He Will Be Mine

Chapter 48: Unexpected

*** Tyler's POV ***

I suppose it's a bit strange, but I breathe a sigh of relief when we finally turn onto the dirt path that winds through the quaint little residences on the way to Aly's house. We're home, and every bit of me is beyond happy to be back. Now knowing the things I do, I can't help wondering if it's because my biological father is a werewolf and his family is from around here, though something tells me it has more to do with this being Aly's home and as cheesy as it sounds, Aly is my home.

We get back just as her dad should be finishing morning drills with the warriors. My entire body has been craving the release of a workout, so after Aly parks the car, I turn to her with my best pouty face to beg her to come with me to join her dad out back. She takes one look at me and busts up laughing.

"Go," she dismisses me, waving her hand vaguely toward the training area. "Matt and I will take care of all our stuff."

That works too, I suppose. I'm not sure if Matt has reached that point where working out is as therapeutic for him as it has become for me, and I don't want to steal her away from him just yet. I give her a peck on the lips and dash out the back door of the garage, headed toward her dad.

I ditch my jeans, leaving just the shorts I was wearing under, and pull off my overshirt as I make my way to the training grounds. Boom. Workout ready. I work on getting my legs and arms stretched and warmed up, not wanting a stitch or a cramp as a reward for jumping into things too hastily and knowing that everyone else is already warmed up so I won't get another opportunity.

Mr. Bentley is pouring himself a water at the cooler when I make my way to him, tossing my clothes on the ground nearby.

"Tyler," he says, seeming surprised. "I thought you guys weren't coming back for a couple more days?"

"Aly didn't call or text or anything?" I ask, just as surprised as he is because she is usually so good about keeping in touch with her parents.

"Nope, haven't heard anything since Christmas morning. Why? What happened?"

I forcefully exhale a breath, wondering how to summarize things so I can get right in on the action sooner.

"Uh, so, I don't know if you heard Matt's story about his werewolf uncle?"

His raised eyebrow tells me he hasn't. Crap. This probably isn't going to be a quick chat.

"Okay, so, long story short – he has a lot of family secrets. It turns out they're also my family secrets because, like, we're brothers. Twins, I guess. Anyway, I kind of just want to go run and beat on things for a bit, so, we can chat about it later?"

He looks stunned, reaching up to drag his hand over his face and just staring back at me. But to my relief, he just nods and agrees.

"Yeah, okay. You're with me, though. Everyone else is already busy, and they'll probably be done soon. Get yourself some water and then meet me over here." He points to an area maybe ten yards from us.

I nod, making my way to the cooler and doing as he said. When I join him, I quickly realize that there's an ulterior motive to volunteering to work out with me.

"Twins, huh?" he asks, tossing me one of those wicked bo staffs Elder Benjamin introduced me to.

I'm already excited because I've been dying to do this again. Then his question registers with my brain.

"Uh, yeah. So, apparently the Elders called in Matt's grandpa to get some information from him about the family history," I start to explain, bringing my staff up to block the move he tries on me.