Page 13 of The Last Ultimatum: Part 1

“And maybe in a few short weeks, I’ll agree to be alone with you, but certainly not until then.”

“Matil. . .”

My death glare seemed to stop him mid word.

“Tilly,” he corrected. “This is ridiculous.”

“Do you want to talk or not?”

“I’d like to be alone with my mate. . . to talk.”

The sly smirk on his face told me that talking wasn’t all he wanted to do.

I shivered in disgust.

How could Dad ask me to go through with this? I thought about my Tribe and the peace and security that would come from my sacrifice. I had to do it. There was simply no other option. Or at least none that I could see now. So I would play the game and wait for a way to escape this nightmare. First, I needed to learn all I could about my future mate.

“Well, come in and take a seat,” I offered, directing him to the sitting area in the corner of my room as far away from the bed as possible.

For even more assurance, Kayla plopped down on the bed, both chaperoning us and letting Aiden know there was no room for messing around. It made me feel safer to have her there.

Aiden cleared his throat. “I suppose I should formally introduce myself.”

“I know who you are, Aiden Campbell.”

“So my reputation precedes me.”

I snorted. “That’s hardly in your favor.”

“What? Not a good thing, yeah?”

“Yeah, nah.”

“I’d ask what I can do to change that, but I honestly don’t care.”

“What?”

“There is no reason for us to really know each other. You’ll have whatever you wish as my Tribe's she-Alpha. You’ll be required to give me an heir. Aside from that, as long as you remain discreet, you can do whatever the hell you like as long as you don’t embarrass me or my Pack.”

My jaw dropped and hung open, unable to formulate words.

“Oh, you’re serious,” I finally said.

“Of course I am. Neither of us should pretend this is a love match. It’s not. It never will be. Find your happiness elsewhere, just do it discreetly.”

“Is this what you told my sister as well?” I blurted out.

His jaw locked, and a darkness crossed his eyes.

“That’s none of your damn business.”

His reaction surprised me. Was he angry at my sister’s disappearance? There was no way she would have disappeared on purpose. Chloe may have been her best friend, but she wouldn’t cover something like this up just to help her get out of mating Aiden—would she?

“I forbid you to mention your sister in my presence again.”

His outburst was uncalled for.

“Too bad, arsehole. That’s her sister. She’ll talk about her whenever she wants,” Kayla yelled from across the room.

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