Chapter 12 - Tyler
My head is nowhere near where it needs to be, considering that I called for an emergency meeting with the pack in the hall.
What the border patrol wolves discovered on our territory tonight is concerning, and should be my priority as I'm about to address my people, but I just can't seem to get Arianna out of my head.
I'd become so furious when Arianna ran away after we embraced. But the moment I laid eyes on her when I found her in that bunker, I felt so much relief that they were safe, my inner wolf becoming desperate to hold her.
I know she felt it, too. I felt her body temperature rising when I had her in my arms, and saw the softness in her eyes when she pulled back .
I know I made the decision to never take a mate, and tonight's events prove that we're never safe.
As the alpha, there's always a price on my head for anyone who becomes an enemy, and I know what's out there—we can never be too careful.
I can't risk putting someone else in danger because of me, but I just can't seem to stop feeling drawn to Arianna.
She's irresistible, and no matter how hard I try to resist my inner wolf's urges, I just can't stop myself from wanting to be around her. From wanting her…
Even if I did risk being mated, Arianna isn't the esteemed, high-ranking wolf my parents will accept as my mate.
Groaning, feeling like I'm caught between a rock and a hard place again, I shift my focus back to the present, where the Moonshine wolves are gathered in the hall, and my beta opens the meeting.
“Alpha Tyler…” Brutus nods at me, and I step in front of the mic on the stage to address my pack.
Just three months ago, I'd been on this stage for my swearing-in ceremony, and I swore to protect the pack from outside harm and made an oath to myself not to put anyone else's life in danger.
Now, things are looking a bit different, with Arianna back, threatening to change my entire world if I give in to my inner wolf's urges.
There's also the rogue appearance on the territory that left a dead animal as if it were trying to leave a message. It's not the first time outsiders have wandered over our borders, but they've never left a dead carcass behind.
Because we're surrounded by human towns, we get the odd group of hunters using rifles to hunt down animals as a pastime, but this was different, and I can't help but suspect that some kind of danger is on the horizon.
It's an alpha trait that has me always on edge, calculating, meticulously inspecting every detail, and leaving no stone unturned.
“Moonshine Pack members,” I begin, the silence in the room deafening as everyone notices my hardened expression.
“I've called you here tonight to address a concern that was discovered near our borders. It appears that a certain type of rogue werewolf had crossed our borders this evening and left a dead animal behind. It may have been an accident, or it could be a warning.” I pause to let the information sink in with the pack.
“I've seen enough horrors during my time in black ops to know that nothing can be taken lightly, and we must proceed with caution.
That's why we'll be securing extra safety measures around our borders.
I appeal to you all to follow the hunting rotations we've set out, and report anything uncommon to the soldiers.”
With a firm nod, I step away from the mic to allow my beta to say a closing word to the pack before dismissing them from the hall. My mind races with thoughts of everything that's going on, and my inner wolf becomes more and more desperate to protect not just the pack as a whole, but Arianna.
Especially Arianna.
I thought I was content with the idea of never having a mate, even if my parents continuously breathe down my neck about taking one and siring the next generation's alpha. It's almost as if nothing I do will ever be good enough in their eyes.
Whether I choose not to have a mate or choose one who isn't of high standing like they want, I doubt they'll ever be satisfied.
I'm not Tyson.
I never will be.
Speaking of my parents, I need to inform my father about tonight's incident and warn him not to return to Portland at night.
Sighing despondently, I get my phone out and take a seat on the bench in the front row in the empty pack hall, feeling Brutus's lingering presence as he awaits further instructions.
“That will be all for tonight, Brutus,” I say, slouching and pressing my elbows onto my thighs.
“Okay, Alpha Tyler,” he replies, but still hangs nearby.
I look up to find him hesitantly opening his mouth as if he wants to say something.
“What is it, Brutus?”
He clears his throat and takes a step forward. “Is everything alright, Alpha? You look like you have a lot going on.”
“Of course, I do, Brutus. We just found traces of a mutated wolf crossing our borders. It's a lot to process.”
