The Alpha’s Fated Outcast: Rise Of The Moonsinger
Chapter 69

69 A kiss , reunion and rain … 

Lyla 

I wouldn’t say I liked it when it rains though it had been raining more often than usual and the weather forecast hadn’t mentioned anything about rain and I’d left my umbrella at home .

I stood at the entrance of my company’s building , debating whether to wait it out or make a run for it to the bus stop two blocks away .

I pulled my coat tighter around me , feeling the mist from the rain kiss my cheeks .

The streetlights reflected off the wet pavements .

I sighed as I stared at the sky , it wasn’t showing any signs of stopping soon .

The street was growing emptier and soon there would be no bus to my place .

The last time I had missed the last bus , I had to sleep in my office and all I wanted to do more than anything after a long day at work was to go home to my warm apartment , with a cup of tea and bury myself in layers of blankets .

As I stood there contemplating , the glass doors behind me swooshed open .

I turned and to my surprise , it was Paul , one of the marketing managers .

His short brown hair was a little messy , as though he had run his hand through it one too many times during the day .

He smiled awkwardly , his dark – rimmed glasses slightly fogging from the temperature difference inside and outside the building .

He was holding out a raincoat to me .

“ Hey Lyla ,” he greeted , looking at his feet .

“ Hey Paul , ” I replied returning his smile .

He was always so polite to me , and so considerate .

Over the past few months , I’d caught him stealing glances at me during company meetings and I couldn’t deny the warm flutter in my chest whenever our paths crossed in the break room .

He seemed harmless … but Xander had been that do .

So , I had to caution myself – these days , I stay away from humans especially .

I’ve had three years.

and six months of my life without any drama and I intend to keep it that way .

“ Here , ” he said in a shy voice pointing at the raincoat .

“ You can use this .

I saw you standing out here and thought you might need it .

You’ll get soaked otherwise .

” 

I blinked in surprise .

“ Oh , no , I couldn’t … ” 

* Please ! ” He insisted , already pushing it inside my hand .

“ I’m staying late anyway and I have the company car and driver .

” He pushed his glasses up his nose .

“ So , I insist .

” 

“ Oh , Paul , that’s so thoughtful of you , ” I said , my smile deepening .

Thank you so much .

He nodded .

Pushing his glasses up his nose , a nervous gesture I’d come to replace endearing .

“ Actually , I … um … ” 

I waited patiently , as he gathered courage , a faint blush crept across his cheeks , and I felt my own face warning in response too .

“ The thing is tomorrow is my birthday ,” he finally managed , looking somewhere between my 

GO A kiss , rounion and rain .

eyes and the floor .

“ And I’m new to the city , I don’t really know many people outside of work yet .

And I was wondering , he paused , scratching his head nervously .

“ I’m having a small gathering tomorrow for my birthday .

I didn’t really plan much … I mean , I’ve asked some people and I was wondering … ” He took a deep breath , his gaze meeting mine for a 

moment .

“ If you’re not busy … would you like to come ? There’ll be some people from marketing too .

I know it’s a bother and you might probably want to spend your weekend resting but I’d really like it if you came .

” 

My heart fluttered at the sincerity in his voice .

Here was this successful , kind man , asking me out with all the nervousness of a teenager at his first school dance .

Though we’ve only met up a couple of times within the company , there has always been a warmth in his presence that I appreciated .

He was not like the other managers who carried their titles on their heads .

Paul was humbler and I knew he liked me .

He was always looking at me and now , this invitation and the sweet way he asked .

How could I refuse him ? 

Also , he could be Xander – in another form .

My suspicion was the only defence mechanism I had .

To me , every man was a Xander and Mr Dupree until proven otherwise .

“ I’d love to , ” I said softly .

His eyes lit up and he grinned , looking more relieved than anything .

“ Really ? That’s that’s great .

” Then he glanced at this watch and his eyes widened .

“ Oh shoot , I have a meeting with the board in two minutes and I’ve got to run .

But may I text you the details of you know , where we’re meeting and all ? ” he was already backing toward the door , nearly tripping over his own feet in his haste .

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“ Sure , ” I laughed .

