The Summer Moon
Chapter 41 -

Malia

The next morning, I woke up with a smile on my face, remembering the amazing night I had spent with Ty. It quickly disappeared though, as my phone rang and my mother's name appeared. I groaned and answered her call, then spent the next 20 minutes listening to her ramble about the benefits of a good morning skin care routine, and the awful pimples yesterday's presenter had. Thankfully, I was able to get out of the conversation when Savanah knocked on the door. "Sweetheart, a delivery came for you," Savanah said as she walked into the room carrying a black vase filled with the most beautiful red tulips. My eyes lit up as I walked over to her and pulled out the note attached.

You look more and more beautiful every day. Thanks for letting me crash your date last night. I can't wait to see you again. ~ Ty

My heart beat fast in my chest as I sighed and held the note against my chest. These flowers were beautiful, he was adorable and wonderful and I seriously couldn't believe he had sent these. Ty was behaving like a perfect boyfriend, he always had, but deep down a part of me was still afraid of what he was. I wasn't sure how I could have a future with him, or what that future would look like.

I placed the vase of flowers on my dresser then fell back onto my bed. I had a lot to think about, I didn't want to lead Ty on. I couldn't imagine being with anyone else, my heart only wanted him. My brain, however, would take a little more convincing. Logically, nothing about him or his life made any sense to me, and how was I supposed to fit into that?

I groaned and jumped into the shower, cleaning myself up before throwing on a blue sundress. Savanah didn't need me at the bakery today, so I decided I would spend the day exploring the town some more, and maybe meet up with Emily in the afternoon. I needed to take some time alone and away from the werewolf world for now. I had a lot to think about and, hopefully, today I could clear some of that up.

I rode my bike into town and decided to pick a spot in the park to read. Reading had always helped clear my head, so I leaned back against a tree and sat in the grass, then cracked open my book. After nearly an hour of reading I was feeling a little more settled, but it faded all too quickly as I looked up and met Ty's eyes at the border of the trees.

He stood with two other guys whose faces I couldn't make out, looking hot as hell in a simple pair of cargo shorts and a t-shirt. He noticed me from a distance and smiled at me but was clearly having an important conversation with the guys because he made no gesture to come over here.

My mind began to race again, all my problems coming to the surface. How can I live in a life full of werewolves? And with someone who's not only a werewolf but their leader? What if I was a werewolf? Would I be forced to stay here? Would Ty be in charge of me too? Or worse, what if I wasn't a werewolf? Then I'd really have no place in Ty's world.

I groaned and leaned my head down onto my knees. This was all too much to handle. My heart was beginning to ache again, so I placed my book back in my bag, jumped on my bike and pedalled off. Deciding to go to Emily's house next, I was excited to replace her lounging by the pool in their backyard. "Malia!" She shouted and waved me over. "What are you up to, girly?"

"Hey, I'm sort of just wandering around today. I wanted to get out of the house," I explained to her. She pulled down her sun glasses and looked me over.

"Well, stay here, come on, I'll get you a swim suit," she said, standing and pulling me into the house after her. The bikini she picked out for me was a little too revealing for my taste, but I wasn't about to complain. I was just excited to spend the rest of my day relaxing by the pool.

"So how's Ty?" Emily wiggled her eyebrows at me as we each sprawled out on a chaise. I leaned back and felt the warm sun on my face.

“He's um, good” I said nervously. I didn't really know how to explain what was going on between me and Ty right now. Technically we were a couple, I guess, but everything had just been so complicated lately.

"Oh, come on, you have to give me more than that," Emily groaned.

"Well, I'm sort of just taking time to think right now," I said slowly, fiddling with my hands.

"About what! Ty's 1, super hot, 2, rich, 3, totally crazy about you, what is there to think about!" Emily began rambling, but her eyes softened as she met my gaze. I looked down to the pavement, if only it could be that simple. "Sorry, I know this is hard for you," Emily leaned back in her own chair again and thankfully let the topic go.

We spent the next while sitting in silence, Emily aimlessly scrolled through her phone while I read my book. Jesse came outside as well and sat in a chair looking through some paperwork. I watched as Emily and Jesse exchanged a strange look, but quickly let it go. There have been too many strange things going on lately to add in anymore.

"I think I'm going to go get some water," I said, deciding I needed to stretch my legs. Emily giggled at me then quickly stifled it, covering her mouth. I looked at her confused but she just shook her head.

"No problem! Have fun!" She waved me away and I turned back to the house. Why was she being so weird today?

As I walked inside, I wrapped a towel around myself then filled a glass of water at the sink. That's when I heard him, his smooth voice echoing through the house.

"No, I'll be there shortly, just making a stop at Jesse's to pick up the papers," I heard Ty say and my body stiffened. What was he doing here? First I ran into him at the park, and now here? I mean, what were the chances? I scrambled out of the kitchen, surely he would be coming this way to go outside. But as I went the way opposite of where I thought he would be coming from, I was shocked to collide with a hard wall.

