Chapter 24: Chapter Twenty-Four

Tyler Trip

The last time I wore a tux was at my junior prom. It was the final party before the Feral War kicked into high gear.

I remember waiting for Del by my car, parked at the end of her driveway, too scared to knock on her door and face her dad.

I was even more nervous now.

My new tux was a sharp gray, matched with a fresh white shirt and dress shoes that were a bit too snug.

Sweat was gathering down my back, making my neck sticky under the stiff collar of my shirt. I kept tugging at it, and each time I did, Rowan would nudge me with his elbow.

“You look good,” Rowan muttered from the corner of his mouth. “Quit squirming.”

“It’s a hundred degrees,” I shot back. Even though night had fallen a few hours ago, the humidity was relentless. Plus, I was nervous. Really nervous.

We were standing on my front porch, the railings adorned with white flowers woven with fairy lights.

The center of the porch had been transformed into a makeshift altar, with more lights and flowers outlining its shape.

Rows of log benches, usually used for bonfires or pack meetings, were spread out on my front lawn, arranged to create a center aisle.

My pack was scattered on either side, with my closest friends in the front row. Jackie gave me a quick thumbs-up from her seat.

I turned to Rowan. “I need to change.”

He shot me a stern look and made me turn around. “You’re fine.”

My chest felt constricted. “No,” I insisted, “I need to change right now. I need to put on a t-shirt or—”

“Dude,” Rowan cut in, “come on—”

A bead of sweat trickled down my temple. “Shit, man, I need to—”

A hush fell over the crowd as they all turned in their seats. I closed my eyes for a moment, letting myself remember how I used to picture this day.

In my mind, it was Ryan standing next to me, not Rowan. It was a chilly winter’s day, not the height of summer. It was Del walking toward me, not Caroline.

~“How long will you love me?” she asked, her honey-colored hair soft in my hands.~

~“Forever,” I promised. “Until the day my heart stops beating.”~

~“How will I know?” she pressed, her soft lips turned down in worry.~

~“You’ll know because every time winter turns into spring, I think of you. The smell of the woods coming back to life reminds me of your smile.~

~“You’ll know because sun showers were your favorite, and I hear your laughter when they happen. You’ll know because there will never be a night when you don’t visit my dreams.”~

~“But you’re leaving me now,” she accused, her eyes filling with tears.~

~“Yes,” I whispered softly. “I am.”~

~“You said that I had your whole heart; every beat.”~

~“You did,” I said, “but my heart has grown.”~

~I clenched my teeth as I felt her touch on my back, smelled her hair as she wrapped her arms around my neck. “Goodbye, Tyler,” she whispered.~

~“Goodbye, Del.”~

I opened my eyes.

Caroline was standing at the end of the aisle with her dad on one side and Han on the other.

It wasn’t customary for a father to walk their daughter to their mate, but with Caroline’s leg in its current condition, she had to be practically carried.

She wore a light blue dress that hugged her waist and then flared gently, reaching different lengths at her ankles and shins.

Her hair was styled in tight curls, one side pinned up to reveal the soft pale skin of her neck. She held a simple bouquet of white flowers and baby’s breath.

The sun was setting quickly, the sky aflame with it. The last of the pinkish-orange light caught the edges of her hair, making it glow red.

She gave me a shaky smile when she saw me; a smile tinged with the same sorrow I felt.

I stood up straighter for her, offering her a smile every time she wobbled.

Han watched her closely, making sure she was confident with each step. On the other hand, Rick held onto her arm tightly, his face stern and unreadable.

Everyone cheered when Caroline made it to the end. I jumped down the few steps and took her from her father and brother, ensuring she was steady before I helped her onto the porch.

Her hands gripped my arms tightly and her face was flushed, her eyes bright with nerves. She leaned in close. “You must be hot,” she murmured sympathetically.

“I’m fine,” I assured her, holding back a smile.

Caroline nodded and smoothed out her dress, fussing with the pins in her hair before she caught me staring and smiled self-consciously.

