The Summer Moon
Chapter 54 -

Tyrese

"You invited her tonight?" Jesse stared at me surprised. He leaned against my kitchen counter, his arms crossed over his chest while Liam searched the fridge for something to eat.

"Of course I invited her," I said. I was actually feeling a little annoyed that they would possibly think I wouldn't. Malia was ready for this, I was certain. She had been a little hesitant at the start of last night but by the time we fell asleep and even this morning, she seemed so comfortable here with me. I wanted to show her more, I wanted to show her everything. This was our pack, and this was a big moment for us, for me. I wouldn't do it without her.

"I thought you were trying to convince Malia to stay with you?"Jesse asked next.

Liam jumped in to add, "Yeah sorry to tell you this Ty but inviting your human girlfriend to one of the biggest pack events might make her totally freak out."

"She's not going to freak out," my voice was cold, I could feel my wolf working it's way to the surface but I pushed him back. I knew they meant well, but this wasn't helping. I thought of Malia, her soft hair, the fire I had seen in her eyes last night and my heart settled.

"Are you sure?" Liam asked, pulling some leftover past from the fridge and unwrapping it on the counter. And I knew the answer, yes. I was sure. I was sure about her. And after last night I was sure about something else too. "Malia's a wolf," I confessed with absolutely certainty. Jesse and Liam both shot their eyes towards me surprised which made me smirk.

"I thought you didn't know if she was or not," Liam quickly turned back to eating his pasta and I rolled my eyes.

"I didn't when I first met her, but I'm sure now. Malia will shift when she turns 18, she's showing all the signs. Yesterday she was on edge from the full moon, she was more emotional. You should have seen how mad at me she was in the morning. And the second we were together, the second I touched her she totally calmed down. Plus you guys saw the way she was reacting to me, she was at my side all night and even when I took her for a run in the woods she settled so easily. Malia was born for this life," and I couldn't wait to show her the rest of it.

Jesse nodded his head in agreement. "She was all over you last night, I was surprised to even see you together. I thought you were supposed to be giving her space," he said.

"I was, but she changed her mind," and I was so grateful I did. My wolf had been so calm all morning thanks to her. Last night would have been total hell if she hadn't agreed to come out with me.

"Have you told her yet?" Liam asked and I shook my head. I wanted Malia to figure this out on her own. Her birthday was coming up quickly, she would know soon. She would be a part of my pack soon, and then I could mark her. My mind wandered back to Malia and I could feel myself becoming distracted from our conversation but Liam pulled me back once more, asking the one question I still wasn't ready to think about.

"Do you think she'll stay here?" My heart skipped in my chest. She had to stay, I needed her here. And if she's a wolf, why would she return to New York? Her life would be here then, her dad is here, I'm here - isn't that what she wants? But I didn't know that for sure, which is exactly why I couldn't tell Malia that was was a wolf yet. She had to decide to stay here on her own, I had to know she was staying because she wants to be my mate. Not because she felt that she had to. Jesse, Liam, and I hung out in the kitchen for a little while longer until I finally returned to my room to get ready for tonight. I was getting anxious to see Malia again, worried about how she would react to tonight. But I marvelled at the idea that maybe Malia would be just as comfortable tonight as she was last night.

I put on my nicest suit and gelled my hair up, remembering to leave the top messy - just how Malia likes it. I drove over to the pack house and greeted all the pack members that were already arriving. Tonight was the night I would officially become Alpha. Jordan and I had grown up talking about the alpha ceremony many times, however we had always imagined it would be him becoming the alpha, not me. I began to wonder if I would live up to my packs expectations and felt my anxiety rising. Then her scent hit me.

I turned to the entrance and froze, my eyes locked with Malia. She gave me a shy smile and my jaw nearly dropped open at how gorgeous she looked. Emily had totally done me in for tonight, especially seeing Malia in a dress fit for a luna. Having her at my side in an all black dress would signify to the pack that she was my chosen luna, did that mean she was ready for this? More importantly, did she know what that dress meant?

I was at her side in seconds, pulling her into my arms. I didn't care who was watching anymore, my lips pressing to hers. "You look so gorgeous," I whispered as I pulled back from her. She let out the sweetest giggle.

"I was going to say the same to you," her eyes sparkled, meeting mine.

"Come on, I'll show you around," I took her hand and my wolf was purring. I wanted to share everything with her, I wanted her to know that life with me would be everything she wanted. I wanted her to meet every single person in my pack, to show her off.

I wrapped my arm around her waist and gave her a brief tour of the house, I'd have to bring her back another time to give her a proper tour when their weren't so many people around. I stopped to introduce her to several pack members, pulling her closer to my side with each one. And every time Malia amazed me, smiling at my side, shaking everyone's hands. And I knew I hadn't been wrong about tonight, she was so ready for this.

After dinner, I felt my anxiety building again. the official induction would be soon. I wondered how the pack would react, and what kind of alpha I would be. Malia's hand came to my thigh under the table and I turned to look at her. "Nervous?" She asked me. A smile spread across my face as she confirmed what I had been wondering. She felt the mate bond, she could feel me. Even as we sat facing my entire pack, I could feel that she was calm - she was comfortable here with me.

"A little bit," I covered her hand with mine, her touch instantly soothing me. She leaned in closer to my side.

"Don't be, you're going to be an amazing alpha Ty," my heart best faster in my chest. She was everything. I felt all my nerves relax, she was going to be an amazing luna.

As my dad stood from the table and faced the crowd in front of us, I knew it was time. I stood next to him, pulled Malia to her feet as well. She looked up at me with a worried look on her face but I smiled at her and wrapped my arm around her waist. She leaned into me relaxing a little, but I could still feel her nerves building.

"Welcome everyone," my dad greeted the crowd then immediately dove into a speech about how grateful he is to everyone and how much he enjoyed his time as alpha. Then finally he said the words I had been waiting to hear, "I would like to officially renounce my position as alpha and pass it to my son Tyrese. I present to all of you, Tyrese Blackwood, alpha of the Blood Eclipse pack," my fathers hand rested gently across my back and the crowd around us cheered. I felt pride rush through me. This was it.

I stepped forward to speak next, bringing Malia with me. "Good evening everyone," I began, feeling confidence rush through me as Malia's hand ran up my back. "I am so grateful to all of you for accepting me as your new alpha. I only hope I can continue in my father's footsteps, building our pack, providing a safe place for everyone. I want each and every pack member to know that you are welcome here, your home is here, I am here for all of you. We are here," I turned down to look at Malia, her eyes were marvelling at the crowd in front of us but she turned to meet me once more, giving me a reassuring smile. She's ready.

"I would also like to officially introduce my mate, Luna of the Blood Eclipse Pack, Malia Taylor,"