Tyler stood in front of his house and watched as Ashton strode confidently towards him. He knew that his actions against his Alpha had to be punished. His parents stood beside him; his father's stance straight and shoulders back, while his mom stood firm holding his hand. Both their eyes shone with strength and he could feel its intensity as it pulsed through the air around them. Their absolute faith in him gave him confidence and courage.
"Come, Tyler," Ashton ordered.
Tyler felt the command, but oddly enough he didn't feel the urge to follow it. His wolf stood firm and refused to give in. What did it mean? Why was his wolf able to refuse the command of his Alpha?
Tyler started to walk when his mom grabbed him and hugged him. Her arms were wrapped tightly around him.
"Never falter on the path that you choose," she whispered in his ear. "I love you."
"I love you too."
Tyler stepped away from his mom and met his father's strong gaze. Tyler noticed his father seemed to have regained some of his own confidence. He took his fathers outstretched hand and held it firmly. His father said nothing, just smiled and nodded.
Tyler strode to Ashton, but before he could get close his two henchmen came out of nowhere, grabbed him by the arms and forced him to his knees.
Ashton's combat boots came into Tyler's view. He looked up and smirked.
"Is this how you get everyone to bow to you?"
Ashton's fist flashed and landed squarely on Tyler's cheek. The henchmen held Tyler firmly as Ashton continuously landed blow after blow. Ashton's anger only grew when he saw that Tyler's determination hadn't faltered. He waved his hand and his henchmen released Tyler. He grabbed Tyler by the throat and held him a few inches off the ground.
"Kneel before me and I shall stop the punishment."
Tyler and his wolf growled as one. There was no way in hell he was going to submit to a failure of an Alpha. His loyalty was to his Alpha and to his family.
"So be it," Ashton sneered.
Ashton punched Tyler in the gut and watched as he stumbled from his grip holding his stomach. When he didn't fall Ashton, roundhouse kicked him in the ribs. The force sent Tyler flying into a large oak tree. Tyler laid on the ground unable to move as his body had finally received enough abuse. Ashton put his foot on Tyler's head and pushed Tyler's face into the dirt.
"Learn your place," Ashton sneered and sauntered away.
Joselin and Gregory rushed to their son who lay motionless.
"Tyler, baby can you move?" Joselin asked her voice filled with concern.
Tyler gathered what little strength he had left and on shaky arms pushed himself into a sitting position. When he was done, he leaned against the oak tree and sighed.
"I really got my ass kicked," Tyler said.
"True, but what was important was the pack saw your resolve," Gregory said. "I am proud of you, son."
"Let's get you inside so I can put you back together," Joselin said.
Tyler laughed and started coughing.
"I'd try not to laugh as it looks like he may have broken a few ribs," Joselin said.
"Why does he always go for the ribs?" Tyler moaned.
"Come, son," Gregory said grabbing him under the arm and lifting him to his feet. Tyler stumbled and his mom was there to steady him with a firm hand on his chest. He had an arm around the shoulders of each parent and they slowly made their way inside.
Once inside, Joselin went to work. She cleaned and bandaged Tyler's wounds. Joselin brushed her fingertips across the wound on his upper back that was from the oak tree; it was a deep jagged gash. Tyler hissed in a breath.
"Your mate will not like this," Joselin said.
Tyler was quiet for a moment. "No. He won't," he said looking at the floor.
"Being an Alpha won't help matters," Gregory said. "When one sees their mate injured it brings out the protectiveness in a wolf. A female will be like your mother, while a male will become fierce and they'll want to fight the one that hurt their mate."
"How is having an Alpha as a mate different?" Tyler inquired.
"Well," Joselin said, "An Alpha's energy is stronger and his wolf fiercer."
Tyler recalled the last time he met Dominic when Ashton had broken his rib. Dominic was so pissed not to mention his wolf; its energy was so violent.
"If you don't want Ashton to know about Dominic yet," Gregory said, "You'll have to find a way to stop him from coming here and challenging Ashton."
Tyler dropped his gaze to the floor and sighed.
"It doesn't appear that your ribs are broken," Joselin said standing. She washed her hands in the basin and took the towel her mate brought her. "If you have the strength, I'd go to your mate. From what you told me, you two meet every day and you weren't able to meet yesterday."