“You look beautiful,” I whispered to her. “Even though I know you’re really uncomfortable.”

She let out a quick laugh, her eyes glistening with a few tears. I took her hand and held it steady, wanting her to know that I was here, ready to support her in whatever she needed.

She squeezed back, letting me know she was ready to offer me the same.

The crowd held their breath as one of our pack elders shuffled up the porch steps with Rowan’s help.

The old man positioned himself before us humbly, raised his hands, and drew attention to himself. I tried not to laugh when I caught Caroline’s eye.

“Traditionally, the previous alpha conducts this ceremony for his successor,” the old man began.

“But as Alpha Vex is with the Goddess, I will be conducting this ceremony as the beta who served the alpha before him.”

We all lowered our heads as we remembered Vex, mourning for the legacy he never got to establish.

I stole a glance at Caroline, and my stomach twisted at the sight of her.

Her freckles were hidden behind a dusting of blush, likely applied by her mom. Lips painted with lipstick that she was nibbling off every time she bit her lower lip.

“May the Goddess unite this man and woman, may she recognize them as mates, bonded by a lifetime of companionship, partnership, and love.

“May she bless them in battle, in family, and in their pursuit of happiness and fulfillment. May she grant our alpha and luna a lifetime of leadership, prosperity, and trust.

“Do you, Caroline Ryder, accept the responsibility, challenge, and honor of luna?”

Caroline drew in a deep breath. “Yes.” My heart tightened. “I accept the responsibility, the challenge, and the honor.”

“Do you promise to care for your pack as you would your mate?”

“Yes,” Caroline affirmed, her gaze sweeping over the gathered wolves. “I will protect them with my life.”

“Do you vow to love Tyler Trip for the rest of your life?”

“Yes,” Caroline whispered, her blue eyes meeting mine. “I do.”

The elder man smiled. “Alpha Tyler Trip,” he began, “do you accept Caroline Ryder’s pledge to become luna? Do you promise to support her in bearing the responsibility, challenge, and honor of luna?”

“Yes,” I responded, my voice steady and sure.

“I accept Caroline Ryder’s pledge to become luna. I embrace my role in our partnership and vow to support her with the responsibility, challenges, and honor that come with being luna.”

“Do you promise to care for your mate as you would your pack?”

“Yes,” I declared. “I will protect her with my life.” I heard her breath catch.

“Do you vow to love Caroline Ryder for the rest of your life?”

~Goodbye, Del.~

“Yes,” I said. “I do.”

Caroline’s hands found my neck, her fingers threading through my hair before she pulled me down to kiss her. I wrapped my arms around her lower back, lifting her slightly to pull her closer.

Our kiss was met with a loud cheer and applause. As we pulled apart, she darted forward to peck me a few more times, as if she wanted to savor the moment forever.

“In the eyes of the Goddess and the name of this pack, I present Alpha Tyler Trip and Luna Caroline Ryder.”

The crowd rose to their feet as we joined hands, and Caroline lifted her bouquet in the air. Her face was split by the biggest smile I’d ever seen and her eyes were glistening with tears.

I wiped a few as they fell to her cheeks. She leaned into my hand, her lower lip trembling. “I love you,” she whispered, “more than I thought possible.”

“I love you too,” I said, pressing a kiss to her mouth. “You will be an amazing luna.”

I half-carried Caroline down the aisle with Rowan and Jackie trailing behind us.

The field beyond our house had been transformed with two large tents, adorned with lights and flowers. Food was spread out, tables were set, and a space had been cleared for dancing.

A fire was roaring by the time we arrived, the flames crackling and snapping as the sun set.

I watched the fire for a moment before Caroline tugged gently on my suit jacket, offering me a comforting smile.

“Congratulations,” Bennie grinned, bumping his elbow against mine.

I returned his grin. “Thanks, man.”

Aaron and Sarah came up together, each offering their congratulations and well wishes to Caroline.

“I can’t believe you didn’t wait until you both were healed,” Sarah said.

