakes and coffee for about thirty to fifty people .

” 

– 

The woman next to him nodded , her perfectly manicured nails tapping on the table .

“ We’re having a celebration tomorrow morning .

We thought starting them off with coffee and cakes would be lovely .

” 

The woman turned and reached into her designer bag and pulled out a folded piece of paper , handing it to Nanny .

“ Here’s what we had in mind .

” 

Nanny took the list , her eyes scanr 

it .

The items 

were numerous from the snippets I could see and the order needed to be ready by morning .

She sighed softly and shook her head .

“ I’m sorry , but this is a pretty long list for such short notice .

If the event were later in the day , we could manage , but by morning? It’s not just possible .

” 

The three newcomers at the table exchanged glances , as disappointment flickered across their faces .

The woman sighed and nodded .

“ That’s understandable .

I am a dummy for thinking this can be done in a blink of 

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36 The Panther encounter … 

an eye .

I know I should have placed the orders ahead of time .

” 

Nanny , seeing their crestfallen expression , quickly added .

“ There’s another café across town that 

specializes in large orders like this .

I’d be happy to give you their information .

” 

“ Really ? ” the woman turned to Nanny with eyes filled with gratitude .

“ Thank you so much .

” 

“ Don’t mention , ” Miriam chuckled .

“ I’ll go get their 

card , give me a moment , ” she turned and started going back to the counter .

Seeing that I wasn’t following her 

paused and 

asked me in a stern voice .

“ What are you doing , Lyla ? 

Let’s go .

” 

“ Actually , ” Mr Dupree raised his hand as if to stop me .

“ I was hoping I could talk to Lyla .

Do you have time ? ” he 

asked staring at me .

I blinked in surprise , caught off guard by the request .

I hadn’t expected , Mr Dupree to single me out and the sense of unease I’d been feeling all evening spiked .

Before I could respond , Miriam stepped forward , her 

voice tense .

4/10 

< 

36 The Panther encounter … 

“ And why do you need to speak to her? ” she demanded narrowing her eyes .

Mr Dupree raised an eyebrow , amusement dancing in his eyes .

“ My , you’re quite concerned about her , aren’t you ? ” 

“ Because I am her mother ,” Miriam replied , giving him a 

cold look .

Mr Dupree’s expression shifted , softening with a hint of sympathy as he rose to his feet and bowed slightly towards her .

“ Ah , I see .

My apologies if I caused any 

concern .

” 

n a gesture of .

Extending his hands towards Nan peace , he said .

“ I’m Xander’s father .

Xander just joined Lyla’s school and they’ve gone quite far in their curriculum .

I was wondering if Lyla could tutor Him .

I’ve spoken to their teachers and they highly recommended her .

Money is not an issue .

” 

I blinked , caught off guard by the request .

I hadn’t expected that , though the idea of tutoring Xander felt slightly pleasing to me and I couldn’t tell why .

Miriam eyed Mr Dupree warily but nodded .

“ We’ll think 

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it and let you know .

” 

5/10 

< 

36 The Panther encounter … 

With that , the conversation ended .

I and Nanny made 

our way back to the counter before the three people who had joined Xander’s table left .

As I resumed serving other customers , the strange feeling was back .

Occasionally , I would look up at Xander and our gaze 

would meet .

I was making conscious efforts not to walk over to him .

As closing time reached , I started cleaning up .

Wiping down tables , mopping the floors and wiping down the machines .

Xander and his father were the only customers left and since we wanted to be polite , we just cleaned our way around them .

e trash to the Sarah left earlier , so I had to tak dumpster out back .

Finally , with the floors swept and everything in place , what was left for me was to take out the trash bags and I’ll be done for the day .

I hefted the two large trash bags and headed for the back door the cool night air washed against my skin as I closed my eyes , loving the change from the stuffiness inside .

I had just tossed the bags into the dumpster when a low growl froze me in place .

6/10 

< 

36 The Panther encounter … 

“ Well , well .

” A familiar voice drawled from the shadows .

“ Hey , look it’s our friend .

” 

I spun around , my heart hammering as I recognized the shifters from before only , they were just three now .

They emerged from the darkness ; their eyes glowing in the dim street light .

They blocked my path and their leader from before came forward .

— 

“ Looks like the little bitch got lost , again , ” he sneered “ Or maybe you’re a wolf – aren’t you ? Where is Daddy now ? call him to save you .

” 

“ Go ahead ! ” another voice teased “ Shout for him to 

come save you .

” 

My eyes darted to the café’s back door .

It was too far .

I’d never make it even if I make a dash for it .

Plus , these men were Panthers … they were fast .

“ I don’t want any trouble , gentlemen , ” I said trying to keep my voice steady “ You don’t want anything from me .

I am poor and broke and my body is riddled with incurable diseases .

So , just let me go back inside and I promise , I won’t breathe a word of our encounter to 

anyone ,” 

Their leader laughed , a harsh , grating sound .

“ Oh , but 

36 The Panther encounter … 

we do want trouble .

You see , we have a message to send to that new Alpha in town .

And you , little bitch is going to help us deliver it .

Tell him we don’t like his kind around here and that this town belongs to us now , “ .

“ I don’t know him like that ,” I said quietly , my eyes darting back and forth as I tried to assess the situation .

“ You should send him the message yourselves .

I doubt he’d ever listen to me ,” .

“ Really ? ” their leader mocked “ Just tell him anyways .

I have a feeling he might be into you ,” .

“ I don’t want any trouble ,” I said twly backing away from the light .

“ We shal see , ” they crooned in unison their teeth pulled back in glee .

Suddenly , their leader lunged forward with such speed before I could react .

Instinctively , I reached for the discarded broom leaning against the wall – it wasn’t much but it was better than nothing .

I swung the broom with all my might catching the first shifters on the face , momentarily stunning it .

But there were more , and they were faster , stronger .

< 

36 The Panther encounter … 

a 

Just as the second one tried to lunge at me , Mr.

Dupree’s voice came again , he didn’t sound pleased .

“ I thought we already settled this … ” 

When I turned , he was at the entrance of the alley and this time he had Xander with him .

The Panthers snarled , backing away but still poised for a fight .

“ Take Lyla and go ! ” Mr Dupree said to Xander who nodded and reached for my hand .

“ C’mon , let’s get out of here ! ” 

As we sprinted lightly to the back door , just before the 

door closed , I saw Mr Dupree r 

– 

towards the 

panthers – moving with inhuma .

.

speed and grace … “ he struck the first panther , sending it flying into a pile of crates , scattering the bottles in all directions .

I gasped, and turned only to see Xander staring at me with amusement in his eyes .

“ C’mon , ” he said “ My dad hates it when people stare too much .

” 

37 The rift in our world …