Chapter 4 POV Tyler Blackwood

Continued...

The next events are surprisingly scary at first, but even though I won't admit it, they were funny. Brooklyn is on the ground, holding her bloody nose. I looked at Becks, seeing her standing over her, and wow, that was one hell

Way to go, Becks!

"Listen up, you fake, disgusting blonde. I know you already know that Nick chose Lyla as his mate instead of you a long time ago, and I can guarantee he still wouldn't choose a manipulative bitch like you in this lifetime."

Brooklyn turned three shades of red and stormed off, stomping her feet, while I still couldn't believe that once again Becks and Tyler had to save me from her. Brooklyn is an old rival in everything, but when it comes to Nick, things always heat up.

Ever since Nick left, she stopped pretending to be nice to me. Clearly, she was always trying to stay in Nick's line of sight, even when he was with me. That never stopped her from showing off or pretending to be friendly just to impress him time and time again. But Nick never gave her a real chance to get close, and me? Well, I always knew she was faking it.

Becks flipped her red curls to the side and shook her hand from the pain of punching Brooklyn in the nose, snapping me back to reality. I wonder how long this will keep happening to me, and what Nick will do when he gets here. I can't deny or avoid admitting that I'm hopeful he'll come looking for me.

I thanked them once again for always helping me out and headed to class. I was already tired of this day, I needed a break, and despite everything, I still carried with me the lingering feeling that things weren't going to get better anytime soon.

Before I reached the biology door, Tyler grabbed my arm and turned me to face him.

"Listen, Lyla, I know you've got a lot going on right now, but tomorrow's Friday. Do you want to go out with us? Becks, me, and some of the guys are heading to this country club," he asked, looking a bit shy but still waiting for my answer.

"There'll be line dancing and music, and afterward, we always have a big bonfire in the woods, so what do you say? I know you usually say no when we ask, but with only a few days of school left, I thought you might reconsider and have some fun."

I could tell Ty was totally nervous; his heart rate was speeding up-I could hear it. But I couldn't figure out why. We hang out all the time. I think we've gone out almost every day since my mom and I moved here.

"Honestly, Ty, that sounds great. Pick me up at seven?"

He smiled the biggest smile I'd ever seen on him.

"I'll be there, Lyl."

When Lyla arrived that morning, as soon as she walked into the school, I could tell she wasn't feeling well. I feel helpless seeing her like that.

I ran into her mom, Lily, when I was leaving the pack house to head to school. She told me she thought Lyla didn't know that Nick was coming home soon.

I sighed. I really thought she knew. Deep down, she still hopes that when Nick gets back, everything will go back to the way it was. He always told her he'd only be gone for two years, and I don't really know what kind of stupid agreement they made, but it seemed like some sort of loyalty pact or something.

My guess is she's not ready to face the truth. Nick's not coming back the same way he left. Out there, they're shaping him to be strong, tough as a rock, and being the boy he used to be is definitely not part of the training.

I was hoping he'd already moved on from her, and maybe he has. Well, if that's the case, I know it'll hurt Lyl, but for me, it's a stroke of luck. He wouldn't be with her, and I'd be here for her, and maybe, just maybe, Lyl would finally look at me differently, and I could take my shot.

I still remember when she told me they broke up and the promise he made her keep.

It made me sick, and then, to make it worse, he just ignored her like that.

Skyler, my wolf, and I went out for a late run. The weather was changing, and the leaves had started to turn colors and fall to the ground.

It was my favorite time to run in the mountains. The landscape was breathtaking, with all the different colors of the leaves and the crisp, fresh air. It was perfect.

My wolf tensed up-we both sensed that someone else was nearby.

It was late, and I was further into the woods than I should've been alone.

If my mom found out, she'd probably give me a beating. She was always so fiery and overprotective.

When I caught the scent of cinnamon and vanilla, I immediately knew who it was.

Worry washed over me. Why would Lyl be this far out alone?

What was she thinking? As far as I knew, she didn't even have her wolf yet.

I shifted quickly. I realized I didn't have any clothes with me and was too far from the pack house.

We always left random clothes at the edge of the forest leading back home.

I stepped on a branch, and I saw her jump. Her eyes were swollen and red.

"Lyla, it's just me, Tyler."

"Don't be scared, but I don't have any clothes. I wasn't expecting to run into anyone here, at least not in human form."

"It's fine, Tyler, you're not the first person I've seen naked."

My heart sank. Who else could she have seen naked? Nick?

"We're wolves, after all. I've seen people naked that I'd rather not have seen."

I laughed, finally understanding what she meant.

"So, are you going to tell me what you're doing out here in the middle of the forest alone?"

"Do I have to?"

"No, but I'm pretty sure your mom is probably worried about you."

"I just needed some fresh air and started walking. Before I knew it, I ended up here."

"I realized I'd gone too far and didn't know where I was, so I sat down to catch my breath and gather my thoughts. A few minutes later, you found me."

"Lyl, do you have any idea how dangerous this is?"

Before I could finish lecturing her about coming to the forest alone, I smelled something rotten.

Lyla felt it too. Her body tensed, and she got up from the ground.

Three rogue wolves with red eyes emerged from the trees. How had I not smelled them before they got so close?

"Well, isn't this our lucky day?" the biggest of the three wolves said.

His wolf was light gray but almost looked brown from all the dirt it was covered in.

"Too bad for you lovebirds."

My wolf growled, ready to shift and rip the heads off these filthy rogues.

Lyla pulled me close and grabbed my arm.

It was fine, though-I forgot I was completely naked.

She whispered in my ear.

"I have a wolf. But if I shift, he has to stay between us. None of these rogues can leave here alive if they see me."

I looked at her, confused, but I understood. I wanted her to trust me.

The bigger wolf stepped closer and eyed Lyla.

"Have we met before? Those eyes, I've seen those eyes before."

Lyla, full of arrogance, paused for a second, then spoke.

"No, I've never met a filthy stray before."

The rogue growled.

She just had to insult him.

He spoke again.

"Wait, I know where I've seen those eyes."

He laughed.

"Your father would roll in his grave if he knew I found you after all this time.

Lyla tensed up, but then she got really angry. And me? Well, I still didn't understand anything, but I knew I had to protect us.

She started to shift. I was shocked by what I saw in front of me-a pure white wolf with a purple star on her forehead.

Before I could shift, she had already decapitated one of the smaller rogues and was heading straight for the larger gray one.

I quickly shifted when I saw the smaller brown rogue going for her back, and I yanked him off, killing him with a bite.

The larger rogue had Lyla pinned, and I pulled him off her, throwing him into a large tree, killing him instantly.

She shifted back behind a tree. I grabbed a flannel shirt off one of the rogues and handed it to her. It was practically in tatters.

"I know it's gross, but it's better than nothing."

She put the shirt on.

"Lyla, I need to alert the Alpha and have him take care of the bodies."

She started to panic.