“ Go before you’re late ! ” 

“ Right , yes .

Tomorrow then! ” he disappeared back into the building , leaving me staying there with his raincoat and a grin I couldn’t suppress if I tried .

I looked down at his raincoat , suspiciously … Xander had been using spells on me according to Nanny at some point , and that was what explained all of my erratic behaviours .

I brought out a small vial from my purse … I didn’t know what it was but Nanny always sent it to me .

She said whenever I was unsure about anything , I should sprinkle it .

After sprinkling the dark liquid on it , I slipped the coat on , inhaling the scent of his cologne .

The raincoat was slightly too big for me , but it made it even more endearing and it was warm and comfortable .

Just like a hug , I thought and immediately felt silly for such a romantic notion .

I 

Taking a deep breath , I stepped out into the rain .

The rain however intensified and despite the coat , the wind whipped at my face , sending cold droplets into my eyes .

I raised my hand to shield my eyes , thinking maybe I should’ve waited for the storm to pass 

after 

all .

Suddenly , it stopped raining , or rather , the rain stopped falling on me .

I blinked in confusion and 

69 A kiss reunion and rain … 

looked up .

An umbrella had appeared above my head , large enough to shield me completely from 

the downpour .

Relieved , I looked up to thank whoever it was for their kindness but the words froze in my throat and the world stopped spinning .

My bag slipped from my fingers landing with a wet splash on the sidewalk but I barely noticed .

I was too busy staring into a pair of eyes I never thought I’d see again .

Standing beside me , holding the umbrella was Nathan .

My breath caught in my chest , my heart stopped beating .

The world seemed to blur around me as I locked eyes with his .

It couldn’t be him .

Not here .

Not now .

The Nathan I knew couldn’t have known I work here now .

He didn’t know where I lived , I already moved out from the old address I gave him four years ago .

So , this couldn’t possibly be him .

Maybe it was my grief deceiving me with his face .

“ Thank you ! ” I said , “ You didn’t have to , I’ll take it from here , I told the man .

The man bent down and picked up my bag , when he straightened , his eyes bored into mine gently .

He looked exactly like Nathan and completely different at the same time .

“ Lyla ! ” he said gently .

“ It’s me … Nathan .

” 

“ Nathan ! ” I whispered , shaking my head .

“ That’s that’s not possible .

The Nathan .

I know he’s … this is a mistake ” 

I tried to move away from the Umbrella but he reached for my wrist , tugging me gently towards 

him .

“ It’s really me , Nathan Tanner ! ” he sighed softly .

“ It’s been years .

You look beautiful as always .

I’m sorry , I didn’t reach out … ” 

“ It’s truly you ! ” I said with disbelief in my voice as I turned to him .

“ What are you doing here ? ” I managed to ask proud that my voice remained steady despite the chaos inside me .

His 

gaze travelled over my face .

“ I needed to see you ,” he said simply .

“ It’s been a while .

” 

“ It’s been four years ! ” I retorted .

“ You can’t just … you can’t just show up like this , Nathan .

” 

“ I know ” His free hand twitched at his side as if he wanted to reach for me but thought better of it .

“ But things have changed .

There’s something you need to know .

” 

A crack of thunder made me jump and Nathan stepped closer instinctively , adjusting the umbrella to shield me better from the pouring rain .

“ Whatever it is ,” I said taking a deliberate step back .

“ I don’t want to hear it .

I’m just glad you’re alive .

” I dragged out my bag from his grasp , hiding the trembling of my hands and forcing myself to meet his gaze .

“ I have a life now , Nathan .

A good one .

You can’t just walk back into it and expect … ” 

“ I missed you , Lyla … ” he said suddenly , making the words in my mouth dry .

A tear rolled down his cheek as he drew closer to me again , running a finger on my cheeks .

“ Every day , I prayed to 

60 A kiss reunion and rain … 

the Moon Goddess to allow me to see you again … even if it was for the last time … ” His voice shook as he let his hands drop at his side .

.

Without warning , he gently cupped my cheek , tilting my face towards his .

I saw it in his eyes before he leaned forward but I barely had time to protest what he was about to do before his lips came crashing on mine , 040