Page 6 of The Last Ultimatum: Part 1

No, my sister would never do that. She was all about honor and commitment. But what about love and romance? Those were the things I longed for, a true mate, and it’s all I’ve ever hoped for her as well. But Chelle? I supposed I didn't really know, only assumed she felt the same.

“Hush your mouth. Michelle would never do such a thing.”

Mostly, I agreed with that. But if given such a dire ultimatum, would she? Mate Aiden Campbell or fabricate your own trapping? I knew which one I’d go for.

“Listen to me. This is serious. We need this alliance, Matilda. Our livelihood here may depend on it. Your sister understood this.”

“What are you trying to say Dad?”

“The mating must go through. If Michelle does not return to us in the next three weeks, then you will have to step up in her place.”

I froze. He couldn’t be serious. Me? I wasn’t even a firstborn. It wasn’t my responsibility and there was no way I could be she-Alpha.

I shook my head, but then stopped when I saw the look of distress in my father’s eyes. There was almost a desperation there.

What had happened? What wasn't he telling me?

“This has to happen, Tilly. I’m not asking you. I’m telling you.”

“You think she ran away?” I whispered.

His shoulders sagged and he looked almost broken. I'd never seen him like this before and it terrified me.

“I don't know. I don't know what to think right now.”

I hugged him.

“It's going to be okay. Chelle will come back.”She has too,I thought but didn’t add.

“Tilly, listen to me. I know this isn't what you want, but you have to trust me on this. Can you do that?”

I wasn't sure I could, but he looked so frantic, that I found myself nodding instead of telling him no.

He hugged me.

“That's a good girl.”

“What about Chelle?”

“I have every scapegoat available, and half the rest of the Tribe has voluntarily gone out to search as well. If she's still in the area, we'll find her.”

But, he didn't sound as certain as I needed him to.

“I should help.”

“No. You're too valuable to us right now. I need you to stay here. Aiden and his men will keep you safe.”

I couldn't believe what he was saying. Outsiders guarding me in our territory? It made no sense.

“He's to be your mate, Tilly. You’ll have to learn to trust him.”

There was so much he wasn't saying. I needed more to understand why I was agreeing to any of this. But a commotion outside my door broke the weight of his words and stopped our conversation.

“I don’t know who you think you are, but if you think for one second I’m scared of you or that you’re going to keep me from my best friend, then you have another thing coming. You wanna piece of me?”

Dad sighed. “I’ll leave you be. But Matilda, our Tribe is now counting on you.”

Before I could formulate any words to even respond, he got up and walked out of my room.

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