Resisting the Moon (Royal Shifters #2)(10)

“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

“Want 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.