The Alpha's Fated Outcast Rise Of The Moonsinger novel Chapter 374

Chapter 374: The Beta’s Burden

Lenny

I sat behind Ramsey’s massive oak desk, surrounded by towers of paperwork that seemed to multiply every time I blinked. Financial reports from three different packs, territorial dispute resolutions, reconstruction budgets for the territories damaged in the war with the Dark One—all of it requiring the Lycan Leader’s attention, and all of it currently my responsibility.

And as always, Ramsey was gone again, with a woman.

And I—Lenny Stone, his eternal loyal Beta and reluctant secretary—was stuck up in his office.

I stared at the stack of documents in front of me, already feeling the throbbing in my temples. The chair squeaked as I leaned back and let out a groan.

"Son of a—"

My phone rang before I could finish the curse. I didn’t need to check the caller ID.

"Circe," I answered, pinching the bridge of my nose.

"Good morning to you, too, dearest brother," she chirped, the sound of crashing waves and seagulls in the background.

I could already picture her lounging in the sun like the exotic queen she thought she was. Circe never stayed put for too long. Alpha Lycan of a coastal pack across the sea, and a wild spirit like me, the only wildness I ever get to practice is to run errands for Ramsey.

"Don’t tell me you’re on a boat again?"

"Yacht, actually," she corrected. "And don’t sound so sour, I’m calling to check in. What’s going on? How have you been? What’s the latest on Ramsey and Lyla? Have they mated and disappeared forever into the realm of irresponsible lovers?"

I sighed and grabbed the nearest file. "Ramsey did what he always does when things settle for half a second—he packed up and left. Said it was a honeymoon. Left me here with a million unresolved disputes, a grumbling southern patrol, unsatisfied werewolf pack Alphas who think we have money growing on trees in the White Mountain region and a rogue border report."

Circe chuckled. "That sounds like him."

I grunted. "I thought the whole ’being a father-to-be’ thing would make him settle down. But nope. Married and vanished. Left me to play Alpha and babysit the rest of the pack."

"Well, someone has to keep the world turning while he plays the dutiful lover," she teased.

"Not funny."

"Oh, come on, Lenny. You always wanted to be in charge. All that calm, calculating wisdom of yours... now’s your time to shine."

I rolled my eyes and stood, walking to the floor-to-ceiling window behind the desk. The training ground was in full motion below, warriors sparring and shouting. I spotted a few of the Moonsinger-trained units as well. Lyla had left behind her mark even in her absence.

"I don’t mind running things," I muttered, "but I didn’t sign up to do it alone."

There was a pause. Then Circe said, "Is this about responsibility or about the fact that you can’t sneak away to see any of your baby mamas?"

"Don’t go there," I said, groaning.

She laughed again, and I let her. Circe was the only person who could tease me like that and get away with it.

"You still don’t believe in the mate bond, do you?" she asked softly after a beat.

I paused, my eyes narrowing at a paper stamped with a rogue patrol seal. "No."

"Even after all you’ve seen with Ramsey and Lyla?"

Verify captcha to read the contentVerify