Tyler slowly stood up; his legs wobbled a bit, but he could stand. He hugged his mom and left.
Tyler leaned on the trees as he made his way to the clearing where he knew Dominic and Noir would be waiting. He also knew that both of them would be worried sick. As he came up to the clearing, he tried to figure out how he was going to explain everything to Dominic.
"Ty!" Dominic yelled. He got up from his spot on the log and rushed to Tyler.
When he reached him, Tyler could see the anger in his eyes as he took in Tyler's injuries. What his father said was true. Tyler could feel Dominic's rage; it rippled through the air like a raging storm against the sea.
"Who did this to you?" Dominic demanded.
"Dom," Tyler started.
"It was Ashton, wasn't it?" Dominic growled. "That bastard!"
Tyler stood there oddly happy at Dominic's rage. Yes, Dominic was his mate, but did Dominic know that? Had he figured it out yet?
Tyler placed a hand on Dominic's chest, bringing his attention back to himself. "Calm down. I stood up to Ashton and punched him in the face. So, of course my actions demanded this outcome."
"You punched Ashton, your Alpha, in the face?" Dominic asked.
"He's not my Alpha!" Tyler stated angrily.
Dominic took a step back surprised. Tyler had declared he had broken ties with his pack. Dominic knew he would never leave the pack because of his family, but he no longer had any loyalty to Ashton, if there was any to begin with.
"You understand what you just said, don't you?" Dominic asked.
"I do."
"Then you must find another pack or become a lone wolf."
Tyler thought carefully about how to approach this matter. He didn't want to chase Dominic away or give away that they were mates. Dominic had to figure that out himself.
Tyler dropped to his knees in front of Dominic and locked eyes with him. "If you will have me, I chose you as my Alpha."
Dominic stood dumbfounded. Yes, he was an Alpha, but if he accepted, that would make Tyler part of his pack. There really wasn't anything that would make him change his mind. He cared too much for Tyler to let him down.
Dominic went to his knees and rested his hand on Tyler's shoulder. "Yes, I'll have you. You do know that you're a Beta?"
Tyler nodded. "I figured as much when I was able to stand up to Ashton. Also, my mom told me." Tyler looked away from Dominic and sighed. "My parents know I've been meeting you."
Dominic chuckled bringing Tyler's gaze back to him. "I figured as much. I doubt your mom would let you out of the house otherwise."
Tyler smiled. "Yeah. She's been worried about me. Standing up to Ashton has only given him more reason to go after my family." Tyler clenched his fists seething as the image of Ashton hovering over his mother flashed before his eyes.
Dominic laid his hand on Tyler's shoulder. "I doubt your parents feel anything but pride. You did an amazing thing. I'm sure the pack has also felt a change. More may start to stand up to him."
"I don't see how that will be a good thing. The only reason why I can stand up to him is because I'm a Beta. I no longer have any ties to this pack other than my family. Ashton is no longer my Alpha."
"You still care for the pack, right?" Dominic asked.
"Of course."
"Will you fight for them?"
"Yes."
Dominic smiled. There was no hesitation in his response. The strength in his eyes made his heart flutter. Dominic blinked startled. He shook his head and stood pulling Tyler up with him.
"Then so will I."
Tyler pulled Dominic in a hug. He resisted the urge to kiss him. "Thank you."
"You're my Beta. What kind of Alpha would I be if I can't fight alongside my Beta?"
Tyler smiled. "You're already an amazing Alpha."
Dominic slapped Tyler's back making him stumble and hiss in a breath. Dominic grabbed him and looked over Tyler's shoulder; blood had started to soak into his shirt.
"Damn it!" Dominic said. "I'm sorry, Ty."
Tyler held up his hand and shook his head. "Not your fault. There's no way you'd know where my injuries were."
"It's bleeding pretty badly," Dominic said concerned. "I don't have a first aid kit with me."
"I'll be fine. It should be fully healed..." Tyler lost his train of thought as his mind went blank.
"Ty?" Dominic said worried.
"Dom," Tyler said as his legs gave out and his knees buckled.
"Ty!" Dominic caught Tyler and picked him up.
