Tilly

Tilly

“We’rehere,”Jacksonsaid, as we pulled into a large country estate.

“Where’s here?” I asked, my eyes flitting around the vast grounds of the landscaped gardens and towards the forest at the rear. I looked everywhere as we drove up the driveway. My gaze landing on the large manor house. It was like my cousin Blair’s childhood home with its vast grounds and fancy house.

I chewed the inside of my cheek as I slowly turned to Jackson.

“It’ll be fine,” he said.

It didn’t feel fine. I was suddenly aware I was in this strange place. And I hoped to get my answers, but as I glanced at Cruz and Luca, I also hoped this wouldn’t backfire.

Luca wrapped his arm around me and pulled me close. “It’s going to be hard on you. But you will get your answers.”

The car door opened, and Jackson appeared, holding his hand out to me and took it. He held my head with his free hand as I departed the car. This was Jackson. Caring and thoughtful. I knew he was my mate. My caring and loving alpha. I’d never have guessed how wonderful he could be from that first meeting.

I wrapped my arms around his chest.

“Am I going to be okay?” I whispered.

“You are, I promise.” He smiled and pressed his lips to my head, making my heart flutter.

We strolled across the gravel car driveway to the house ahead. My stomach grumbled, but the smell of a barbecue didn’t make me yearn for food. It made me nauseous.

Cruz opened the door to the house. A lady ran to him and gave him a hug. She then hugged Luca and then Jackson before she turned her attention to me.

“Tilly,” she said, taking my hands in hers. “I’m Ursula, I’m Cruz and Saint’s mum. It’s so lovely to meet you at last.”

“Thank you, it’s lovely to meet you too,” I replied.

“I’m looking forward to get to know you, but I know today is not the day and I don’t want to take up your time,” she said. She turned to Cruz and nodded.

Cruz took my hand, and I let him. My anxiety levels were rising at what I was going to be told. Was I walking into a trap? Had I sealed my fate with my desperate urge to find answers? Regardless, there was nothing left for me to do but trust them.

We walked across the garden to a cottage. When we reached the doorway, I inhaled deeply to calm my racing heart.

Cruz knocked twice.

The door opened.

I stopped and stared, not sure if I was dreaming. I reached my hand out and touched her, but I could no longer see her for the tears that filled my eyes.

She was real.

“Mum,” I sobbed, throwing myself into her open arms as tears stormed down my face. “You’re alive... Is Georgie here?” My eyes looked over her shoulder as I searched for my sister.

She held me back, stared into my eyes, and shook her head. Tears laced her perfect green eyes. “You’ve grown into a beautiful woman,” she said, holding me at arm’s length with her hands on my biceps. “I’ve been getting regular updates, but nothing is as good as seeing you for myself.”

“Have you?” I turned to Cruz and smiled. I glanced around the cottage once more. “Where is Georgie? You left together.”

Mum shook her head and led me inside the cottage. “I’ve got a lot to tell you.”

I had so many questions, but the most important one came first. “Is Georgie alive?”

She nodded. “We think so.”

I swallowed, feeling dizzy. “Think?”

“Can we start at the beginning Tilly? It will make more sense.”

I nodded. Everyone took a seat. Jackson sat on my left, his arm slung over my shoulder. Luca sat on my right and put his hand on my lower back, lifting my top and stroking my skin.

“Was it because of your work on the suppressants? Oh, I know what the suppressant is missing,” I blurted. Jackson growled, and I turned and smiled. “I don’t need it anymore, but many omegas do.”

“And we are going to help those girls,” Luca said.

I squeezed his hand and smiled. “I’ve found my pack, my alphas, but if I didn’t suppress my real self, then a pack didn’t belong to me could have claimed me.”

“It would never have happened,” Cruz said.

“What’s the ingredient Tilly?” Jackson asked. “If we can do any good in this world, we will.”

“It alcohol,” I said and Mum laughed. “When I met Jackson that night, I had a drink. I couldn’t smell him, at least not very well. Could you smell me?” I asked as I turned to Jackson.

He nodded. “Not very well, not like now. I knew who you were, so wasn’t seeking an omega perfume.”

“I think alcohol with the suppressant deadens the alpha scent to the omega and her perfume. I added pure alcohol to the suppressant, but it made it stop working altogether. There must be a sweet spot.”

“Interesting.” Mum said and sighed. “But the men weren’t there because of the suppressant.”

“Okay,” I whispered.

“You know your father wasn’t a good man. He was being paid to locate omegas for high-profile men. He would have them kidnapped and scurried off regardless of the family left behind to mourn the loss.”

I gasped. “Dad did that to other omegas?” I thought it was only Georgie and me he was flaunting, not other omegas.

Mum nodded. “I hated him. Hated what he did to omegas. That was why I created the suppressant. I had to protect omegas from evil alphas. I vowed my daughters would never go through the same as I did with a lack luster alpha. That’s why I taught you to not get too focussed on tactile things.”

“You’re not making sense, Mum.” I whispered. Afraid of what was coming next.

“Your father sold Georgie to three Italian brothers.”

“Sold her...” My voice lowered as it trailed away. I knew my father wasn’t a good man, but selling his daughter was low, even for him.

“That is what he did Tilly, sourced and sold, sometimes stole omegas for his rich clients. Why do you think your father was always gloating about you and your sister?”

“I thought he was proud of us.” My voice lowered, and I dropped my gaze and stared at the floor as shivers ran through my body. “Did you know?”

“Not at first. I’m an omega, not privileged to be given that information.”

“And the men that night, were they the Italians?”

She shrugged her shoulder. “Your father betrayed them. A Middle Eastern man offered him more money for Georgie. I overheard him on the phone.”

“He sold his own daughter to them and reneged on the deal,” I whispered.

Mum nodded. “And he increased the price for you.”