Caroline shrugged. “Impatience.”

“I was going to say triumphant love,” I countered.

She grinned. “Either works.”

Rowan removed his jacket and unbuttoned a few buttons. “I just wish you had waited until the fall.” That got a laugh from everyone.

Music started to play softly in the background and I excused us from our friends before leading Caroline to the dance floor.

Her leg was stiff and nearly immobile, so I had to lift her by the waist and place her feet over mine, making sure to put most of her weight on her good leg.

I watched her stare down at our feet as I began to dance, her brows furrowed with frustration. I pressed a kiss to her neck, then whispered in her ear. “You will recover,” I promised her.

“Impatience,” she said.

I chuckled as I folded her hand in mine, lifting her slightly by the waist to ensure she didn’t feel pain in her leg. “We’re mates,” I murmured. “Crazy, isn’t it?”

Caroline nodded. “No turning back now.”

“Only moving forward,” I agreed.

We held each other close as we danced and Caroline rested her head on my chest as we spun.

I wasn’t the most graceful dancer but I managed to keep up with the slow rhythm. I wanted Caroline to remember the romance of the moment and not any missteps.

Slowly, other couples joined us, and soon, my nerves were eased by a sense of community and anonymity.

I traced the freckles on her shoulder with my eyes, admired the blush beneath her pale skin, the corkscrew curls of her hair.

More than anything else, I admired her determination.

Despite the pain I knew she was in, she never gave in to it; never asked to sit down or to take a break.

She persevered, fought tooth and nail, with her teeth bared. This was Caroline at her core, and it was why I’d chosen her.

“Do you mind if we cut in?” I turned to see Caroline’s parents waiting expectantly.

Without a word, I helped Caroline move to her father’s embrace and I offered Caroline’s mother my hand.

I hadn’t interacted much with Caroline’s mother. Caroline bore a striking resemblance to this woman: their hair and eyes were the same color and their stature was similar.

However, Caroline did not have her mother’s softness.

“She is my baby,” Caroline’s mother mused. “My youngest and my only girl.”

“Yes, I know,” I said gently.

“I love her with a fierceness I can’t explain to someone who isn’t a parent,” Caroline’s mother patted my shoulder. “She has been through an unspeakable tragedy, as you have, Alpha.

“I know she would hate that I’m asking, but I don’t care. I have to ask you to look out for her. I couldn’t bear for her to go through any more than what she has.”

“Of course,” I murmured, and my eyes slipped to Caroline, who was laughing with her father as they tried to navigate an awkward dance between two terrible dancers. “I promise.”

“Good,” Caroline’s mother said, pecking my cheek and then rubbing the lipstick residue away with her thumb. “I’m glad we’re on the same page.”

At some point in the night, Caroline and I found our way back to each other. She pressed her face into my chest, exhausted after hours of standing on her leg.

We slipped away between songs. Caroline wrapped her arms tightly around my neck as I carried her back to our home.

Her eyes darted around the room, taking in the walls we’d painted together, the armoire tucked in the corner, and the bed in the center. The king-sized bed was draped with white lace curtains, and fairy lights twinkled along the canopy frame. Each of us had a nightstand, and I’d already placed a photo of her family on hers.

“When did you do all this?” she asked, her voice choked with emotion as she took in everything from the pillows to the rug. “We’re not sleeping in the living room anymore?”

I shook my head. “No, we’re not.”

She reached up, her fingers curling around the back of my neck and into my hair, pulling me down to her. Our lips met in a soft, tender kiss, her way of saying thank you. I was gentle as I lifted her, gentle as I set her down on the bed, and gentle as I removed her shoes.

But Caroline was anything but gentle as she stripped me of my tie and then my shirt, her hands pressing against my skin as her lips moved with mine.

I chuckled above her, helping her pull my shirt overhead. “There’s no rush, Caroline,” I whispered.

She held my face with both hands and kissed me again. One hand traced a path from my throat, across my chest, and down to my abdomen.

