The Summer Moon
Chapter 43 -

Tyrese

The last 2 days had been completely exhausting. After the most recent attack on the northern border, I had to attend a meeting with the Ruby pack, who were suddenly very nervous about our alliance. It was clear the attacks were directed at my pack, but having rogues in the area was dangerous for all packs. Why couldn't they just see that? After hours and hours of negotiating, the pack finally agreed to uphold the terms of our alliance and we even gained some support from a smaller north-western pack.

I felt like crap the whole flight back home. All I could think about was Malia. I had gone too far yelling at her that night. My wolf came forwards and I was losing control. But couldn't she see I just wanted her to be safe? I would never hurt her. Why doesn't she understand that? And I'd been so busy the past couple days I hadn't even been able to make this up to her.

I tried calling her yesterday but she didn't answer, and of course she wasn't answering any of my texts either. I didn't want to push too much, I was afraid I would go too far if I hadn't already, and then she would leave. But why can't she just talk to me? I could make her understand, I had to.

Things had been so good at the carnival, after I got rid of that stupid guy. I could tell she was really not into her date with him, which I was so grateful for, because I think if she actually was into him I wouldn't have been able to hold my wolf back. He didn't deserve her. Hell, I don't even deserve her. Malia was beyond perfect, and that night at the carnival was amazing. We fit together so naturally. I just don't understand why she keeps fighting it.

I pulled into the driveway and put the car in park. Truly, I just wanted to get to Malia's house and check on her, beg for her forgiveness, do everything I could to convince her to stay. I couldn't lose her again. I think it would kill me. But first I had to check in with my parents and change. Even walking across the driveway, I thought I could pick up Malia's scent, but at this point I was fairly certain I was just hallucinating it. I was so desperate to see her.

As I walked through the front door, my mother met me in the entry way. "Welcome home Tyrese," she gave me a big hug, but the huge smile on her face made me suspicious.

"Mom?" I raised my eyebrow at her as I pulled back. "Is everything okay?"

"Of course, just happy you're home. How is Malia?" She asked, the smile continuing.

"Uh fine I guess. Why, did something happen?" My heart began to race. Have there been more attacks while I was gone? Surely someone would have told me. Had Malia gotten hurt? My wolf was howling, he needed to see her now. "Of course not. I was just wondering. You look tired honey. I think you should try and get some sleep," I took a deep breath and willed myself to relax. I have been way too on edge lately.

"I'm trying to give her space, I guess. I keep pouring my heart out to her and she keeps pushing me away. I don't know what to do anymore. How do I get her to stay with me?" I took a seat on the bench and slipped my shoes off. I looked up at my mom, hoping for some words of wisdom, but she stayed quiet and pushed my hair out of my face like I was a little kid again.

She sighed, "Ty, this isn't like you, stay positive. This is a hard situation and I promise you're doing better than you think." She leaned in and kissed my forehead gently. I hoped she was right. "Now, really I think you should go get some sleep, you'll feel better once you're in your room," she pushed me towards the stairs and I looked back at her confused, but quickly brushed it off. She could be right, maybe some sleep would help me clear my head and I could try and sort things out with Malia tomorrow.

I picked up my bag and slung it over my shoulder, then headed up the stairs. As I approached my bedroom door, that familiar intoxicating scent hit me in a wave, much stronger now. I reached quickly for the door and pushed it open, stepping inside to see my beautiful mate lying on the couch. Her head fell against the cushion, her eyes closed, her lips slightly parted. The blanket from my bed was wrapped around her as she curled into the side of the couch.

I closed the door quietly behind me and set my bag on the floor. I pulled my jacket off then walked over to kneel on the floor beside her. Even sleeping she managed to look so gorgeous, my wolf was howling with appreciation for her. I reached my hand up to gently brush her cheek and her eyes flashed open.

"Ty!" She gasped, quickly sitting up, "You're home." The sweetest smile spread across her lips, her eyes lighting up as they met mine. I smiled back at her and cupped her cheek with my hand, watching as they turned pink.

"I'm home baby," I whispered. I loved hearing her call this place home, even if that's not what she meant. "What are you doing here?" I asked her next. The last I had seen her she was terrified of me. Why would she have come to my house? Honestly though, it didn't matter. I was just over the moon that she was actually here, in my arms.

Her face turned a paler shade of white and her eyes widened as she looked into mine. "There was this sound outside my house and I was so scared, Ty. Turns out, it was just a tree falling but I was completely terrified because what if it had been something worse? My dad and Savanah are gone for the week and I was home alone, and I couldn't calm myself down so I tried calling you," she began rambling, and I cursed myself. I had turned off my phone on the plane and hadn't even bothered to check it on my way here. The storm out there was getting pretty bad tonight. I should have suspected Malia might get scared.

