Resisting the Moon: A Royal Shifters Novel (6 page)

“What are we going to do?” I asked, glancing around the room. Their grim expressions did little to help ease the situation.

Sebastian came storming through the door, his heated gaze fixed on mine. “I can have a couple of my men leave tonight to investigate,” he offered.

My parents glanced at each other and my father nodded. “I’ll go with them.”

“No,” I shrieked. Everyone jerked their attention to me and the room fell silent. Sighing, I placed a hand on my dad’s shoulder. He was still a strong wolf, but he wasn’t the same warrior he used to be; while I had fought battles for years, and had nothing to lose. I was ready.

With my head held high, I turned my attention to Ryker. “I’ll go. It’s my responsibility.”

“Absolutely not,” my mother growled. She tried to step in front of me, but I blocked her path.

“Ryker, you know I can do this. You can’t send my father out there. I’m stronger and faster than he is.”

Before my parents could argue, Sebastian stepped forward. “I’ll go with her. I can use my magic to shield us. No one will know we’re there. If you send a bunch of wolves, it’ll only draw unwanted attention.”

Heart racing, I sucked in a breath. Being alone with Sebastian and traveling across the United States would be a disaster. We’d spend the entire time fighting each other. I’d end up killing him. How in the hell was that going to help my family?

He kept his eyes on mine as we waited for the final verdict. Not that Ryker could control what Sebastian did, but it was more of a show of respect for Bailey.

Time seemed to stand still as Ryker glanced around the room and then bowed his head in a final nod. “It’s done,” he said. Sebastian stepped up to him and they shook hands. “I have no doubt you’ll know what to do. Keep her safe.”

Sebastian glanced over at me. “With my life.”

Just hearing the words made me shiver. Tearing my gaze away, I faced my parents. My father beamed with pride, but my mother was terrified.

“Why are you doing this?” she asked.

“Why wouldn’t I? When my family is attacked, it’s my job to help them. You know I can do this. I’m a stronger fighter than most of the men in our pack.” Cedric snorted from across the room and I flipped him off. The others laughed, as Ryker shooed them from the house, except for Bailey and Sebastian.

“I know you’re a good fighter, sweetheart,” my mother said, “but you’re putting yourself in danger. You don’t know what you’ll be up against.”

I ruffled her curls and smiled. “The only thing you have to worry about is me killing Sebastian. Other than that, I’ll be fine.”

A sad smile spread across her lips. “We both know that’s not going to happen,” she whispered softly, placing a gentle kiss on my cheek. I stiffened and could feel his penetrating gaze on my back. “Now, behave. He needs you more than you know.” She’d said it like there was something I didn’t know. What was she keeping from me?

She pulled away and my father wrapped his arms around me while my mother disappeared into the kitchen. “Be careful, Tyla.” He kissed the top of my head and let go.

My mother came back and handed me a piece of paper. “I don’t know if Amelie told you where they lived, but here are the addresses to her place and her parents’.”

I nodded and hugged her tight. “I’ll find them.”

She sniffled and squeezed. “I know you will.”

“Tyla, we should probably go,” Sebastian suggested, his voice achingly close.

Nodding, I took a deep breath and followed him outside. Ryker and the others were there, waiting on us.

“Seb,” Micah shouted, waving Sebastian over to where he was standing with Ryker.

“I’ll only be a minute,” he murmured. As soon as he walked off, Bailey joined me.

We watched on as Sebastian walked over to Micah and Ryker, their voices so low I couldn’t hear them. I leaned over toward Bailey. “What do you think they’re saying?”

She put her arm around me and walked me to my car. “Ryker’s telling him he needs to calm down. He’s too volatile.”

“I can tell. Why is he like that? It’s not normal for Sebastian.”

She lowered her gaze and sighed. “You know what happens when a male goes too long without his mate, right?”

Mouth gaping, I felt like I’d been sucker punched in the gut. “You’re serious? How long has he been fighting it?” I knew what men did to curve the cravings for their mate. There was no telling how many women he’d slept with to ease his rage. That was probably why I had no clue he was struggling.

“A few months now. It gets worse when he sees you with another male.” My gaze drifted back to Sebastian and I could see it in his stance; he was tense. Bailey snapped her fingers in front of my face. “This is serious, Tyla. He could snap and go completely off the deep end. You can’t keep provoking him.
You
are his mate. Whatever issues you have between the two of you, you need to work them out, and soon.”

Sebastian shook Ryker’s hand and started toward me. “I wish I could,” I murmured, swallowing down the regret. “But there’s nothing I can do. I’m cursed.”

She started to speak, but Sebastian jumped in. “How long will it take you to pack?” he asked.

I shrugged. “Fifteen minutes.”

