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"Then how?" she demands, her scent spiking with fury and hurt. "How exactly was it planned, Theo? Because from where I'm standing, it looks like three alphas decided they wanteda particular omega and arranged to trap her at a masquerade ball."

"We didn't trap you. We didn't even know for sure that you were…”

"That I was what?" She snaps.

I can't say it. Can't tell her that we suspected she was our mate, our destined omega, because that will only make this worse.

"That you were the one we've been looking for," I say instead.

"The one you've been looking for," she repeats, her voice dangerous. "Like I'm some kind of prize to be won?"

"No, Belle, it's not like that…”

"Then what is it like, Theo? Because it really seems like three alphas saw something they wanted and decided to take it."

"We haven't taken anything," I say firmly. "We've been hoping. We've been waiting for you to choose us."

"Choose you for what?"

"For everything," I say, and the honesty in my voice seems to surprise her. "For pack, for home, for the future we could build together."

She stares at me for a long moment, her breathing rapid and shallow. "You're insane. All of you. You think you can just decide I belong with you and arrange elaborate schemes to make it happen?"

"We think you might be our mate," I say quietly. "Our omega. And yes, we hoped that if you met us, if you spent time with us, you might feel the same connection we do."

"Your mate," she repeats, like the words don't make sense.

"Yes."

"Based on what? My scent? The way I react to you? Some biological imperative that says omegas and alphas are supposed to bond?"

“Everything about you feels like coming home. I've never wanted to protect someone the way I want to protect you. I spent three hours, and it felt more real than anything I've experienced in my entire life."

She's crying now, tears streaming down her face behind her mask. "You can't just decide that, Theo. You can't just pick someone and declare them your mate."

"We didn't pick you, Belle. We recognized you."

"Well, I don't recognize you," she says, backing away from me. "I thought I was going to a ball with my best friend, and I would have some fun. Instead, I find out I'm the guest of honor at my own kidnapping."

"Belle, please…”

"No," she says firmly. "No, I'm done. I'm going to find Adam, and we're leaving. Tonight. Right now."

"You can't just leave…”

"Watch me."

And before I can stop her, she's running again, her rose gold dress streaming behind her as she disappears around the corner toward the library.

I stand there for a moment, breathing in the lingering scent of her distress and fury, and realize that I've just made everything infinitely worse.

Marcus and Felix are going to kill me.

But more importantly, I've probably just lost our omega forever.

22

BELLE