The Alpha’s Fated Outcast: Rise Of The Moonsinger
Chapter 35

35 Shadows and whispers … 

35 Shadows and whispers … 

Lyla 

At that moment … I would have gladly chosen the shifters but they seemed to shrink back at the sight of Mr Dupree , their cocky expressions fading into apprehension .

The alley fell into an eerie silence as Mr Dupree’s imposing figure loomed at the entrance .

My eyes darted between him and the shifters , my body growing tense with surprise and wariness .

First of all , what was he doing e ? Second , why were the shifters looking scared ? He was a human , if anything he should be the one backing away from them .

Why did it seem they were shrinking under his gaze , looking at him sheepishly ? 

“ Why is no one answering my question ? ” Mr Dupree chuckled – even that sounded sinister .

“ Is there a problem here ? ” 

The leader of the shifters , the one that had tried to flirt with me in the café shook his head .

“ None , we were just leaving ,” he muttered .

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35 Shadows and whispers … 

I watched as they turned and hurried away .

As they disappeared from my line of vision , I found myself alone with Mr D.

The relief I felt at the shifter’s departure was quickly overshadowed by a new kind of unease .

I forced a nonchalant smile as I stepped back , trying to suppress the urge to run .

Swallowing hard , I murmured turning to Mr Dupree whose gaze was on me now .

“ They’re just lowlifes , I could have handled them .

” 

His lips curled into a smile that didn’t reach his eyes .

“ It didn’t look that way to me , Miss Lyla .

Are you alright though ? Did they try to attack you ? ” he asked , as his gaze flickered all over my body .

I felt exposed .

“ No ! ” I shook my head eager to change the subject , I blurted out .

“ What are you doing here ? ” I winced internally at how accusatory it sounded .

If he was offended by my question he didn’t show it , instead , his expression softened , though it did little to ease my nerves .

“ I live in the neighbourhood , ” he replied casually .

“ Xander and I were just taking an evening stroll.

We were in the coffee shop a while ago 

19:27 

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< 

35 Shadows and whispers … 

when I overheard those men talking about teaching someone a lesson .

” His eyes bore into mine .

“ When I saw you heading towards the back door and those men leaving shortly after , I put two and two together .

” 

I shifted uncomfortably under his intense gaze .

There was something about the way he looked at me as if he could see right through me .

“ I didn’t realize I was followed .

Thank you for helping me , ” I said awkwardly , my fingers twitching as I resisted the urge to light another cigarette .

“ You shouldn’t be in dark alleys at this hour , ” he continued , his eyes straying to the cigarette pack peeking out of my pocket .

“ And sn woman .

You should know better .

” 

g ? You’re a 

My cheeks burned at the condescending remark .

I opened my mouth to retort but I thought better of it .

Instead , I managed another tense , uncomfortable smile .

“ Yeah … I should probably head back inside , ” I said taking a step towards the café’s back door .

“ Thank you for … intervening and saving me .

” 

། 

As I moved to go , his voice stopped me.

“ Those men are panther shifters , ” he said his tone as cold as ever .

“ They might come back ; cats can be quite vengeful .

So , 

35 Shadows and whispers … 

I’d advise you not to wander around alone again .

” 

I froze my hand on the door handle .

How did he know 

about shifters ? And why did it sound like he knew more than he was letting on ? My brow furrowed slightly as I processed what he was saying .

Panther shifters ? Panthers are messengers .

In the mythical world , they’re always used to track stray were – creatures and since they could mask their scent naturally and take up any form just like 

Werefoxes , they had access to almost any realm .

What were they doing here ? 

Mr Dupree’s voice cut into my thhts .

“ Is it common to see shifters in this part of tow 

I turned back to face him , shaking my head , my unease growing .

“ No ,” I said slowly .

“ This is my first time running into any .

” 

He nodded as if I had confirmed something for him .

“ Well , be careful , Miss Lyla .

The world can be a dangerous place for a young woman … especially one with your unique qualities .

Before I could ask him what he meant by that , he turned and walked away , disappearing around the 

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< 

35 Shadows and whispers … 

corner of the building .

I stood there for a moment , watching him go , my skin prickling in a way it hadn’t done in a long time .

I rubbed my arms , trying to shake off the unsettling feeling .

My instincts were screaming that something wasn’t right , but I couldn’t quite put my finger on it .

Taking a deep breath , I turned and went back inside 

the café .

Inside , the familiar warmth of the place did little to soothe my frayed nerves .