Brutus nods thoughtfully, his eyes lowering when he says, “What about Miss Hart?”
I sigh as the question comes, already expecting it. I'd tasked Brutus with finding Arianna when I returned from black ops and discovered she was gone. I frown when I give it some thought, wondering why she was difficult to find.
If she'd been with another man, another werewolf, surely it would have been easy to find her amongst the other packs.
I realize that I still haven't made much progress in finding out how she's been all these years since she left. Who did she have Noah with? Was he good to her?
“It…it doesn't matter,” I lie to the beta, and he probably notices, but doesn't say anything as he nods in acceptance.
“Our visitors from your black ops squad will be here tomorrow, Alpha. I think it'll do you good to see them. Especially Alpha Dominic.”
With that last statement, Brutus leaves the pack hall, letting his words sink in with thoughtfulness.
Back when Dominic was participating in the alpha trials to determine the next alpha in the Lunaris Pack, I'd visited him during his break with Brutus. I saw the way he'd been watching his trial partner, and even offered some advice when I sensed they were true mates.
She's Dominic's mate now, and the luna of her pack, despite being an omega werewolf. It was easier for Dominic to make that decision when winning the trials allowed him to take his rightful place as the alpha—a title that was inherently his because of his family's history in the pack.
Things work differently for Lunaris than they do for Moonshine, and I have two parents who will be against me if I pick a mate who isn’t of high rank.
I send a text to my father to inform him about tonight, then shove my phone back in my pocket and lace my fingers together, wondering if it's safe to go home.
I don't want to make Arianna feel uncomfortable, but I know what I saw in her eyes after I hugged her—that electric feeling when two souls destined to be together in every way possible make physical contact.
There's no denying the recognition of the true mate bond.
Arianna was the one who brought it up the first time after I'd taken her virginity behind the pack den.
The sex was hot and passionate, but I'd felt our true mate bond, too.
She'd been hesitant to bring it up while she pulled up her panties, and I'd been quick to shut it down, a night away from leaving for black ops when I couldn't afford to lay claim to a mate.
“You fucking idiot,” I mutter to myself, grunting as I get to my feet. How can I deny the existence of a mate bond ordained by the Moon Goddess Herself? My faith should be stronger than anyone else's, since I'm the leader of this pack, and I should be setting an example.
Do I doubt my capabilities to keep the pack safe? Do I doubt myself as the alpha?
Perhaps I've been stuck in a rut, trying to fill my brother's shoes when he didn't even make it as far as reaching the age to take over the pack. It sounds heartless, but it's true. I'm not like him.
I never was, even if we were close. I always tried to be like him, think like him, but I've only been suffering because of it.
Lord knows I've suffered enough denying the true mate bond between Arianna and me. Logic always seems to win over, but I shut down my mind and, for once, follow my heart, leading me outside, into the forest.
I'm done trying to play things safe, especially after tonight. Dangers will always exist out there, but that's no reason to stop living life. I can't punish myself as if I were responsible for Tyson's death, and that's what I've been doing since that night with Arianna.
Discovering that she was my true mate despite all the odds of that ever being possible scared me.
I was afraid.
I can't live in fear anymore.
I was given a second chance when she returned to Portland, and I can't let it slip through my fingers. I've already discovered that I simply can't stay away from her, and I'll be damned if I let my logical mind talk me out of doing what my inner wolf has been begging me to do.
Arianna Hart is the only she-wolf who drives me wild, my inner wolf clawing at my insides to be released from the confines I'd closed it in, forcing it back every time I'm near her.
Right now, I've let go of control and find myself wandering further through the woods until I spot a wolf rushing ahead of me.
It gracefully navigates the forest, traveling further and further toward the edge.
I recognize the wolf by the mere scent of jasmine flowers, the sweet intricacies of that scent filling my lungs even if it's faint.
Chuckling bemusedly as I realize the agile, small wolf is none other than Arianna, my heart skips a beat as it draws me closer.