Mated by Twilight (True Match)

Chapter 48

Tillos

This was crazy. They were actors , not peacekeepers.

Yet, here they were, running through the station, aiming for one of the security offices. Skara hadn’t been at the exit tunnel of the Star, so maybe she had already started sniffing around for Leah. Except she wasn’t a peacekeeper either.

Despite that, they couldn’t be denied the right to search for their mate. Utilizing any tool they could to do so, including other people.

The need to find her beat at them. It wasn’t a matter of just being separated. It was knowing that she’d been taken against her will.

The security team had already been alerted to their arrival before they got there. Corvidair had messaged them, and it was hard to mistake the two purple avanava males sprinting through the station as anything else.

It was there that they got new information.

The station also had security cameras, and they were of very good quality. They were capable of getting a full view in all directions and recorded with such high detail that they were able to zoom in and recognize Biella even halfway across the station.

The pink female emerged from the docking bay in a rush. Leah had slid down in her arms and her head was lolled back, eyes closed, limbs limp out at her side. Biella surprised a family of five when she came bursting out of the entrance. They inquired something but Biella only smiled, saying something in return as she hoisted Leah up.

Though there was no sound – the video was superb, but that’s all it was – Tillos could practically hear the conversation. The family of furry, four-armed folk asking if she was alright. Biella assuring them that they both were. Trying to laugh it off. Probably saying that her friend had just been inebriated or tired or something. By the look on the rootavin family’s faces, they didn't quite believe her.

But before they could pursue it, Biella had Leah re-situated, her head and one arm over her shoulder, and she was quickly walking away, holding her tight like she was a sleeping youngling.

The security team sped through the video, tracking her as she tried to stay against the walls, out of sight, not drawing too much attention to herself. She did really well. She often ducked into service areas, out of sight of the camera, forcing them to search for her again.

Wasting more time, he thought, annoyed.

Sollit’s gentle touch on his arm, a rush of artificial calm from his brother, kept him from fidgeting or snapping because of his nerves. He knew that the security team was doing their best, but it just wasn’t good enough. Because Leah wasn’t back in their arms yet.

“There!” Tillos pointed, finding the missing Biella again. It was unnerving how good she was at sneaking around, out of sight. Like she had practice with it.

Tillos almost didn't spot her at all. The flash of pink on the display was brief, but he knew that sparkling gold, pink hide very well.

Biella had taken Leah into a small hotel at the very edge of the station. It was far from any of the attractions in the park and looked like it had seen better days. Tillos wouldn’t have trusted it enough to bring his mate there. Biella, who spent all her credz on their shows, their fan items, and traveling after their troupe, probably couldn’t afford anything better.

“Look!” Sollit pointed as well.

Tillos frowned. Was that not Biella’s final destination? Had she snuck out of there as well?

But no. A flash of green this time. It was Skara, sniffing carefully at the air. She was still trailing behind Biella, but she was catching up.

And they were back to the live feed, the playback speed suddenly returning to normal.

“Come on,” Tillos tugged at Sollit’s shoulder.

The security team said something, trying to call them back. Trying to convince them not to go and let them handle it.

But they were already out the door and running in the direction Biella had gone. Skara might be able to get there before them, but they didn't know for sure, and they weren’t leaving it up to chance. Even the slightest delay was too long.

Hold on, he begged her silently. Just hang on a bit longer.