Page 34 of The Last Ultimatum: Part 1

“Tilly, it’s nice to see you again,” Michael said.

“Again?”

“Yes, we were in Campbell territory earlier today and met there.”

“Aw, yes. She is to be their next she-Alpha.”

There was a hardness to my father’s voice as he said it, like just maybe this wasn’t what he wanted either. I had to get the answers I needed, and soon. I had a true mate out there, and that changed everything. My biggest fear was that I’d lost him as quickly as I found him, and I wasn’t even sure why. It made me feel like nothing but a pawn in some game that I didn’t even understand.

“It’s been a long day. I think I’m going to call it a night.”

Mom hugged me, and I left them to talk with Delta. Too much weird had already happened and my dingo was mourning the loss of our true mate. It was a lot to process and had I stayed in Campbell territory much longer, I wasn’t sure I could have stopped myself from seeking him out and doing something potentially stupid. Though if I found out there wasn’t a very good reason why Dad was insisting I mate Aiden in Chelle’s place, I might just lose it.

“Do you want me to stay over tonight?” Kayla asked.

“No. I just want to be alone.”

“Okay. See you tomorrow then.”

I still hadn’t confided in her about my mate. The right time just hadn’t come up and honestly, I didn’t know how to talk about it. I knew what Kayla would say. “Live without regrets.” She’d encourage me to go after my true mate despite any repercussions it could cause between the Kings and Campbells.

Now that we were in a place we could talk, I didn’t know how to formulate the words or what to say to her.

“Hey, by the way, you may have noticed I was acting a little weird today. . .”

“Oh yeah, I met my true mate back in Campbell. . .”

“Kayla, funny story. . .”

“You aren’t going to believe this. . .”

No. It was all wrong. So I said nothing but, “Good night.”

Closing the door to my suite behind me made me instantly relax. It was like all the stress of the day had just melted away. I just wanted to crawl into bed and sleep for a month. Maybe I could convince my parents I was hibernating despite it being spring and the fact that dingoes don’t hibernate. It might still be worth a try.

I stripped out of my clothes and climbed into bed without even washing up for the night, and then I froze with the sudden realization that I was not alone.

When piercing blue eyes popped open and stared right at me, I started to scream. But when a strong arm wrapped around my waist, pulling me closer to him, only a small squeak escaped and my whole body relaxed for the first time since I left my mate’s embrace.

Things were happening that my brain couldn’t quite process.

“I know this is only a dream, but dammit, I’m going to show you exactly what should have happened today,” his gruff voice responded seconds before his lips crushed against mine.

This wasn’t the sweet, explorative kiss we’d shared earlier. This was a soul seeking, demanding kiss, begging to be returned.

I didn’t understand how he’d gotten here so quickly.

Maybe I was the one dreaming.

But if this was a dream, I never wanted to wake up.

He kissed me like I was the air he needed to breathe, and I kissed him back with every ounce of frustration I felt.

I should have been furious to find him in my bed, of all places.

I should have cried out for help.

I knew this wasn’t right, I knew I should have stopped it.

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