My hands slid up her thighs, carefully lifting her dress over her injured leg, and snaked around her waist.

She broke our kiss, her face scrunching up. “Did that hurt?” I asked.

She nodded, a tear of frustration slipping down her cheek. I kissed it away, squeezing her hand. “We’ll figure it out,” I reassured her, pressing kisses to her face and neck. “I’m here for you, Caroline.”

“I love you,” she murmured, tilting her neck to give me better access.

A thrill ran through me as I trailed my nose against her skin, feeling the warmth of her under my lips as I planted a kiss just below her jaw.

“You’re mine, Tyler,” she vowed. “Now, show me that I’m yours.”

Desire surged through me as I bit into her skin, just hard enough to leave a mark. Caroline hissed in a breath, her eyes closing as she gripped my shoulders tightly.

I kissed her neck, circling the spot I’d just marked before pressing my mouth to her shoulder.

She lifted my face, a blissful smile on her face as she pressed a soft kiss to my lips. “Show me how gentle you can be,” she whispered. “Let me feel how much you love me.”

Slowly, she unbuckled my belt, her eyes never leaving mine as she pushed my pants down.

I brushed her hair from her face, admiring her coy smile before following her lead as we undressed each other: my belt, her dress, my pants, her bra…until there was nothing left between us.

Our first time together as a mated pair was careful, slow, and aware. It was a delicate balance between desire and caution, lust and limitations.

I was careful not to put any weight on her leg, and she was careful not to strain my arm. It was a dance between us, our bodies generating a heat that rivaled the humid summer night.

Afterward, we lay together, her head resting on my shoulder, our hands lazily intertwined.

“I don’t want you to leave tomorrow,” Caroline whispered, her face buried in my chest. “I want you to wait until I can go with you.”

I kissed her curls. “You know I can’t wait. It would risk another attack on our territory.”

I brought our entwined hands to my lips, kissing the back of her hand. “I’d feel better if you were fighting alongside me, but it’s not possible.”

“I’m the luna,” she argued.

I growled lightly. “Say it again,” I coaxed.

A sexy smile played on her lips. “I’m the luna,” she declared, her voice husky.

I pressed my nose to the mark on her neck, her body arching up to meet mine. Her fingers found my sides, squeezing my obliques.

“Yes, you are,” I breathed, capturing her lips with mine. My hands slid down her body, only to be interrupted by frantic knocking at the door.

Caroline jolted upright, wincing as her movement jostled her leg. I quickly dressed, tossing clothes to her before rushing to the window to see four people outside.

I tried to help Caroline with her clothes, but she swatted my hands away.

“Go,” she said. “Just go. I’ll be down in a second.” I hesitated for a moment, guilt gnawing at me, but I nodded and took the stairs two at a time.

“What?” I growled as I flung open the door.

Han was standing on my front porch, his older brother behind him with Rowan and Aaron. “Where’s my sister?” Han asked, trying to look past me.

I turned to Rowan. “What’s going on?”

His face was grim. Mick stepped forward, his finger raised. “We went home after the ceremony and found our mother’s garden destroyed.

“We think it’s a sign of an impending attack since we’re on the edge of the territory and Moray knows our house and—”

I swore under my breath. “So, we can’t wait until tomorrow morning.” I glanced over my shoulder at the clock. It was just past midnight.

Rowan shook his head. “I don’t think so, Trip.”

I turned to Aaron. “I need you to gather the lookouts and scouts, form a team of the best from both groups, and send them ahead of us.”

I looked up the stairs, knowing Caroline was listening. “I’ll be twenty minutes behind with the enforcers.

“Rowan, round up any able-bodied fighter you can find. Tell Sarah to leave a few trainees behind to stand guard. We need to stop this before they have a chance to strike.”

Han shifted uncomfortably. “Is Caroline—?”

“She’s staying here,” I cut him off. “She can’t fight.”

“I know that,” Han snapped back. “I was going to suggest she come and stay with our mom. It might be good for Caroline to have company, in case they decide to come after us.”

