Chapter 21

I stared at the man in the door for several minutes, trying to wrap it around my head that he was here. Tilting my head, I finally let the shock drain from my expression. Replacing it with a calm one, I nodded toward him.

"Tyler," I greeted, his name easily flowing from my lips.

"It's good to see you too," he chuckled, and I moved aside to let him in.

Like most wolves, Tyler was tall and muscular. He had been in the army for a number of years, long ago before settling for something a little easier. His brown hair was still cropped short, and his blue eyes were as blue as I remembered. He moved with all the confidence an alpha should have, but he was respectful of others. Jacob walked forward, and shook his hand.

"Glad you could make it," Jacob smiled.

"Thank you for calling," Tyler nodded. "And I'll be happy to teach, but from the looks of it you are doing just fine on your own."

"Well, I always like to learn more."

Tyler chuckled and turned back to me as I slowly shut the door. It was still taking me a moment to truly register that he was here. When I turned fully around and looked at him, I tilted my head a bit just so that I could see his eyes. He smiled at me and I found myself moving and hugging him. Tyler wrapped me up in a hug and squeezed me tightly.

"Your alpha said he was having some issues with you," he rumbled. "Said you were being too good. I always took that as a bad sign."

"You knew me well," I sighed sadly, parting from him.

"You did live in our territory for many years. Of course I knew you well," Tyler smiled.

I turned to look at Jacob, and approached him quietly. He leaned down to speak quietly to me.

"I could tell," he sighed. "And anyway, Tyler agreed to help us with the Volturi. He says his pack will be just fine for a few weeks. His wolves are loyal to him."

Giving him a look, I moved back and watched as the pack moved off to serve dinner as it was finished cooking. I turned back to Tyler who crossed his arms and gave me a quiet look. I felt like I was in trouble under his stare, and in defense, I arched my brow. He chuckled.

"Why don't we walk and you can talk about what has been happening," he offered.

"Okay," I replied.

Grabbing my coat and boots, I took him back outside and we started to walk. He took in everything while we walked in silence for a moment, and I let him do so. Tyler always liked to know his surroundings. I was assuming he was also trying to figure out how best to deal with everything. He never had a problem with other dominant wolves. He was as dominant as they come, so even other alphas backed down to him. It's what I had enjoyed about Tyler. Even though he was an extremely dominant alpha, he never used his dominance or title in the wrong way.

"So tell me what's been happening," he sighed.

I put my hands in my coat pockets. "He's been giving me issues. While he won't come to the house in person, he will bug me while we're in wolf form. Maybe it is easier for him. I was getting back to normal in the pack, but with the trouble in Forks, we've had to meet. It's the only time I really see him human."

"Jacob says he likes to cause quiet a stir," Tyler mused. "Even though he says little."

"He won't speak to me," I growled. "But I can feel the aggression, or any emotion. It's easy to read on him. Sam said he's been having trouble with him still, so it's been hard. I've been trying so hard to heal what had been broken, but every time I see him...It's like all my control slips. I want to kill him, I'm so hurt. I didn't want any of this..."

Tyler sighed softly, and reached out to wrap an arm around my shoulders. He drew me in for a hug, and I took to comfort he provided. It had been over three years since I had last seen him, but it was nice to know he wasn't angry at me for leaving. I had packed up and left one day, and that had been that. Not that it mattered, I had not been part of the pack there. I owed it to him though.

"Once you can get over the hurt, you will be all right," Tyler sighed. "Soon he'll be just another wolf. You'll be able to heal, darlin. Don't you worry. I'll be here for a little while until you can bounce back. Just know I can't stay forever."

"I'm grateful you came here," I admitted. "It's good to see you."

"It's always a pleasure to see you, little wolf," he mused. "You know that."

I smiled at him as he gave my shoulders a squeeze and then let go of me again. We looped around, and came down the beach when I spotted Sam's pack. They were having a fire, since the evening air was so calm. I tensed at the sight of them, and Tyler didn't fail to notice them. He moved us closer to the water, giving them all plenty of space. I wasn't unaware that he put himself between us.

"Kayla?"

It was the first time I had heard him speak in weeks. He had never uttered a word in my direction until now, and I bristled. Beside me, Tyler hummed softly and gave me a gentle glance. He was much older than all of us, and I knew I was going to be fine. Letting out a breath, I had to stop when Paul got close enough.

"Paul," I answered, my voice calm.

I knew exactly why he was coming over. He wasn't happy that the bond broke, and he was still spiraling. Paul eyed Tyler for a moment and then tilted his head in obvious arrogance. It made Tyler smile at him.

