The Summer Moon
Chapter 55 -

Tyrese

I squeezed Malia's hip, pulling her into my side. Her jaw dropped open but she quickly composed herself and I couldn't help but smile. Her nerves were racing right now, but as she leaned farther into me, I could feel her relaxing. "What are you doing!" My father's voice echoed in my head as he mind linked me, but I ignored him. I was sure about this, I was sure about her. Even if Malia leaves me, she will always be my mate - I'll never take another. I wouldn't have anyone else. She will always be my luna.

The crowd around us cheered and awed at us. I pressed my lips to her cheek and watched as the pink of her skin deepened.

"Congratulations!"

"What a beautiful luna"

"Who is she? Can't wait to get to know her."

The voices of my pack echoed in my head as they mind linked me and I smiled. This night couldn't be any better. Not only was I being accepted as alpha, but they were accepting Malia as well. Then finally I heard a single voice narrow from the rest.

"Congratulations Tyrese, I'm so proud of you. Alpha or not, I couldn't imagine a better mate for my daughter," John called out to me and I grinned widely. This night was everything.

As the speeches ended, the crowd returned to mingling. The dance floor opened up and people began to sway to the music. I led Malia over to the dance floor and pulled her into my arms. She melted into my chest, swaying in tune with the music. One by one pack members came over to introduce themselves, and with each one Malia greeted them just as enthusiastically as they were to meet her.

As midnight approached I knew it was almost time for the run. My first official run around the pack boundary, as leader of the pack. It had been a tradition in our pack for nearly a century, when a new alpha is announced him and his betas would lead the pack in a run around the territory. My wolf was anxiously awaiting to come out. I had already selected Jesse and Liam as my betas, they were both excellent warriors and having a personal relationship with them made them much easier to communicate with. Trust between us was the most important thing.

Malia and I moved our way through the crowd, approaching my parents first. My dad's face was stern, he clearly disagreed with me introducing Malia as my luna, but didn't care. It was my choice, not his. My mom, on the other hand, was brightly smiling, already pulled Malia into a hug before we had even come to a stop in front of them.

"Malia it is so good to see you again," my mother squealed and Malia smiled nervously as she hugged her back.

"Malia, I hope you've been doing well," my father said as he shook her hand. Malia nervously leaned into my side again, but I was so proud of her. She was doing so well tonight. "Son," my dad turned to me. "It's time to go get ready," he nodded towards me and was already turning to walk away, my mother following him.

I turned back to Malia, her green eyes mesmerizing me once more. "Our pack has a tradition, when a new alpha is announced they lead the pack in a run through the forest. A lot of pack members will shift, so i understand if you don't want to be there. Everyone will gather outside at midnight," I kissed her forehead gently and she smiled back at me, but didn't give me an answer. I couldn't help but start to feel a little anxious, maybe Malia had just been putting on a good show, maybe she was just waiting for an opportunity to leave.

I quickly shook the thought away as I went to change and meet my father. I couldn't doubt her now, I had to trust that everything was going to work out. I took off my suit and pulled on a t shirt and sweatpants, clothes I wouldn't care about ripping, then walked through the dining hall again as I headed towards my dad's office. As I scanned the crowd, I was left disappointed to not see Malia and noticed that her scent was fading.

"What have you done?" My dad's voice was stern as I closed the door to his office behind me. "Announcing Malia as luna, what happens when she leaves now? Not even 5 minutes into the alpha position and you've already let your pack down," my dad began to lecture. My wolf came to the surface and I couldn't stop the growl that escaped my lips. He had no right to speak to me that way, I was the alpha now and this was my decision. I'd heard his disappointment my entire life, I'm done with it now.

"Malia is the luna of the Blood Eclipse pack and she will not be disrespected. If she leaves-" i began but my father cut me off.

"If she leaves," he laughed. "She's not from here Tyrese, she's a human. She's going to leave, you're just too naive to see it. You have some sort of fantasy in your head that this is all going to just work out, but you are an alpha now. You can't afford to place all your hope in some teenage girl who's caught your eye."

"Malia is my mate!" I growled out. My hands clenched into fists at my sides and I could feel my claws extending.

"Where is she then? Seems to me she's already left, probably already following in her crazy mother's footsteps," his words hit deep in my chest and I felt an ache spread throughout. He too had noticed Malia was no longer here. I couldn't argue back, instead I could only hope that Malia would let me in later, that she would still talk to me. She wouldn't go back to New York without saying goodbye, I couldn't even allow myself to think it.

"It's time," I heard my mothers voice at the door behind us. I took a deep breath and tried to compose myself before turning to follow her. We walked towards the front of the crowd of people gathering in the back yard. I took my spot at the front, Jesse and Liam coming to my side.

Everything okay? Jesse mind linked me and I quickly nodded. My eyes were busy scanning the crowd, searching for the face I already knew wasn't here. My eyes fell on John, who's arms were wrapped around Savanah. He gave me a smile and I wanted to ask if he knew where Malia had gone, but I was too afraid to ask. I was such a coward when it came to her.

"It's time," My father linked me next.

"I just need a couple minutes," I said back to him. I shuffled on my feet, scanning over the crowd once more. I needed to pull myself together, I had a pack to lead.

Then it hit me, that wonderful enchanting lavender scent. My eyes jerked through the crowd faster until they finally landed on her. Thomas holding her hand, leading her forwards as they weaved through the crowd. She carried Kali in her arms, clearly having just gone to change as well as she now wore a pair of leggings and one of my hoodies. I smiled at her and as she smiled back, my wolf finally settled. Now I was ready.

I took a step forwards, gesturing to my pack members that it was time to shift. I couldn't take my eyes off of hers though, as I brought my wolf forwards. Her gaze never wavered on mine as I knew my eyes turned dark, my canines extending. In a swift motion my bones cracked and I kept forwards into my wolf, towering over the others. Malia's smile brightened, I was so lucky to have her. I tapped my foot on the ground, indicating to my pack that it was time to go, and took off into the woods, hundreds of wolves following after me.