Royal Shifters Series

Book 2: Tyla

I’d called my mother and she’d notified the pack. By the time I got to my parents’ house, Bailey and Ryker were already there, along with Colin, Micah, and Cedric, Ryker’s second-in-command. The only person missing was Sebastian. I was shocked he wasn’t already there. When my mother watched me slam through the door, the look on her face terrified me. She was scared.

“Anything new?” I asked, rushing toward her.

She shook her head. “Nothing good. I’ve tried calling Sara and Benjamin but they’re not picking up.” My aunt and uncle always picked up the phone. Bile rose in the back of my throat. What if we didn’t get to them in time?

“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.