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“Just a couple of quick announcements since the system went on the fritz. First, if you’d like to pledge with either Sigma Epsilon Xi or Xi Beta Xi, we have applications inside by the sliding glass door. Also, some knucklehead has spiked the punch, so drink responsibly. If you need help getting home or a place to stay for the night, our house is your house. Enjoy the party!”

The music came on, and the party was in full swing once more. Crisis averted. Somewhat. “I can have one of my guys go get some food.” Hell, he’d shift and become a dragon if it meant keeping her happy.

“No, it’s okay. Rocky is already on it. Zoe called in a favor. If I try to control all of this, I’ll be too distracted.” She smoothed out the front of her skirt, a nervous habit he’d noticed the first time he met her.

“You’re perfect, blondie.” Jackson dipped his head and kissed her lips. “Smell even better. Like ripe strawberries on a warm summer day. Bet you’re juicy like one, too.” He kissed her again, wrapping her in his embrace. “What do you think if we blow this party and start one of our own?”

She sucked in a breath. The spice of her arousal grew thick. “Jackson. You’re a naughty dragon.”

“Yes, I am. I’ll wait for forever and a day to show you, too.” He kissed her again, nipping at her bottom lip. “Don’t let these stupid little harpies try to ruin your night.”

She relaxed into his arms, and he fell harder for her. For him, a mate meant something more than just a binding of their souls. It’s a simple truth down to the molecular level. Dragons don’t always find a mate. They procreated, and, over the last few centuries, they’d stopped doing that. He and those of his ilk of dragons would be the last.

Or so he’d quietly thought since his parents shipped him off to America under the cover of night. Knowing his mother and father had been desperate to keep him safe from his family shook him. Elgor had kept Jackson—Varujan—abreast of all the happenings back in Romania as well. For now, he couldn’t return, which meant starting his life in an unfamiliar land. However, he wished his mother and father could’ve met Bell—Christoph to boot, even if the big asshole wouldn’t admit just how close they really were, even after they’d kissed.

“I won’t. Let’s party. I’ve already invited a few pledges to come stay at the house.” She grinned, and damn if it didn’t hit him right in the solar plexus.

“You’re killing me here, blondie. I’m trying to be good, but with your smile and your happiness, all I want to do is sneak you off to a broom closet and have my wicked way with you.”

The scenery switched to an ultraviolet hue, showing to him his eyes had changed to those of his dragon. He knew the irises of his eyes danced in brilliant shades of orange and red, with hints of yellow and flakes of blue. There’d been one time when he’d gone flying and stopped to get a drink when he’d seen his unique eyes. He didn’t know how long he stared at his reflection just to watch the way the fire flickered in his gaze.

“Your eyes.” She cupped his face. The wonder in her voice did little to keep the tethers holding his sanity together secure. “They’re beautiful, Jackson. Tell me you’ll let me see this part of you more often.”

“For you, blondie, I’d give you every star in the universe just to see you happy.” Jackson kissed her fingertips. “For now, give your lumbering lion a little sugar, too. He appears a little jealous.” He lifted his chin in Christoph’s direction where he watched them with hunger burning bright in his eyes.

“Gag me with a spoon.” Laney pushed between them and stormed to where Christoph stood with Bodhi. “What happened to stopping by my party, Christoph?”

Oh, for fuck's sakes, just what they didn’t need. A jealous bitch.

3

Christoph witnessedthe interaction between Bell and Jackson play out in front of him, and all he could think about was Bodhi hurrying the hell up so he could get over to where his mates stood. His dick was in a bind. The night of the gala he asked Jackson if he could spend the night with Bell first, because he had a shitload to atone for, still did. Yet, somehow, they ended up all together, in the king-sized bed, wrapped in each other’s arms. However, when Bell came undone, shit, it’d been amazing. Her soft mewling as she climbed higher and higher until she climaxed aroused him to the point of pain. He wanted to witness it again, but he also promised Jackson he’d have his turn with Bell, too. Christoph watched them, growing more excited by the moment. They were perfect together. There wasn’t anywhere else he wanted to be.

Unfortunately, when he spotted Laney pushing her way through the crowd, heading right for him, he realized it wouldn’t be happening soon. Laney was like a cat in heat, pushing her pussy in any guy’s face just to get fucked. He’d been stupid when he agreed to anything with her. Laney put some shadows in Bell’s eyes, and he hated the woman. He didn’t have the patience or the time to deal with her bullshit.

Also didn’t help his situation any when she loudly announced his invitation to her party. Bell stiffened, stopping mid-stride. Hurt filtered through her features, and her normally sweet scent soured. Jackson cradled her in his arms, which set his lion off. Big fucking time. He knew even though the guy was trying to protect her; he was also sending an obvious message. If Christoph didn’t want them, Jackson would give Bell everything.

That wouldn’t do. Bell was his—theirs, which meant Jackson was just as much his as Christoph belonged to Jackson. To some it might not make sense, but to him, it worked, and he didn’t care what others thought.

“I’m talking to you, Christoph.” Laney’s voice dripped with disgust.

He had to deal with her; otherwise, like a mosquito, she’d continue to buzz around him until she got the blood she craved. Pulling his gaze away from his mates, he finally looked at the woman who drove him bat-shit crazy with her constant nagging. He’d been a means to an end for her. A status symbol. Bagging the Alpha would be a huge win for her, especially since Laney had a wild hair up her ass regarding all the Dreyer’s and anyone that associated with them.

Regrettably or, he guessed, fortuitously for Laney, she had overheard a phone conversation between him and his father several months ago regarding what happened to him before he left home. Little did she know, there was more to what his father wanted of him. His father had grand plans for Christoph to mate a woman of standing. Of course, it didn’t matter to his if the other woman wasn’t his mate, or the fact the mating scent would be missing, because Christoph already found his, wouldn’t matter either. True mate or mates were irrelevant to his parents. Mating the other woman would help the Pride, not supply Christoph with love, which his father didn’t give a fuck about.

So, Laney used whatever knowledge she’d gathered, after that day, against him every chance she got. She started her shit with him during the games, forcing him to attend the ball on her arm. She’d forced him to go to her stupid party, which he’d hoped to avoid, though he obviously wouldn’t be so lucky. In the interim after the initial night he spent with Bell, Jackson stepped from the shadows and claim what rightfully belonged to him—Bell. Anger helped propel him into action, and at that moment, standing in Bell’s backyard, with Laney staring at him with a stupid expression on her face, he allowed his arousal and anger to consume him. He grabbed Bell and kissed her, sealing his claim.

Fuck, she was so fragile. He worried he’d break her. Christoph palmed Bell’s ass, pulling her toward him as he devoured her. If she knew nothing else about him yet, it was that he wouldn’t give up on her, no matter what. He only hoped she felt the same way.

“You didn’t ask,” he snapped, glancing up at her from where he sheltered Bell against his body. He wanted to roar at her and tell her to go fuck herself. But he needed to bide his time. He’d deal with telling his parents the truth first, then Laney. “You demanded. I don’t do well with demands.”

“But—”

“But nothing.” Jackson approached them. “You heard him. He never said he’d go. Why are you here?”

“Clearly, I came to find Christoph.” She huffed.

“Clearly, he doesn’t want to attend your stupid-ass party. You should leave.” Jackson snarled, his eyes turning an eerie color.