The Summer Moon
Chapter 60 -

Tyrese

The 24 hours since Malia had left had been absolutely hell, with the exception of the text I received from her last night. After coming home from the airport my dad was already waiting with a lecture about postponing the alpha meeting without what he considered to be a valid reason. When I told him I had to take Malia to the airport because her grandmother is sick I was only met with more rage.

"You let her leave?" His voice boomed but for once in my life I didn't cower in front of him. He wasn't the alpha anymore, I was. He couldn't tell me what to do, and deep down I knew that letting Malia go was the only option. "Son you are weak, I knew you didn't have what it takes to be an alpha," his words stung but I shook them off. He was wrong, I would prove him wrong. I spent the rest of the afternoon in my office, rescheduling my missed meetings and trying to smooth out our relationships with some of the other packs that were still unsure about the alliance.

My heart was sinking deeper into my chest with each passing hour that Malia didn't call. I had assumed she would call me when the plane landed, or even a text would've soothed me. She's busy. I had to remind myself. Liam had mind linked me when the plane landed and told me they were going to see her grandmother now, which was all I could ask for. At least I knew she was safe.

My mother brought my dinner into my office later into the evening. I had buried myself in work for the day, trying to distract myself from Malia's absence and my mother was clearly getting worried. "What your father said earlier isn't true Tyrese," she said, setting the try of food on the edge of my desk. "I think you letting Malia go to her family makes you a strong alpha and a strong mate, and she will love you for that. She has left before, and she has come back. She'll come back again,” she kissed the top of my forehead and left me alone again. Her words hovered though, I could only hope they were true. Things were getting so good right before Malia left, surely she wouldn't just give up on us now. Just as I began to eat I heard the howling in the woods and calls out from my pack members. I groaned and cursed under my breath, it had been nearly a week since the last attack why did this have to happen today. I quickly ran downstairs and out the door, stripping off my clothes and shifting. I raced into the woods in the direction of the howling.

The attack was on the western border, way too close to Malia's house for my comfort. My pack members fiercely fought off the attacking rogues, but it was easy to notice the lack of presence from Alpha Winston's pack - after he had just promised us an alliance. Thankfully the rogue wolves retreated and only a few of our weaker warriors had to be taken to the hospital for some minor injuries to be treated. I was sure they would heal within a couple days, but now i had a much bigger problem to deal with. I had to figure out why Winston had suddenly backed out on us, and try to smooth things over before another attack comes. Hopefully before Malia comes home. I don't know how I would have reacted if she'd been home tonight, to have her that close to the danger.

I mind linked Liam to tell him what had happened then headed back home to pull out the papers Winston had written up about our alliance. Just as I began reading through it, my phone buzzed and my entire mood changed as I read the text from Malia. She was worried about me, about our pack. Liam must've told her, but I was grateful that it made her text me. I was dying to hear from here, to ask how she was doing, to tell her again how much I miss and love her. But I had to give her space, she needed to focus on her grandmother.

The next morning continued the same. I'd hardly slept, my wolf was craving Malia. Her scent was everywhere in my room and it was driving me crazy all night. When I headed downstairs my dad was already scowling in the kitchen. "Son, we need to talk," he announced as I opened the fridge and pulled out the milk.I rolled my eyes, this couldn't be good.

"You are an alpha, and an alpha needs a proper mate - one fit to be a luna," he said, standing from his spot at the table. I nearly choked on my coffee, he had to be joking. We weren't getting into this again. "I've spoken to Alpha Winston, his daughter would be an excellent choice and I've arranged for them to visit us this week. They arrive tomorrow. I would like you to mark her and announce her as official luna by the end of the week."

My jaw dropped. "Absolutely not," I growled at him. I set my coffee mug down and gripped the edge of the counter, trying to stop myself from lunging for him. My wolf was furious, he was ready to attack him for even daring to suggest me taking any other mate but Malia. My father or not, no one had the right to threaten her position.

"But what about Malia?" My mother said entering the room, her eyes soft and concerned as she looked between us.

"Malia is a human who knows nothing about this world and continually abandons her mate and pack, she is not fit to be luna," my father argued. I took a deep breath, gathering control over my wolf before daring to speak.

"She didn't abandon anyone, she's taking care of her family. And she is not a human, she is a wolf. She is the daughter of one of our best trackers, she has rank in our pack in her own right. She is my true mate, I have already announced her as luna and I will not take another," I narrowed my eyes at my father, surprising even myself at the harshness of my voice. I nodded to my mother then headed back upstairs. I wouldn't do this anymore. I had to be with her before my wolf totally ripped someone apart. He was completely on edge now, it was taking every bit of my focus to keep myself from shifting.

I threw some clothes in a bag and headed down the stairs. "Where do you think you're going?" My dad growled as I marched towards the front door.

"To bring my mate back," I growled, grabbing my keys off the shelf. I slammed the door behind me and jumped in the car. I needed to get to her, I needed to convince her to come back now. Before there was any more talk in my pack about a new luna. I knew how manipulative my father was, and I'm sure as soon as Chloe arrived he would start introducing her to pack members as the future luna.

I headed through the busy airport focused on getting to my plane. Focused on Malia, I didn't care what it took. She's going to come back. Then suddenly my phone rang. "Hello?" I answered without looking at the caller ID. "Ty," her sweet voice rang in my ears and I felt my entire body relax.

'Lia," I whispered back.

"Are you busy?" I heard her voice break as she spoke, she's crying. My heart started to break, had something happened?

"I'm never busy for you, what's wrong?" I hurried to say.

"I just- I" she started to sob, her tears coming harder. My heart ached for her, I wanted to wrap my arms around her and kiss her tears away. She took a deep breath and started again "Ever since I came back all I've done is fight with my mom- and my grandma being in the hospital- and Ty she can't die because who am I supposed to talk to - and I've been so awful to you-" she sobbed between each point and I had to interrupt her. I couldn't take this. I had to see her, I had to be there now.

"Lia, meet me at the airport in 3 hours," I said, picking up my pace towards the plane.

"What? No Ty you don't have to come. Really I'm okay. Your pack-" she began, trying to calm her sobs but I interrupted her again.

"No, the pack is fine. My betas can take care of everything. Right now you need me. I'm coming, I'm already on my way."

"Really?" She mumbled, but I could tell her sobs were slowing down.

"3 hours baby, meet me." And with that I hung up the phone and boarded my plane.