"Who are you?" Paul asked. "I've never seen you around here before."

"Paul," Sam warned, as the pack got to their feet.

"I'm Tyler Hanes," he answered, looking at the wolf in front of him. "And you must be Paul. I've heard much about you."

"Oh?" Paul's eyebrow ticked, and he glared at me. "So you must be the wolf she got answers from."

"That would be me," Tyler replied easily. "I've been alive far longer than you and your pack. I knew exactly what she was asking about."

Sam moved forward to stand next to Paul. He offered his hand to Tyler, who shook it.

"I'm Sam, alpha of this pack," he rumbled, gesturing to those behind him.

"Nice to meet you," Tyler nodded.

"Just couldn't wait," Paul suddenly hissed, eying me.

"Excuse me?" I asked, shocked.

"It's no wonder you wanted this bond broken," he growled.

My mouth fell open, and Sam immediately put his hand on Paul's shoulder and gave it a painful squeeze. I could tell it hurt him, but Paul shook his alpha off for the first time. That surprised me even more. Tyler shifted slightly.

"It was a pleasure to meet you Sam. Paul," Tyler rumbled. "We were just finishing up this walk. I'm sure we'll be in touch."

He turned and gave me one firm look to get moving. Lowering my head a little, I went to follow him when someone grabbed my arm. Paul yanked me back toward him, a low growl in his chest. I could see the hurt in his eyes, as well as the anger. He was more angry then hurt.

"I'm not done talking to you," he growled.

"You haven't spoken to me in weeks," I murmured, my voice firm. "And now you think it's okay to talk? Let go of me. I'm done. We cannot fix it. I'm having a hard enough time fixing myself."

"You could have stopped this…."

Sam put his hand on Paul's arm, squeezing until he let go of me. I could have roared at Paul, as even more anger surged forward in me. He leaned forward, meeting my aggression. I gave him a nasty glare, and he matched it with one of his own. That he thought I could have stopped this made me feel sick. The nerve of him to suggest it...again!

"We've already been through this," I hissed. "I tried, and you didn't listen."

"No, you just wanted to run off with the next wolf that came your way," Paul growled.

What happened next was too fast for me. Tyler moved forward and grabbed Paul by the throat and sent the man several steps back. Sam crippled under the dominant stare of the other alpha and everyone fell silent. As Tyler squeezed, Paul gasped and I saw the rage flare in his eyes. As Tyler stared at him, not moving I watched as his anger simmered just a little. He knew he was up against someone much more powerful than he was. For once, he played it smart.

"You are not going to phase," Tyler ordered. "I've been alive for over three hundred years, and I've seen much more than you can ever imagine. You...and all the wolves around here are young. Foolish. What happened between you and her was bound to happen sooner or later. You did not put her first, like a mate should. You put your alpha first. Your alpha still has much to learn, and there for he cannot balance everything well enough to have kept you two together. You, Paul….YOU ruined this. I will make myself very clear, if you lay a hand on her again, your alpha will not stop me from killing you."

Sam didn't say anything, and instead he stood there with his eyes to the ground. Tyler released Paul, giving him a swift shove backwards. Paul stumbled just a little as Tyler's arm returned to his side. I stood there in shock for a second at what had just happened. Paul wouldn't meet Tyler's gaze again, but he was staring at me.

"You should be mine," he hissed, his voice painful to hear.

I blinked back several tears that came to my eyes, and I shook my head. I couldn't reply to that. Frankly, I felt that he didn't deserve to have me, or anyone for that matter. I looked at Tyler's back for a moment, and watched him tense just briefly. Tyler turned once he was satisfied that things were done and he took me back to the house. Scent easily told him where to go, and by then I was able to control myself.

"I'm a freaking mess," I complained quietly, making him laugh.

"It's not a problem darlin," he rumbled, his voice warm.

I opened the sliding door, seeing that most of the pack was cleaning up dinner. Two plates had been left out for us. I smiled at how caring they were. Jacob looked up when we shut the door and he tilted his head.

"Run in with the other local pack?" he asked.

"Charming," Tyler answered casually, sitting down at the table.

I made a face at them both, and offered Tyler a beer from the fridge. He took it, as Jacob sat at the table with him and they started talking. I politely stayed out of the conversation, seeing as Tyler was talking to him about leading. Tyler had a lot of knowledge to pass on, I was sure he was happy to teach. He had always been a good teacher. Tyler had always respected other alphas, especially when he was in their territory. It was usually different if they had come to him, but Jacob was a respectable wolf, and their conversation flowed easily.

