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“I seriously wish everyone would stop telling me to calm down. It just pisses me off even more.” She hissed at her cousin.

“It’ll be fine.”

“It’s a party. We need music!”

“I’ll go get your iPod. It has a docking station. I can hot wire it into the speakers. We’ll be golden.” He ran off into the house, leaving her to stand there and watch as everything, once again, went to shit.

“What else can possibly go wrong?”

“Hey, blondie.” Jackson came up beside her with Christoph hot on his heels. “Your white knights are here.”

Fucking perfect timing.If everyone hadn’t been watching her, she’d run screaming and crying from the yard. Instead, she stood tall—or tried to with her petite five-foot-four frame—and lifted her head proudly, walking towards her mates who hadn’t mated her yet. “I’m so happy you’re here.”

Bell trembled in his arms.He wasn’t sure if she was about to cry or scream. Either way, it wasn’t good for him or Christoph. They’d arrived just in time to hear the children the songs emanating from the backyard, and he automatically knew who it was. He wrapped her in his arms, holding her close. He didn’t need to say anything. Right now, she just needed his shoulder. He could give it to her.

“Here come her bodyguards. Everyone stay out of the way.” The obnoxious tone of the half-wit Laney’s voice rankled Jackson’s nerves. Never mind her garish laughter. It reminded him of fingernails on a chalkboard. The girl didn’t know when to shut up and admit defeat. The little —

Don’t say it. Don’t drop to her level. Bell needs you.

The scent of Bell’s upset twined with frustration, and humiliation tasted bitter on his tongue. Blowing fire on all of those who hurt Bell would only destroy her home, and he couldn’t do that, either. He pushed his way through the crowd in the yard, accompanied by Christoph as he tucked Bell into his side. He’d been wrong to think, even for a millisecond, people would show a little respect for the Alpha lion.

“How much you want to bet she called them crying.” Reagan joined in with Laney’s taunting.

“I bet the sex is horrible. She’s cold fish, I tell you. How could she ever be mated to those two?” Laney muttered.

Jackson clenched his fists, trying desperately to rein in his rage. Bell needed him and Christoph. He’d deal with the little bitches later. He came to a halt in front of Hayden with Bell at his side. Both of them appeared worst for wear. “Hey, blondie.” He rubbed her arm, trying to draw her attention away from the empty DJ station and the drink table. The second her gaze locked with his, the wave of relief wrought with embarrassment mule kicked him. “Looks like you could use a little help.”

She sagged in his hold. In the next second, Christoph was there to catch her. “I’m screwed. Ruined even. There’s not enough food or too many people. The music is messed up because someone or something locked Bodhi’s laptop, and the coup de grâce—someone put alcohol in the punch after I specifically said no booze.”

“Breathe.” Jackson took her hands in his and gave them a squeeze. “The music is simple.” He glanced at Christoph, who’d already headed for Bodhi. “The drinks, not so much. Might want to announce it’s been spiked, and everyone is drinking at their own risk.”

“What if someone gets hurt, or worse… You know?” She grimaced, and he understood what she’d been talking about.Raped. Bell would never forgive herself if something happened to anyone, male or female, at her party.

“Better to tell them than be accused of doing it on purpose later. We’ll have to stay vigilant.” He saw something in her sky-blue eyes he’d never seen before. Sure, she was shy and quite proper, but this, the far away quality like she was remembering a time she hadn’t enjoyed, bothered him.

She blew out a breath and gave a quick nod. “You’re right. Make the best of this. My dad wouldn’t allow me to throw a pity party at home. I can’t pull one here.” She marched to where Bodhi and Christoph worked to change out the laptop for his phone and the stereo station.

“This will give you about fifteen minutes to figure out why your laptop locked up and if you can get it going again.” Christoph clicked the jack in place on his phone.

“Wait.” She stopped him from pressing play. “I need to make an announcement.”

“Sure thing.” Christoph leaned in and nuzzled her. “You’re looking amazing tonight, kitten.” He placed a kiss on her neck. “I can’t wait for a little alone time later.”

Shit. Why hadn’t he thought to do the same? Jackson mentally slapped himself. He’d been so busy trying to keep her calm he hadn’t even noticed her beautiful appearance. She wore a white pleated linen tennis skirt. A powder-blue button-down shirt, and, like always, a white cardigan sweater lay draped over her shoulders. Her blue eyes sparkled at Christoph’s compliment. If he said anything, he’d be glomming onto the lion’s affections.

Later, he’d say something.

If he got the chance.

“Thanks.” She kissed his cheek. “Both of you are the best.”

Bodhi handed her a mic. “You’re on.”

Jackson and Christoph stuck close to her side while she stood before the crowd. When she told him what she’d planned to do, he’d been supportive. However, when he found out about the invitation debacle, well, he wanted to kill whoever had harmed his mate. Thankfully, the school had already taken the trash out for him. Hill was suspended from the football team while Winston was skating on academic thin ice.

“Welcome to the Sigma Epsilon Xi mixer!” Bell said, forcing Jackson back into the present.

The warm round of applause filled his little mate with excitement and a bit of something else. Maybe acceptance? He couldn’t tell for sure, but he enjoyed seeing her happy, especially after the way she clung to him when he arrived.