I gripped the door, ready to close it. “I’ll talk to her.”

I was about to shut the door when Rowan stopped me. “Trip?”

“Huh?” I responded, my mind already spinning with strategies for the upcoming fight.

“Can you handle the fight?”

Suddenly, I became aware of the dull pain in my overworked shoulder. It was still on the mend, but I didn’t have the luxury of choice.

“Be ready in twenty minutes.”

I shut the door and dashed up the stairs, spinning into the bedroom to find Caroline leaning against the window frame, her shoulders stiff as she tried to keep the weight off her swollen leg.

She was wearing nothing but one of my old t-shirts. “You need to go now,” she whispered.

I nodded. “Yes.” I darted to the closet, rummaging through it to find clothes that I could easily discard later when I inevitably shifted. “Don’t worry, Caroline. We’ll be quick. In and out.”

She nodded, then lowered her head. “Promise me—”

I moved to her, quieting her before she could finish. Her words were making me anxious and casting a shadow of doom over me. “I’ll be okay.”

Caroline nodded, wiping away a stray tear. “Look after my brothers.”

I held her shoulders. “Look after our pack.”

Her lips quivered with a terrified smile. I helped her sit on the bed and then vanished into the walk-in closet, pulling out a pair of crutches from the back and handing them to her.

“These will help you move around.”

She accepted them with hesitation, and I saw sorrow in her eyes that I wished I could wipe away. She looked up at me; her determination slowly hardening her features into the face I fell in love with.

“Go kick Moray’s ass for me.”

“Will do,” I said with a grin, giving her a quick kiss before I rushed to get ready. I said goodbye a moment later and then was striding away from our house, fighting the urge to look back at her.

Rowan met me with a group, half-shifted and itching for the fight. “Alpha,” he acknowledged, setting the tone for everyone else.

I surveyed the group, finding fewer wolves than I had hoped. I hadn’t realized how many had left with Ryan and Theo.

“Sarah?” I asked.

My lead enforcer stepped forward from the crowd. “We’re ready,” she reported. “I have a team of strikers and defenders, as well as a group of four trainees staying back to protect the territory.”

I nodded. “Aaron?”

“He’s already gone,” Rowan reported. “The scouts went first before the lookouts spread out, staggering themselves to reduce the risk of missing any intruders.”

“We leave now. I’ll lead the first wave, followed by Sarah, and then Rowan and his team. Understood?” I was met with a sea of nodding heads.

“We don’t kill; we’re trying to uphold the treaty we signed. However, if a human tries to use deadly force, you have the right to defend your life.”

We started the descent down the mountain with the moon hanging full and heavy above us. The forest was eerily silent, except for the soft rustle of our trained footsteps.

Every fiber of my being was on high alert as we passed the Ryder household, and I shot a glance at the ruined garden at the back.

I growled softly as we pushed out of our territory and into the valley that was marked as no man’s land.

I heard a short howl and paused, raising my hand to stop the force behind me. A short howl was a warning; the enemy knew we were coming.

With no other option, we pushed forward even faster until we reached the human settlement. I paused at the edge of an open field, the grass knee-high and swaying.

Standing at the entrance of the town were Moray and his group of men, armed with guns and torches.

I saw him and a growl ripped from my chest as I remembered Caroline bleeding in Grant’s arms. This was the man who had threatened my pack, invaded my territory, and attacked my mate.

I lunged forward and shifted, hitting the ground with four paws and feeling the earth shake beneath me.

I let out a snarl, pulling my lips back over my canines and flattening my ears against my skull.

Behind me, my pack shifted, lunged forward, and let out their own growls, barks, howls, and snarls. I crouched low, rolling my shoulders back as I focused on my prey.

With a sharp howl, I charged at full speed, unleashing the fury of my pack on Moray and his town of Sun Warriors.

I was going to show him that I was the alpha.

I was going to show him what an alpha does for his pack.

I was going to show him a long and painful death.