"I had my phone off and I had an emergency business trip, I'm so sorry," I moved to sit on the couch next to her and she scooted over to make some room, but the last thing I wanted was any space between the two of us. It had been far too long since I held her against my chest.

"It's okay, I just came to your house instead and your mom told me I could wait up here. I hope that's okay. I can go to Emily's or something if you want time alone," she looked down to her hands, wringing her fingers, and I felt sick at the thought. I didn't want Malia anywhere but at my side.

"No, of course not, you're always welcome here. Honestly, it makes me really happy to know that you thought this would be a safe place to come," I said, and I truly meant it. Having Malia think my house, being with me, was safe for her was all I really wanted. It meant I hadn't truly ruined everything.

I reached for her waist but as my hands brushed against her sweater I immediately felt the damp material. "Malia, you're soaking wet. What the hell happened?" I questioned her, freezing as I pulled the blanket off and looked her over. Her wet clothes still clung to her skin, and with the lost blanket, the cold air touched her skin and made her begin to shiver.

"I-I had to run here in the rain," she explained, and I looked at her shocked. Was she crazy? She could've gotten sick. She was probably freezing. Why would she run here? I could have picked her up, I would have, in a heart beat. Then again, that would have required me to turn my phone on and see her missed call. I groaned, cursing myself again, but quickly I pushed the thought away. All that mattered right now was getting her some dry clothes, and warming her up. I stood up and headed towards my closet. "Where are you going?" She called after me but I waved my hand back at her. "Stay there," I commanded. I fetched a pair of plaid pyjama pants she could tie around her waist and a black t-shirt, then returned to her side.

"Put these on, you need to get out of those wet clothes or you're going to freeze," I looked deep into her eyes and she looked down at the clothes nervously. She took them from me gingerly, flashing me another smile, and then walked towards the bathroom to change.

I slipped my own clothes off and pulled on a pair of sweatpants, leaving my chest bare. I pulled some extra blankets from the closet and laid them out for her on my bed. As Malia walked out of the bathroom I sighed to myself, she always looked so good in my clothes.

I walked over to her and wrapped my arms around her waist, pulling her into my chest. She eagerly responded to my warmth and pulled me in, resting her head against me. My wolf had never been so calm, this was exactly where I always wanted to be. I brushed my lips across the top of her hair. The idea of her being terrified earlier was driving me crazy. I wished I could have been there to comfort her. She should never have to feel scared, I would always protect her. "Lia, you don't have to ever feel scared when I'm around, I swear I'll never let anything happen to you," I whispered in her ear and was surprised when I felt her head nod against my chest. She knew that.

I picked her up and my heart skipped a beat when I heard her giggle into me. I set her down gently on the bed and pulled the blankets over her. "Get some rest, I'll keep you safe from the falling trees," I winked at her and she rolled her eyes at me. I turned to take my spot on the couch when I heard her voice calling after me.

"Where are you going?" I turned back at her as I unfolded my own blanket on the couch.

"Getting my bed ready for the night, you know you're lucky you're cute otherwise I'd be making you sleep here," She rolled her eyes again and laughed at me. I set the blanket down for myself and was about to sit down when she called out again.

"Wait, you're serious!" She yelled and I ruffled my eyebrows in confusion. "Tyrese Blackwood, get your butt over here!" She demanded and I looked at her with wide eyes. Was she being serious right now? But as I looked her over, not a single thing about her expression was telling me that she was joking. Her eyes met mine confused, her hand gesturing to the empty bed beside her. "Um, I mean, do you think you could sleep here? Please?" She asked, her voice much softer now. My heart leapt in my chest. Hell yes I wanted to hold her all night. I practically ran to her side, climbing into the bed beside her. As I laid down, Malia automatically curled herself into my chest and her heart seemed to settle in beat with mine. This was home, things were finally returning exactly to the way they used to be before all this drama had begun, to the way they were always supposed to be. I turned out the lights then heard her gentle voice whisper, "Ty?" "Yeah?" I breathed. I ran my nails gently over her back and she shivered against me.

"The photo from our first date is really cute," she said and I chuckled against her. She must've been looking around a little in here, not that I minded though. I told her no more secrets, and I meant it. "Don't worry, I printed you a copy too. I just haven't had a chance to give it to you," I ran my fingers through her long hair. Suddenly, I remembered the photo album my mother gave me and I jumped up. "What's wrong?" Malia asked as I flicked on the light and jumped out of bed. I ran over to grab the album off of the dresser.

"I have to show you something," I said, retrieving it, then climbing back into bed beside her. I wrapped my arm around her waist and pulled her into my side, propping the two of us up against the pillows. Turning the photo album pages, I stopped on the same picture my mother had first shown me of the two of us, and Malia's eyes widened as she saw it. "It's us, from when you lived here before. You were only four here, so I'm not sure if you'll remember any of this, but we were really close." I explained.

Malia's eyes lit up as she turned to look at me and said the words I had been dying to hear. "I remember this."