The Summer Moon
Chapter 74 -

Tyrese

I panicked, my mind racing as I looked in the direction of the howling, desperate to know what was going on, how bad this was. I should have known better than to take Malia out in the forest with me this late at night without additional warriors. Especially with all the attacks that have been happening. Sure there were the warriors on the borders but as I turned my head once again to the howling I could see any least 10 rogues dashing across the northern borders. I couldn't believe I had been so stupid, and now I've put Malia in danger. I have to get her out of here, fast.

"Malia hold on," I warned her as I took off into the woods again, paying no concern to the attacks going on behind us. Getting her home was my number one concern right now, it wasn't safe out here for her.

"Ty what's happening?" She said back and I could sense the panic in her voice. She squirmed around on my back as if she were trying to look around but I felt her hands tighten in my fur anyways. I pushed myself faster through the trees, passing my warriors coming into the woods for battle. I never should have taken her out so close to the border, but we were almost free, only a little bit farther and we'd be out of the trees. The rogues would never dare go that close to town, there were way too many wolves here and even they weren't that stupid.

All of a sudden I heard a growl echo close by and I caught a new scent. How could a rogue have made it this far from the border already? He must've gotten past earlier without anyone noticing. He had to have been waiting for someone to attack. I turned away from him to run in the other direction as quick as I could but I was already too late. He was leaping into my side his claws just scratching the surface, but it was enough to knock me unsteady. My side hit hard against a tree and I whimpered not because of the pain, but because on the impact I felt Malia's hands let loose from my fur.

Before I even had the chance to move the rogue was pouncing on me again. I quickly shifted out of the way and snarled my teeth coming face to face with him. He was much smaller than me, I was surprised he even had the nerve to attack in the first place. He showed his teeth then jumped forwards once more, giving me the perfect shot. I sunk my teeth into his shoulders and tossed him to the side.

The rogue yelped as he hit the ground but I paid him no concern, our fight was over. The only thing I could think about was Malia, where had she fallen? I scrambled back to the tree we had hit only to see her on the ground behind it. She had propped herself up against the back of it and when her eyes met mine all I could see was fear. Her hair tangled with leaves, dirt smudged across the side of her face from where she had fallen, and her hand holding her wrist against her body. Blood. I could smell the blood.

Tears streamed down her cheeks as her big green eyes looked up into mine, and it took me back to the first night Malia saw me change. The same terror was written across her face now and this was all my fault. I shifted back to my human form quickly, it was risky but I couldn't scare her anymore than she already was. Kneeling in front of her I moved in slowly, brushing my hand against her cheek. I wanted to kiss all of her tears away, but I knew we didn't have time for this. I could already hear the howls of the rogues getting closer. They were coming this way and we were running out of time.

"Malia you have to run, it's not that much farther to the edge of the forest. You need to get home," I begged of her. I doubted I could convince her to climb back on my wolf after what had just happened, and by the way she held her arm I knew she wouldn't be able to hold onto me very well. This was our only option, at least if she ran I could protect her. I could stop the rogues from reaching her, she could get home safe. To my surprise, Malia stood to her feet and nodded her head. She searched the trees around us and I raised my hand towards town.

"Run straight that way," I pointed into the darkness and she nodded her hand again. Goddess I was dying to hear her voice, to know that this hadn't just scared her off again, to know she didn't hate me but a nod of the head seemed to be all I would get for now.

"What about you?" She looked up at me again.

"I'll be fine I promise, go now," I used my alpha voice commanding her and instantly felt bad, but she needed to do this for me. Then she turned and I watched as she disappeared through the trees. I transformed back just in time to collide with another rogue.

Thankfully I saw Malia break through the edge of the forest and begin her run towards town. She was in the open field now, she would be safe, she would make it home okay. "John, Malia's on her way to your house," I linked him quickly then turned my attention back to the fight. I moved back towards the borders, angry now that these rogues had put my mate in danger. I put all my emotion into that and easily won against every rogue I collided with until finally I watched the few that remained retreat back across the border.

I shifted back and pulled on one of the many pairs of shorts hidden in the trees out here. Turning to nod at each of my pack members that had fought bravely beside me.

"Holy fuck man I think these attacks are getting worse," Liam said, now coming up to my side in his own pair of shorts. A large red scrape went across his shoulder and I looked him over carefully. He was right though, there had been more rogues today then in the past. It was already unusual to have rogues attacking in multiples since they rarely travelled in pack. But now it was starting to seem like they were a pack the way they kept coming in waves. "You okay?" I asked him

"Yeah it's just a scratch, no big deal," he said and I nodded in agreement with him. The edges of it were already starting to heal and I was sure it would be gone within the hour. "You alright?" He said turning to me now and I shook my head. "I was so stupid, Malia was out here. I never should have brought her this close to the border, I put her in danger tonight," I hung my head ashamed, leaning my back against a tree.

"You couldn't have known Ty, and she's fine now that's all that matters," Liam said, setting his hand on my back. I couldn't have known there was going to be an attack tonight, but I should have known better. I couldn't shake this doubt in my mind. She might be okay but she had still hurt her wrist, and it could have been so much worse.

"Being my mate puts her in danger," I whispered the words I had been trying to hold back, admitting my biggest fear. What if the biggest danger to Malia wasn't the rogues or these attacks, but the giant target that was being put on her back because I was an alpha and she was my mate.

"That's why you have to protect her now, and you have a whole pack behind you willing to help," Liam squeezed my shoulder and I had to smile. He was right, and with that he gave me reassurance that Lia was a part of our pack now. She was their luna, and the warriors would fight to protect her just like they would protect each other. Now I just needed to get to her, and hope to the goddess I hadn't just totally ruined everything again. I gave Liam one last nod then ran towards the edge of the forest myself.

When I reached Malia's house, John and Savanah were sitting out on the porch together. John wiping some blood from a wound that must have already healed on his arm.

"Where is she?" I blurted out, skidding to a stop at the bottom of the steps in front of them. The two of them exchanged a glance as if they were confused about what I was asking. "Where is Malia?" I repeated myself, I told her to go home, she had to be here. She had to. John looked back to me first, the same concern held in his eyes and I felt my blood run cold.