Chapter 13

Lachlan

I knocked on the door to his office and waited for the Alpha to invite me in.

My dingo was already on high alert and struggling to be even this far apart from my mate. I had to pull it together. I didn't need him seeing a desperate, irrational, mating male. Instead, I needed to show myself as a concerned, capable man with a plan to protect his daughter.

"Come in."

My hand was sweaty as I turned the knob and walked inside, shutting the door behind me.

"Yes?"

"Hello sir, I'm Lachlan from Westin Force Delta."

"Yes, I remember. The mating male loose in my territory, yeah? I just finished being briefed by Michael. Do I need to worry about you causing trouble here?"

"No sir. I was just upset about being forcibly removed from Campbell. I've calmed down and I'm okay. You have nothing to worry about."

And there was no way in hell I was about to explain to him that I was mating his daughter. That was a conversation for another day. All that mattered right now was getting his approval for me to take her away where I knew she'd be safe.

"Is there something else that needs to be said?"

"Yes, sir. Did he tell you about the threats against your Tribe?"

"He did. I'm expecting my security team to arrive any second to go over tougher procedures to avoid any of these issues."

"I'm not certain that will be enough, sir."

"What do you know?"

"I know that these humans take their collections very seriously. Now I don't know why they have chosen to single out the dingoes, but their claim of shifter extinction for our kind is not something to take lightly."

"Michael thought as much too."

"I also know that with the disappearance of your eldest daughter comes a predicament that could harm the alliance you're attempting to form with the Campbell Tribe."

"It should not be an issue. My younger daughter, Matilda, knows her place and the expectations necessary to make this alliance happen."

I wasn't certain she did, but after our talk she certainly knew more of it.

"I think we would both agree that it is imperative to therefore keep Matilda safe."

I knew by her reaction to the name that she much preferred to go by Tilly, but I thought it best not to let on that I knew that.

"You have a plan?"

I smiled confidently. "I do."

"When I discussed sending her away with Michael he alluded to the fact that there was most likely nowhere safe for her to go short of sending her out of the country."

"Sydney," I said.

"What?"

"With all due respect, Alpha, Michael is not from Australia and does not know the territory well enough to provide for her safety."

"But you do?"

"I do—in Sydney."

"That may be tricky since the Sydney Tribe claims nearly all of the city."

"I'm aware."

"Then you're also aware that we haven't exactly been on the best of terms. I'm not sure the Alpha would agree to that."

"Leave that part up to me, sir. I assure you I not only can get it cleared, but also know the perfect place to house her in the meantime. She'd be with a good host family and all her needs provided for. I would personally guarantee her safety and the utmost secrecy. No one would know where to find her. She would be as safe as any fortress. Safer even."

"Would you share her location with me?"

"The less people who know the better. If you insisted on it, then of course, but that would be a burden you'd have to carry should the attacks come to King territory."

He seemed to consider that for a moment.

"No, you're right. But I'm holding you personally responsible for her safety."

"Of course, sir."

He nodded. "How soon can you make this happen?"

"I can put in the necessary calls and have her out of her before sunrise."

"Do it. That will give me great peace of mind through these difficult times. I will send word to the Campbells that I have placed her in hiding until this mess blows over. They won't be thrilled about it, but I think given the situation they will understand."

I shook his hand and left just as his security team arrived.

The second I was back in the hallway, I pulled out my phone and made the necessary calls to my former Alpha. After explaining the situation and why I thought Sydney would be safer. He readily agreed and said he would call Danner and personally give his invitation for Tilly to stay in his territory for as long as necessary.

"He doesn't know about the mating part. Can I trust you to keep that between us?"

He chuckled. "Sure thing. I can see why you'd choose not to explain your true ulterior motives on this."

"Thanks. I really appreciate this."

After hanging up the phone, I practically skipped to the family wing, ready to see my girl and update her on the situation. But as I neared her room, I could hear her sobbing. It struck me like a knife slicing open my chest.

I practically tore down her door with the urgency to get to her.

Inside her room, I looked around for any signs of threat.

She jumped and dabbed at her eyes when I burst inside.

"What's wrong?" I demanded.

"What? Nothing."

"But you're crying."

She sniffled. "Sorry. I had to say goodbye to Kayla tonight."

"She's not coming with you?"

"Did you ask for her?"

"No. I told you I'd tackle that next once I knew for sure you'd be cleared to leave."

"Am I?"

"Yes."

I knew I still needed to explain things to Michael and get approval to fly her out of here, but otherwise everything was falling into place nicely.

I didn't dare call and inform her hosts of our incoming arrival. It was too dangerous. No trail would be left. I would make damn sure of that.

"Wow. You work fast."

"Do you want me to see about Kayla?"

"No. She has her own priorities right now."

"And how do you feel about that?" I asked her on instinct.

She gave me a funny look and snorted. "You sound like our Tribal shrink."

I cringed. I hated being referred to as a shrink. It belittled my career. Still, I didn't correct her. I just grinned and bared it. There would be time discuss such things later.

"Are you okay?"

She nodded.

I couldn't stop myself. I walked over and wrapped her up in my arms.

"You're going to have to break this habit, you know."

"Maybe."

"Did you explain this part to my dad?"

"Hell no."

She giggled. "Didn't think so."

"I need to take care of one more thing. Would it be okay if I had Michael join us here?"

"I guess that would be okay."

I took out my phone and called. Within five minutes he was knocking on Tilly's door.

"So we were right then. This is your mate?"

"She is."

"And you're fully aware of the shit-storm it could cause if anyone catches the two of you together?"

"Fully aware."

"So what's this about then?"

"I need your permission to take the plane tonight, before sunrise."

"Why would I do that?"

"Because I have to get Tilly out of here."

He sighed. "Trust me when I tell you this. Kidnapping her is only going to cause more harm than good."

I sniggered. "You would be the expert on that."

"Did you really kidnap your mate?"

"He told you about that?"

"Enough."

Michael groaned. "Yes, I did."

"And she stayed with you anyway?"

"Yes. We are now happily mated with two kids off to college."

"Wow. Good on you."

"Thanks. Now what's all this really about."

"We have to stop these Collectors, Michael, but I can't do that unless I know for damn sure Tilly is safe. With the threat to the Tribes, that means getting her out of here. I've already made the arrangements. I just need to borrow the plane."

"What arrangements?"

I told him about my meeting with Danner and the approval to move her to Sydney. Beyond that, only a few people would ever know.

"When is she due to move?"

I checked my watch and frowned. "As soon as possible. Her father and I would both prefer it under the cover of darkness, so before sunrise."

He turned his back on us and took out his phone.

"Fuel up the plane. I'll give you the details when we arrive."

"What else do you need?"

"That's it."

"I'm meeting with Tribe security at seven. I assume you'll be long gone by then."

I nodded.

"You're going to have to be on your own. Being one man down will likely go unnoticed. More than that and people could start asking questions."

"Understood."

"Lachlan?"

"Yeah?"

"Don't do anything stupid."

"I'll try not to, but the legacy of Delta and mating is not in my favor."

He laughed and shook his head. "No it is not."