My eyes scanned the room , and they immediately landed on Xander .

He was sitting at one of the tables , casually scring through his phone while sipping coffee and plain cake .

He looked completely at ease as if he hadn’t a care in the world .

They must have come in when I was having those mysterious calls .

oling on a slice of 

My eyes lingered on Xander for a moment .

Something about him and his father felt … off .

Earlier , Mr Dupree had talked about those shifters as if he knew I would understand what he meant .

He didn’t treat me like I was human .

Was he a werewolf or any 

were – creature ? 

other 

I watched as he entered the café and made his way to 

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35 Shadows and whispers … 

Xander’s table .

He leaned down , whispering something in Xander’s ears before taking the seat opposite him .

A casual observer might have seen nothing wrong in the interaction but to me , it felt strange .

Despite Mr Dupree’s imposing presence and a strange aura that commanded the respect he seemed to carry, the way he bowed his head as he spoke to Xander struck me as odd .

It was almost as if , despite 

appearance , Mr Dupree was the servant and Xander 

the master .

As this thought crossed my mind , Xander suddenly lifted his eyes and our gaze met .

his face and he raised his hand w 

mile spread across 

ng at me in a friendly manner .

The moment our eyes locked , that 

prickle of apprehension returned in full force , sending a shiver down my spine .

My breath caught in my throat as I managed a weak smile, feeling my heart beat a little too fast as I awkwardly waved back .

Quickly , I looked away, hoping to avoid further interaction .

I needed to focus , get back to work and ignore the growing sense of dread curling in my stomach .

But before I could fully retreat, the front door of the café swung open again .

35 Shadows and whispers … 

— 

Three newcomers entered two women and a man .

Their scents hit me … they were werewolves .

They moved immediately to Xander and Mr Dupree’s table that was when everything dawned on me .

They were all werewolves .

There was no way they could associate with those two and not be wolves .

My mood soured instantly and my mind whirled with questions .

Were they from my pack ? Were they here to replace me ? 

Then I remembered that my parents had been glad to let me go and it couldn’t possibly be my ex – mate .

Nathan ! My mind wandered to my friend as I slipped 、 out my phone to check if there v 

any messages .

There was none .

“ Do you mind attending to the newcomers ? ” I asked Sarah who didn’t seem busy .

“ Sure ! ” she flashed me a smile and took the menus to 

their table .

Another realization struck me .

I hadn’t picked up any werewolf scent from Xander or his dad … , now that I thought about it , I couldn’t detect any scent from them at all .

My mind raced as I glanced at them again .

Sarah 

was done taking their orders and the 

ΤΑΤΟ 

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35 Shadows and whispers … 

newcomers seemed to be whispering something to 

Xander who continued drinking his coffee and nibbling 

on his cake .

– 

Who or what were Xander and his father ? They 

clearly knew about the mythic al world but they weren’t werewolves or shifters .

And why were they associating with these werewolves ? 

“ Everything okay ? ” Nanny’s voice startled me out of my thoughts .

I nearly jumped but caught myself at the dying minute as I turned to her with a forced smile .

“ I’m fine ! ” I said “ Just that , a grou 

werewolves 

entered a while ago and I’m pissing myself with worry that my dad might have sent them but that’s impossible right ? He doesn’t like me that way ? ” 

Nanny’s eyes immediately narrowed – not with fear , she was never afraid of anything , just caution .

“ The ones sitting at two tables near the window facing the streets ? ” she asked me , arranging stuffs on the 

counter .

“ Exactly , ” I nodded .

“ Although the handsome kid with amber eves is my classmate .

A transfer student and 

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35 Shadows and whispers … 

that’s his father , the one sitting opposite him .

” 

“ Are they werewolves too ? ” Nanny asked , cleaning the counter now , giving them another casual glance .

“ I can’t tell ! ” I responded .

“ I didn’t pick up any scent and earlier , I … ” I trailed off .

I was going to tell Nanny about the Panthers but , I would have to tell her why I had gone to the back of the shop , she’d be hurt if she knew I had gone to 

smoke.

R 

Before I could decide on what to tell her , Sarah 

returned to the counter with a weird smile on her face .

“ Lyla , they’re asking for you ? ” 

“ A – Asking for me ? ” I jabbed my index finger at my 

chest , knowing what she was talking about even before she said it .

“ Who ? ” 

“ The people on that table , ” she pointed at Xander’s table “ Not just you , but also Mrs Grayson .

”