The Alpha’s Fated Outcast: Rise Of The Moonsinger

Chapter 371: When all masks fall...

Miriam

"He’ll be killed, just like how previous Moonsingers killed him," Lyla commented, "But this time, he won’t be born again. This would be his end."

Ramsey stood there, his face a mask of disbelief and growing anger. I could see his mind racing, trying to process everything we’d just revealed to him.

"So all the prophecies were wrong?" he asked finally.

I nodded solemnly. "The only prophecy that was the real deal was the one given 10,000 years ago after the death of the last Moonsinger. ’When Silver Wolf and Golden Sun unite, A child of both worlds shall come to light. In its veins, the goddess’s power flows, to shape the future, for friend or foe."

I gestured toward Lyla, "That was the only true prophecy given. All the others—the twin moon prophecy, the half-burned fragments we planted in Alpha Logan’s study, the binding rituals—all of it was false information designed to mislead Xander."

Ramsey scoffed, running his hands through his hair in frustration. "All this while, you all led me on, and I was so foolish to believe everything."

"That was exactly why we couldn’t let many people know what was going on," I said gently. "Your reaction, your genuine fear and desperation, even Nathan’s death—none of that was planned, but it all helped convince the Dark One that he had the upper hand."

Ramsey shook his head in amazement and hurt. "This is crazy. So the whole soul binding thing, me exchanging my soul with Lyla’s?"

Circe smiled, although sadness lingered in her eyes. "Random beauty spells and cleansing rituals, nothing more. Everything was designed to fool Xander into thinking he was in charge. He thought we were doing everything to keep Lyla alive."

She gestured toward the ritual circle where we’d performed tonight’s final act. "Tonight, I used my powers as a witch under the pretence that I would die for the Moonsinger and that Lyla would need to be sacrificed too, since I was rejected for not making a worthy sacrifice. We had to fuel his greed, his absolute certainty that he was about to claim the ultimate victory."

I stepped forward, needing Ramsey to understand the scope of what we’d accomplished. "Tell me, Ramsey—in all your research about Moonsingers and the Dark One, did you ever read about any of the previous Moonsingers being killed by him?"

Ramsey frowned, thinking. "No... they always defeated him and lived to old age..."

"Exactly," I said. "Because this is how it’s supposed to work. The Dark One preys on fear, on the belief that defeating him requires ultimate sacrifice. But the truth is, Moonsingers are meant to kill the Dark One. Though their destinies are tied together, they’re his bane."

My voice grew heavy with grief. "Mother Liora paid the ultimate sacrifice for this victory. She formed the plan, coordinated all of us, and gave her life to ensure Xander would be led to this moment of weakness."

At that moment, Xander’s agonised voice drew our attention. He was clawing at his chest, tears streaming down his face as he tried desperately to escape the ritual circle. He seemed to be choking.

"Please," he begged, "I don’t understand what’s happening to me. The power—it’s all gone. How is this possible?"

Ramsey turned to us, confused. "So Xander doesn’t have any powers? And what about the twin moons? How did that happen?"

Lyla smiled as she turned to her husband. "Xander has no power left. During the cleansing ritual at White Lake Pack, I used that opportunity to close the portal I had mistakenly opened. And slowly, through all our fights, all our confrontations, I used each encounter to steal whatever power he still had. We kept him entertained enough to ensure he didn’t understand what was happening to his body."

She looked up at the sky where a full moon was slowly disappearing to welcome the dawn. The twin moons were pure coincidence, as if the world itself was supporting us. Everything just worked out perfectly."

Ramsey sighed deeply, then came to where Lyla stood. He pulled her into his arms and kissed her forehead tenderly. You’re spectacular," he murmured against her skin. Absolutely spectacular." noveldrama

After a moment, he stepped back, and Lyla turned to face Xander one final time.

"I told you I would win," she said calmly.

Xander looked up at her with desperate eyes. How? How did you—"

"Do you want to know why?" Lyla interrupted. I’ll tell you anyway."

She moved to stand in front of us, the priestesses who had maintained our circle throughout the confrontation. Erra, Circe, and I all joined hands, our combined power creating a web of energy that surrounded the ritual space.

Cassidy raised her hands to the sky, and we all felt her powers connecting with ours.

Then we began the final incantation, our voices joining in perfect harmony:

"By moon and star, by earth and flame, We call upon the sacred name: Neriah’s light, pure and bright, Banish darkness from our sight.

What was stolen, now return, let the shadow’s power burn. From this realm, forever cast, this corruption cannot last.

By the goddess’s holy will, Evil’s heart we now do still. Turn to dust, turn to ash, let this darkness fade and pass.

No more shall you walk this ground, No more shall your voice resound. Into void, into night, Vanish from our sacred sight."

Our voices grew stronger with each verse, rising into a crescendo that seemed to shake the very foundations of the earth. The power flowing through our joined hands was unlike anything I’d ever experienced—pure, cleansing, complete.

Xander began writhing in agony, his human form starting to crack and splinter like old parchment. He cried out in pain as the false flesh fell away, revealing the twisted shadow creature he’d become. But even that form couldn’t withstand our combined will.

"Please!" he screamed. I can change! I can be better!"

But it was too late. As the first ray of true sunlight broke over the horizon, Xander’s form disintegrated completely.

He turned to ash that scattered on the morning breeze, every trace of his existence wiped from the world as if he’d never been.

The ritual circle fell silent.

For a moment, we all stood there, hardly daring to believe it was truly over. Then Lyla turned to face us, uncertainty in her eyes.

"I think we did it," she murmured, "I feel different."

Then Terra let out a whoop of joy, unlinking her hands with mine as she turned to hug me.

"We did it!" Cassidy laughed, spinning around with her arms spread wide. We actually did it!"

"Mother Liora’s plan worked," Circe said, her voice thick with emotion. The Dark One is gone forever."

I looked to my daughter, feeling the weight she’d carried for decades finally lift from her shoulders. Her eyes were filled with unshed tears, and I knew for the first time since her birth that Lyla would truly be at peace.

The world was safe. The future was bright.

"Luna!" Terra’s suddenly panicked voice cut through our celebration. Luna, you’re bleeding!"

All eyes turned to Lyla, and my heart nearly stopped. Dark red stains were spreading down her legs, blood pooling at her feet.

The twins. Something was wrong with the twins.

"Someone find a doctor!" I shouted, rushing towards her. Now!"

But Ramsey was faster; he swept Lyla into his arms and began running towards the pack house.

I couldn’t help but think that even in victory, even with the world saved, fate still demanded its price.

I just prayed we wouldn’t lose the future we’d fought so hard to protect.