He nodded. “All right. I’ll reserve our plane tickets and meet you at your house.”

Bailey hugged him and gave him a look I couldn’t decipher, before he turned around and got in his car. Why did it feel like everyone was keeping secrets from me?

I knew he was close by the thrumming in my veins. It was one of the first mating signs I’d experienced. Since my parents were true mates, I knew what to expect. For the longest time, I had tried to convince myself I’d felt them when I was with Finn, but it had just been wishful thinking. Now, I know why I never felt them. My wolf had been waiting for Sebastian.

He knocked on the door and I wanted to kick myself in the ass for being filled with excitement. He’d be able to hear my heart pounding through the door. When I opened it, he stepped inside. “You ready? Our flight to Nashville leaves in an hour.”

“Nashville? Why are we going there?”

“It was either that, or stop in Denver for a five hour layover. Nashville made more sense. From there we can drive to Cherokee, North Carolina. I knew you’d want to get there as fast as we could.” For once, he wasn’t being a smart ass, but genuine.

“Thanks,” I replied.

My bags were on the floor and I was about to pick them up when he grabbed my wrist. “I got them.” He let me go and picked up my bags.

I loved the way his muscles flexed and tightened when he threw them over his shoulder. Blowing out a sigh, I reluctantly averted my gaze. I seriously needed to get a better handle on the situation. “Let me grab my keys and I’ll be ready,” I called out to him.

As he was putting the bags in the car, I stayed inside to catch my breath. Being around him was going to be a lot harder than I thought.

Tyla

“W
ant to go for a run?” Bailey asks as I open the door. I glance behind her at the rest of the females from our pack, undressing on my lawn.

“What’s going on? I thought you’d be with Ryker.”

A wide grin spreads across her face. “And I will be, if he manages to catch me. We’re doing something new tonight. I thought it’d be fun. Now come on!” She grabs my hand and pulls me outside. The others have already shifted and their excitement is palpable.

I take off my shirt and toss it on the ground. “Are we playing hide and seek or something?” I joke.

Bailey smirks. “Something like that. Since our magic is running high with the full moon, I thought a game would be fun. The guys are all at my house getting ready. When Ryker howls, it will start. They’ll be coming after us.”

I scoff. “So we’re just supposed to let them chase us? Where’s the fun in that?” I’ve never been the type of girl to run away. I like to fight.

She leans closer, whispering in my ear. “We’re alpha females, Tyla. The other girls love the chase too, but I’m going to make Ryker work for it.”

“Then I pity who comes after me. I’m not going to make it easy on them.”

“That’s the spirit.” She laughs. “Maybe Sebastian will chase after you. You two seem to be finding your way to each other a lot. Every time I turn around, there you are. What’s up with that?”

“He’s fun to talk to.” I shrug. “I can’t help it we run into each other all the time.”

She shakes her head, clearly not believing me at all. There’s no denying I’m attracted to Sebastian, but he’s a player. Women constantly follow him around. His brother, Micah, would be more my style. He’s down to earth and easy-going, something Sebastian isn’t.

Ryker’s howl echoes in the air, followed by the other males. Bailey beams and turns to the girls. “It’s time. Let’s have some fun.” The others take off into the woods as Bailey and I finish undressing. “Good luck, Tyla.”

“Same to you.”

We shift and sprint in opposite directions. The energy is high all around us and it’s euphoric. The idea of a chase is brilliant. Most of the guys in my pack won’t pick me to chase though. They know they’ll lose. If all else fails, I’m prepared to enjoy the full moon on my own. Slowing my pace, I stop by the lake and dip a paw into the water. In another month or so it’ll be frozen over.

There isn’t a wolf around for miles, proving my point—no one is going to come after me. Shifting back into my human form, I walk the rest of the way into the water and swim out toward the middle. There are many times I’ll sneak away in the dead of night to take a swim. It’s the only time I can find peace. Floating on my back, I peer up at the glowing moon; it’s enchantingly beautiful. At least, until a set of arms come up from the water and I scream. My screams are cut off as I’m pulled down into the dark depths, sucking in a mouthful of water.

I can hear a muffled laugh, and I know exactly who it is. As soon as he lets me go, I shoot up out of the water and growl. “I am so going to kill you. You scared the shit out of me.” I splash him in the face and he laughs even harder.

“That was priceless. I thought for sure you heard me jump in the water.” Sebastian circles around me.

“Clearly, I didn’t. Just know that payback’s a bitch.”

He splashes water at me this time. “You should’ve been paying attention. What if it wasn’t me coming after you?”

I roll my eyes and splash him again. “Most do not have the ability to shield their presence. Why did you hide anyway? Scared I might attack?”