Chapter 12

Tilly

I was pacing back and forth in my room after Lachlan left.

This was crazy!

My father would never agree to such a thing.

Could he actually find my sister?

If he did, would it be in time?

So many questions were running through my mind.

I needed to talk this out with someone logical who could remain calm and not overreact. That was definitely not Kayla. I picked up my phone and called her anyway.

"Hey," she answered in a sleepy voice.

"Hey. Can you come over? We need to talk. I need to talk," I clarified.

"Till, I thought you said you wanted to be alone tonight."

"But I wasn't alone and I'm trying not to freak out."

"What?" she asked.

"I'll explain when you get here."

"On my way now."

I got dressed and resumed my pacing while I waited.

In record time, I heard a curse followed by a loud crash and then a, "I'm okay," from the hallway.

Smiling to myself, I waited.

Two knocks sounded at the door and then Kayla opened it and let herself in, careful to lock it behind her.

She frantically looked around the room as if she expected someone or something to jump out and scare her at any second.

"He's gone," I assured her.

"He? What the hell is going on, Matilda Rose?"

"Stop saying that, you sound like my mother."

"Your scary mother, so that's appropriate."

"Why? Are you trying to scare me?"

"Don't be absurd. Just spill it. Why did you call me in the middle of the night to come over here?"

"It's not that late, "I argued, then took a deep breath. "Sorry. I do need to talk."

"So talk."

"Okay, so you know back in Campbell when we got separated?"

"Yeah. . ."

"I sorta met someone."

"Okay, and. . ."

"He's my true mate."

Her eyes grew so large I thought they may just pop right out of their sockets.

"You did what?"

"Calm down and don't talk so loud."

"There's no one else in this wing to hear us."

"I know, I just need this to be kept quiet. A secret."

"So you won't be mating Aiden then, right? Right, Tilly?" she asked when I didn't respond right away.

"I don't know."

"You said you weren't alone here. Did that stalker follow you back here?"

"Sorta, but it's not like that at all."

"Then what the hell is it like?"

"He's my true mate."

"You said that already, but who the hell is he?"

"He's a member of Westin Force Delta. They're here helping my father."

"I know. We met then in Campbell. They came in to help with the search for Chelle."

"Yeah. I know."

She nodded as I waited for it to sink in.

Kayla gasped. "One of those fellas is your mate?"

"Apparently."

"Tilly, that's like hitting the jackpot. Every single one of them is hot!"

"I guess."

"Don't tell me you aren't attracted to your one true mate."

I rolled my eyes. "He's the sexiest man I've ever met. I can't even describe how he makes me feel. And he makes my toes curl with just a kiss, Kayla."

She squealed. "I have never heard you talk like this before about a guy."

"He's not just any guy. He's the guy."

"So are you going to drop Aiden for this guy? I mean what do we even know about him? I mean, ew, it's Aiden Campbell, but he can make you a she-Alpha. He's rich and well respected. And it really seems like your dad is trying to make an alliance with the Campbells now."

"What are you saying? You're suddenly okay with Aiden? Kayla, listen to yourself."

"No. Oh no, that's not what I'm saying at all. I'm just saying that we know the evil that is Aiden Campbell and what you would be getting out of mating him."

"Besides a lifetime of misery?"

"Besides that. But what does this guy offer? Do you even know his name."

"Lachlan," I said with a sigh.

Just saying his name aloud felt so right.

"Oh my God. You're practically glowing. I've never seen you like this."

"I've never felt like this."

She considered that for a moment. "Lachlan? Till, I don't remember meeting a Lachlan. You know how good I am with names. There was Michael, Colin, Tucker, Linc, and Walker."

"He wasn't with them when we met them."

She shrugged. "I'm just saying, we met Delta, and he wasn't one of them. Are you sure he said Delta?"

"Of course I'm sure."

"What else do you know about him, besides how handsome he is and how good he can kiss?"

I blushed and shrugged. "He's a dingo from Sydney and he wants me to go into hiding until Chelle's found."

"He has a lead on Chelle?"

"Maybe. It sounds like a serious one. I don't know if I'm supposed to talk about it."

"That never includes me, spill it."

So I did. I told her everything I could remember about the Collectors, Chelle's disappearance, and the threat to dingo Tribes in the area.

"Wow, I can't believe the Collectors are really here. We've heard the rumors, but I can't believe it might be real. And seriously, a mating male with so many threats against you? Add Aiden to that list and this guy must be losing his shit. Where is he now?"

"Talking to my dad."

"Is that a good idea?"

"I don't know. I don't know anything right now, Kay."

She hugged me. "It's going to be okay, Tilly. Everything will work out one way or another."

"I guess you're right about that. One way or another."

"This is a lot."

"I know. And he wants to protect me, but I'm not going to go without you."

She shook her head. "I can't go with you."

"What? Why? We've always done everything together and now you're going to abandon me?"

"It's not like that. Your father made an exception for me to travel with you to Campbell because he knew you were upset. But all the scapegoats and trackers have been sent out to search for your sister. I have to leave in the morning to join them."

"No."

"Yes. Tilly, it's my job."

"No. I can't do this alone. Kay, I don't know anything about being in the city. I've only visited a few times and hated every second of it."

"He wants to hide you in the city?"

I nodded. "I'm scared, Kayla."

"Then don't go."

"I think I have to. Come with me."

"I don't think I can."

"If I speak with my dad and he says okay?"

"In the end, I always do what the Alpha tells me. You know that. But when I talked to him this evening he said to join the others in the field. So that's the plan first thing in the morning."

"Then I guess I'll have to talk to him tonight."

"Don't."

"What?"

She sighed. "Tilly, I get enough shit from people just because we're friends. If you pull me off of this, I'll never live it down."

"Do you even hear yourself? Since when do you care what other people think?"

"I care. I just don't often show it."

"I'm not ready to do this life thing without you."

"I'm only a phone call away."

She hugged me.

"It's not safe out there right now."

"I know, but this is what I was born to do."

"Really? I thought you were born to take care of me."

I could feel her laughter wrack her whole body.

"You're going to be okay."

I nodded, but hugged her tighter.

"Be careful."

"Who me? Always."

"Kayla, I'm serious. Be careful. There are people out to get us all."

"I'll be careful."

"Is this it then?"

"For now. I'll be heading out at first light."

"I'm going to miss you so much."

"I'll miss you too, but at least I'll know you're safe."

"While I get to just sit around worrying myself sick about you. That's not fair."

"No one ever said life was fair."

"I love you."

"I love you, too."

After one more embrace, she left me alone in my room. I'd never felt so defeated as I flopped down onto my bed and cried. I knew we weren't kids anymore. We'd grown up a long time ago, and yet somehow saying goodbye to Kayla felt like the end of my youth. What was I going to do without her?