Chapter 5 Tyler Saw My Wolf

Tyler is a good friend, even though he wishes to be so much more. I've known about his feelings for me since the night we faced those rogues in the forest, when I cried in his arms, and he was just there. And even after seeing my wolf, he didn't give me away.

Flashback

"Tyler, we can't do this. They can't know about me."

He watched me for a moment, then agreed, finally understanding what I meant.

He shifted back into his wolf and started digging a huge hole. I shifted too, and we dug until the hole was big enough for three rogues.

After we covered the hole, we washed off in the river. Tyler gave me some privacy to clean up in peace, but my wolf kept bothering me with the idea that he was more interested in me than I had thought.

We walked back together without saying a word until we reached my house. Tyler was deep in thought, and I understood why.

"Tyler, promise me you won't tell anyone about this, not even my mom?"

I looked deeply into his brown eyes, waiting for his answer.

"I promise, Lyl, but do you have any idea what it is?"

"No, my mom hasn't told me yet."

I shook my head, and he watched me for a few more moments.

"That's why I was out there-to think."

"Nick hasn't spoken to me in weeks. He's been ignoring all my calls and texts for a month."

"I think it's over between us. He just didn't bother to tell me."

"I'm so confused about why he asked me to wait for him if he was going to abandon me after being away for just two months."

"We went from talking every day to nothing. Not even an explanation why."

I felt his tight embrace, and I hugged him back, not caring that he was still naked.

I cried openly, and he stayed, not caring. He held me until I pulled myself together.

My wolf was angry, sad, desperate.

It was almost morning by the time we said goodbye, but we did it anyway.

It still bothers me not knowing what I am, where I came from, or why those rogues were after me-or even how they spoke of my father with such conviction.

But ever since then, I've had the feeling it wouldn't be the last time I'd encounter rogues. That morning, I realized how little I know about myself and that maybe Nick had the same idea. I understood that I couldn't hold him accountable, nor could he hold me.

I decided I wouldn't care about Nick anymore, or at least I'd try not to. I went to class, trying to push all these thoughts away.

End of flashback

I really needed to focus. We had exams next week.

But I couldn't stop thinking about it all over again-it was maybe too much for me. I felt my chest heavy and my mind racing, too much for a teenager. Maybe I shouldn't be so hard on myself, but how could I not be when I simply don't know who I am?

Tyler's POV

If She Knew the Truth, She'd Never Look at Nick the Same Way Again

I was so excited that she agreed. I mean, we hang out all the time, but every time I invite her to do something in town, especially at a club, she always refuses.

Beck and I have convinced her to grab burgers a few times and watch a movie. But that was Lyla's limit. She didn't like being away from the group, which was unusual for a teenager full of hormones. A lot of our packmates were already mating, and I've even hooked up with a few girls myself. But not Lyla. Ever since Nick, she's stayed home, keeping to herself.

My wolf, Skyler, was bouncing around like a kid on Christmas morning.

"I hope she's my mate. She smells so good."

I knew she had trouble getting over Nick. And I still feel angry at him for hurting her that way.

Lyla was his first girlfriend, and I was hoping he just didn't know how to break up with a girl. But a year ago, I found out Nick had been hooking up with Brooklyn behind Lyla's back. I gave up on him after that-he wasn't as good a guy as I thought.

If he really loved Lyl, he would've waited until she was ready, not gone looking to mate elsewhere, especially with his best friend's younger sister. And it wasn't like they were destined mates. I would wait for Lyla if that's what she wanted.

I doubt Landyn knew. Brooke wasn't exactly announcing it. She only slipped up when Beck confronted her after she attacked Lily, but I'm sure her friends knew. She wouldn't miss a chance to brag.

We then discovered why Brooke was so mean to Lyla. Nick was willing to have a public relationship with her but kept Brooke, a seasoned member, a secret. Beck and I never told Lily about Brooke. We didn't think it was a good idea to tell her. Her first love was essentially a fraud. Beck didn't think Lily would handle it well.

She was already at rock bottom when Nick left her the first time, but now she was doing much better, and we didn't want to take her back to that place.

I guess there's never really a good time, and so much time has passed. We decided that maybe she wouldn't find out.

No one knows, but I'm deeply in love with Lyla. She's perfect. Sweet, kind, and beautiful-any man would be lucky to have her as his mate.

When I first realized I was in love with Lyla, I was so ashamed of myself.

Nick had just left a few weeks earlier. I couldn't believe I had fallen for one of my best friend's girlfriend. It was going against every friend code I knew.

But when I found out what he did to Lyla and Brooke, I didn't feel as guilty.

If Nick didn't care about breaking any friend code we had, why should I?

I haven't talked much to him since he left. I really didn't make much effort, and honestly, he didn't either.

But if he called or texted, I always replied. He was the future alpha. I couldn't be disrespectful.

Even though I wanted nothing more than to punch him square in the face.

To this day, I still think about the moment I knew I loved her, and since then, those feelings have only grown stronger.

I know she doesn't see me as more than a friend, but I can only hope.