"Woah," and just like that his arms were around me, tingles shooting through my body. "Hey gorgeous," Ty smiled in that breath-taking way as I looked up at him. I gripped his arms to hold me up and blushed furiously, that was so embarrassing. Ty's eyes suddenly turned dark as he looked me over and I realized my towel had fallen to the floor.

Before I knew what was happening, I was up in Ty's arms, my back pressed against the wall. I wrapped my legs around him instinctively and tangled my hands in his hair, enjoying the feeling of his body pressed against mine. "Goddess, what are you trying to do to me Lia?" Ty's voice was hoarse as he kissed down my neck and a moan escaped my lips. "You look so fucking hot," he said backing away slightly to look me over.

He loosened his grip on me and let me stand on the floor in front of him once more. "I-I actually just have to go, I was on my way out," I mumbled, quickly wrapping the towel around my body again. I needed to get out of here before this went too far and my mind went all foggy again.

"Oh, do you need a ride?" He raised his eyebrow at me but I quickly shook my head and scurried away. I pulled my dress over my head and dashed out the front door, disappointed to see that Ty was already waiting by my bike for me. "Are you avoiding me? He crossed his arms over his chest and leaned against the house.

"Of-of course not," I stumbled over my words and internally groaned, that was so not convincing.

"Oh?" Ty looked me over again, obviously not believing me.

I took a deep breath and tried again, "I'm not avoiding you, just have to get home," I gave him a small smile but he could always see through my lies better than anyone.

"Lia," he sighed my name, taking a step closer to me. His hand came up to smooth over my hair, and for a moment it was quiet between us. "Are you freaking out again?" He finally asked, and I bit down on my bottom lip. How did he always manage to read me so well? I couldn't lie to him this time, so I slowly nodded my head. His shoulders dropped for a second, his head falling backwards to look up at the sky. He let out another sigh, but quickly composed himself. "If you want to talk, I'm here for you" Ty whispered, his lips brushing against my forehead. I nodded my head, he really was too sweet. Then my attention was drawn from him as I saw Emily coming around the building.

"Ty said you had to leave, everything okay?" She smirked at me knowingly, and I realized she must have known Ty would be here. Once I saw Ty walk out of sight, leaving the two of us alone, I sighed and let my head fall into my hands. "Why is he everywhere?" I groaned. It was impossible to clear my head if he was always going to be around.

"Because he's your mate duh, you guys are drawn together. Also, in case you haven't noticed, he's sort of obsessed with you. He wants to see you, be happy about that," Emily shook my shoulders, but I just groaned again.

"I have to go, I'll see you later," I said, climbing onto my bike. Emily smiled and waved back at me as I pedalled down the street.

The rest of the day, I locked myself in my room, deciding this was the only place I could get time alone to think. Every time I went near Ty my mind just went foggy, all I wanted to do was touch him, kiss him, lick him... I groaned and fell back onto my pillow. This was getting exhausting. Why couldn't I get him off my mind?

Suddenly, a loud howl came from the woods and I jumped up from my bed. My mind flashed back to Emily's party. No. No. No. This can't be happening again. I opened my door and ran down the steps. I ran out onto the grass and towards the woods with only one thing on my mind. Ty.

Then out of the woods, a large wolf came running towards me, reaching me impossibly fast. Just as he lunged forwards, another wolf tackled him to the ground and I let out a piercing scream. My eyes squeezed shut, unable to watch the struggling between the wolves in front of me, but it seemingly went quiet just as quickly as it had begun. Then a set of strong arms wrapped around my waist, lifting me off the ground and up over his shoulder.

Looking down at the familiar man below me, I shouted, "Ty!" I hit my hands against his back in frustration, but I couldn't deny the sense of calm his touch brought to me. My entire body was trembling with fear of what had just happened. In the place where I had just stood, a lifeless wolf's body laid on the grass, its blood seeping out. A chill ran through me, the tears burned at the corners of my eyes, threatening to fall. Once on the porch again, I slid back down Ty's body and was relieved to have my feet on the ground again. Yet, my entire body went even colder when I looked up to meet Ty's eyes.

"What are you doing out of the house? Are you trying to get yourself killed!" Ty's eyes were pitch black. They burned through me and I saw an anger in him I'd never imagined. His hands were clenched into fists, his entire body tense. My body trembled more than it had before, my eyes going wide as I pulled back from him. "Get inside now!" Ty growled and I jumped. The tears poured down my cheeks freely now as I scurried inside and locked the door behind me. I climbed into my bed, unable to control my shaking, all while the howls continued in the woods.

When the howls finally stopped, I heard a knock at the door, followed by someone trying the handle only to be disappointed that it was locked. I wrapped my blanket around me tightly.

"Malia, please open the door. I'm so sorry I shouldn't have lost my temper with you like that. Please, please, please just open the door, you don't have to be scared of me. I swear I would never hurt you, please," Ty begged on the other side of the glass and my heart broke, but I stayed frozen, unable to move from my bed. I pulled the covers over my head, hoping to drown him out, wishing for sleep.