Page 46 of The Last Ultimatum: Part 1

“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?

Lachlan

Chapter 13

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.”

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