"So what about the Volturi? Have you ever encountered them before?" Jake asked.

"I've made sure we've stayed away from them. The vampires in Italy are different than the ones here. They claim to rule all of the vampires in the world, but I don't think that's true. They are hanging onto old traditions, some that just do not work in this time. Wolves adapt to live in the time they are in. Vampires tend to linger, picking a time they liked the most and trying to keep it that way."

"Sounds like vampires," Jacob grunted.

"Sooner or later, they are going to have to change. By force more likely," Tyler sighed. "It seems this might be a good start. The half breed you spoke of, she might be that change they need."

"I just hope it doesn't come down to a fight," I murmured.

"We'll fight if we must," Jacob sighed. "But Carlise doesn't want to fight either. It's not in everyone's best interest."

"Oh, that's comforting," I snorted, making him chuckle. "I've heard the leader is quiet destructive."

"Let's hope he's not feeling that way when they arrive," Jacob answered quietly.

It was my turn to laugh at that. Letting them talk, I walked back outside to get some fresh air. Pushing the snow off my porch, I leaned on the railing and looked up at the sky. The stars were out tonight, as were other wolves. I could hear them patrolling all around the reservation tonight. With the active vampire presence, they were all put on edge. Jacob had been doing a fantastic job at getting our pack to control themselves. They had already been able to be around the vampires with little trouble.

Sam's pack was having a harder time. Sam was doing just fine in his control around them, only because he now knew they were no longer a threat. He had been trying to teach the others, but it was difficult. I sighed softly to myself, and rested my chin in my hands. I was a mess on the inside. The outside appeared fine, I had been controlling myself pretty well.

Tyler had said it was extremely difficult to work out once the bond was broken. I was having a hard time, but not as bad as Paul. Maybe it was because I had already felt alone? Pursing my lips, I leaned against the railing quietly. Inside, Tyler and Jacob were deep in discussion. Off in the trees, I noticed a movement and I glanced up from my arms. Seconds later, I was looking down at Paul. He was human for once, and not hiding behind his wolf form. I glared at him, but I said nothing when he stayed where he was.

"I'm sorry...for the way I acted," he murmured.

"You should be," I answered. "You were being a barbarian."

"Can you…well...I guess you do blame me," he whispered.

"Yes, I do," I whispered back, my voice catching.

"Let me fix it," Paul suddenly begged. "Let me try again, Kayla please."

I clenched my fists, digging my nails into my skin. "I love you," I replied. "But I...I can't do this. I don't even know how to get it back. This relationship had been hard...we couldn't find what we needed...It's over, Paul. I won't try again. You are a second. Focus on your pack...you are good at it."

"Please don't," he growled painfully. "Don't turn me away."

"I won't ever turn you away. But I'm turning you down," I answered, looking at him. "I can't go through this again…and neither should you."

His eyes flared with anger. Anger that he had truly lost this, and that he could do nothing. I closed my eyes tightly when he growled again, unable to help the noise. When I opened them, he was taking deep breaths and trying to calm down.

"I'm sorry," I whispered.

Not saying a word, Paul turned and when I looked up again he was gone. Letting out a breath, I saw that my hands were shaking. After weeks of avoiding each other, or having moves made to fight, I had finally put an end to it. Done. Blinking several times, I almost choked on the wave of emotion that hit me. It was finally over. I wasn't sure if the tears that fell were tears of relief or despair. I barely heard the door open, so I jumped when someone touched me.

Turning around, I looked at Tyler who sighed gently. Reaching forward, he wiped the tears from my cheeks and pulled me into a hug. I latched onto him, and let him move me inside. Jacob was still there, waiting to make sure I was okay. Tyler pulled me onto the couch, and settled me against him.

"I got this one," Tyler rumbled. "Go tend to things in Forks. Let us know tomorrow."

"All right. Thank you, for tonight," Jake nodded.

My alpha touched my hair gently, before he was disappearing out the door. I didn't spend a lot of time crying this time around. After about a half hour, I let out a shuddering breath and relaxed. Feeling that I was done, Tyler got to his feet. He settled me on the couch and threw a blanket over me. He disappeared for a moment, and when he came back he was a wolf. Tyler was similar in color to Jacob, but darker. He had a graceful build, reminding me of Sam. A rumble left his chest, and he settled himself down right next to the couch. I fell asleep knowing that he'd keep watch if he had to.

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