Chapter 17

Tilly

For the first time since all of this began I finally got the chance to call home.

“Mom? It’s me, Tilly.”

“Tilly? Oh thank the Lord. Tilly’s alive!”

It broke my heart that they would even think otherwise, but given the dingo situation I supposed it was inevitable.

“I’m fine Mom. How are things at home?”

“I have no idea. We all went into hiding when reports came in that some of the Tribes went missing.”

“Oh thank God. I’m so glad to hear that. So everyone is okay?”

“There’s still been no word from your sister but otherwise we’re all accounted for now. Kayla ran into some trouble and was taken, but she fought them off and made it back to us just before we left.”

“But Kayla’s okay?”

“She’s fine.”

Chelle walked out of the room and I waved her over.

“I have a surprise for you.”

“Who is it?” Chelle asked.

“Mom.”

“Mom?”

“Chelle?

“Yeah, Mom, it’s me.”

“Michelle’s alive too!” she announced and even I could hear the cheers that went up around her. “How? When?”

“Lachlan rescued me.”

“Lachlan? The dingo from Westin Force?”

“Yes. Tilly’s mate.”

“Excuse me?”

“Lachlan, Tilly’s mate. I didn’t stutter.”

I shook my head and tried to stop her, even knowing it was too late.

“No. Tilly is going to mate Aiden Campbell on the full moon in just a few days. It’s all been arranged.”

“Wrong. I was the one that’s supposed to mate Aiden, remember? Tilly has a true mate, Mom. And besides, it’s too late anyway. They’ve already sealed their bond.”

I hid my face in my hands.

This was not how I planned to break the news to them.

“No. She wouldn’t. She knows her place.”

“Mom, I’m here. I’m alive. I’m ready to fulfill my role.”

“But we’ve already informed the Campbells that they’ll be getting Tilly instead.”

“Then uninform them. It’s me or nothing. She’s taken.”

“We’ll see. I’ll call you back.”

She hung up and Chelle threw her arms in the air.

“This is ridiculous. Do you have Aiden’s number?”

“No. Why would I?”

“Because apparently you’re about to mate him.”

“They can’t be serious. Because that’s not happening.”

“That’s what I said.”

Lachlan made some calls and got Aiden’s personal number.

Chelle dialed it and waited.

“Aiden?”

“Yes, who’s this?”

“Chelle, your future mate.”

“You’re alive? We were told you’ve been captured. I’m supposed to mate your baby sister now.”

“And you agreed to that?”

“You ran away while I was on my way to see you. What was I supposed to think?”

He sounded hurt. That seemed weird to me. Or maybe it was just because I was eavesdropping.

“Babe, relax. What’s done is done. It’ll all work out.”

Lachlan rubbed my shoulders.

“Something you should know about me. I hate disappointing people.”

“Is it okay if Aiden comes here?”

“It’s fine. We’ll likely be here a few more days to make sure everything’s in order and the threats have been neutralized.”

“What about Helen? She’s still on the loose.”

“There are teams out looking for her now. That’s the best we can do.”

“Okay, he’s on his way. He’s only staying a few blocks down actually. When they heard about what went down here last night, they were trying to head back home but the hotel wouldn’t credit their prepaid nights.”

She sat down on the couch looking more frazzled than ever.

“Are you okay, Chelle? If you don’t want to mate him, you don’t have to. I don’t care what Mom and Dad say. You have to do what’s best for you. It took me almost losing everything to realize that.”

“I get it. But I’m not like you. I know how important this merger is.”

“Listen to yourself. This isn’t a merger. This is your life.”

“We’ve always given you more choices than I had. And honestly I could do a lot worst than Aiden.”

I wasn’t sure about that, but I wasn’t going to mention it.

“I should go and get ready.”

She disappeared and before she returned, Aiden arrived.

“I’ll get it,” Lachlan said.

“Behave,” I warned him.

Much to my surprise, he did.

“Come on in. I’m Lachlan.”

“Aiden.”

The two of them shook hands.

To me he just nodded his head. I supposed it was better than not acknowledging me at all.

“Chelle, Aiden’s here.”

She walked out of her room in a pretty flower dress. I had no idea where she’d gotten it from. Maybe she’d borrowed it from Taylor.

She stood there frozen as the two of them just stared at each other. Both their jaws went slack.

“Chelle,” he said almost reverently. “You look lovely.”

I made of face of confusion and looked to Lachlan for answers. He just shrugged.

My sister started hyperventilate.

“You were seriously going to take my sister as a mate?”

Tears moistened her eyes.

He stepped forward and pulled her into his arms.

“I didn’t know. How could I? I’m so sorry.”

“Uh, what the hell is going on?”

“True mates. Aren’t you?”

“Yes,” Chelle admitted.

“You’re serious?”

They both nodded as they continued to stare at each other.

“Um, wow. So I guess now would be a good time to tell you that Lachlan is my true mate and we’ve already sealed our bond, so you can’t actually have me anyway.”

My mate pulled me into his arms and kissed me.

“See. I told you everything would work itself out.”