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Surprise washed over Christoph when Jackson confronted her. Never had anyone ever backed or stood up for him. As an Alpha, he handled his own shit. Even the shit with his dad.

“I never!” Laney screeched.

“That’s not what I heard. I heard you took on the entire football team in less than forty-eight hours,” Zoe snapped. “In my book, we call that being a slut.”

“Are you going to allow them to speak to me like this, Christoph?” Laney stomped her foot and crossed her arms.

“He’s not allowing anything. We’re doing it.” Jackson took a predatory step toward her. “You’ve already been asked to leave once. I won’t ask a second time.”

“The way out is that way.” Zoe pointed to the gate. “If you need help, I’ll gladly show your skanky ass out.”

“Don’t you touch me!” Laney screamed.

“I didn’t touch you. Yet.” Zoe cracked her knuckles.

“You should go.” Christoph stiffened when Bell turned in his arms—only letting out the breath he’d been holding when she situated herself between Jackson and him. She placed her hand in his and the other in Jackson’s, soothing Christoph’s tattered soul.

“I’ll go. Because this party blows, and we all know everyone is waiting for me at mine. But.” Laney looked at Christoph expectantly, like he’d walk away from his mates to be with her—ha. “I’ll see you soon.”

“Don’t hold your breath, princess,” Zoe mumbled while Laney flounced off toward the gate.

“I’m not sure,” Jackson addressed him when the vapid girls left, “if you’re just stupid or naïve with her.”

He’d have to tell them what happened with Laney at some point, but, in doing so, he’d have to tell them everything about his father’s plans. Which also meant telling both Jackson and Bell about the day his father threw him into the lions’ den. He’d been fucked six ways to Sunday along with the other things he’d done in that room with those female lionesses. A shudder worked through him. If he told them the truth, it would destroy Bell. Worse, if she somehow found out his father had every intention of having him mate with someone other than her, from someone other than him—someonenamely Laney—before he could explain the situation properly, he feared he’d go feral.

“Neither.” He’d have to tell them sooner than he wanted to and hope they understood why he kept the truth to himself.

Jackson wrapped his arms around Bell, who had yet to look directly at him. “You need to deal with her. The more you allow her to push you around or bully our mate, the worse it’s going to get for Bell.”

“I’m aware.” By allowing Laney to say and do what she did, he appeared weak. Laney had a hard-on for Bell. Hurting their tiny mate gave Laney immense pleasure, and he’d do anything to prevent her from getting hurt.

“Doesn’t seem like it from here.” Jackson challenged him. Pushed him to the edge, and Christoph knew why. Jackson wasn’t just Christoph’s mate because of Bell. No, there was something between them as well. He couldn’t quite understand his feelings yet, but he knew eventually they’d have to each acknowledge each other and go from there.

“Stop.” Bell’s gaze finally found his, confusion swirling in those blue depths. “Now’s not the time. Laney is gone, the music is playing, and the pledges seem to enjoy themselves. I want to have fun, too. With both of you, please. I need this more than anything.”

“Bell.” He cupped her cheek tenderly, hoping she’d believe him when he spoke next. “I never told her I’d go to her party. Tell me you believe me.”

“I believe you. But I’m leery. In the past, you’ve gone to her over me...us.” She shook her head. “I want or need some kind of reassurance you won’t continue to choose her anymore, Christoph.”

She deserved them. He tugged her back into his arms. Marking her seemed to be a simple answer to fixing their situation, but taking the choice of when or how away from Bell didn’t seem fair. He leaned in close to her, so he could murmur into her ear. “Would you accept my bite if I gave it freely tonight? Would you all me to claim you in front of everyone?”

Bell gasped. “Christoph. You’re joking.”

He stared back at her, holding her gaze so she could see just how deadly serious he was. “I’ll do it, Bell.” He kissed the spot right below her ear. “I’ll put my claim on you. Fuck what everyone else says. You’re mine. Jackson is mine.”

“I trust you,” she whispered.

He lifted his chin in Jackson’s direction. “You want in on this?” When Jackson stepped closer, he nuzzled Bell’s neck. “I can’t wait to bite you and feel your pussy clench around my dick.” He scored her neck with his long, sharp canine, scoring her skin, leaving his mark until she gave him permission to bite her. “And I promised you both it wouldn’t happen again.”

“Your word is your bond,” Jackson added.

“My word is my bond,” Christoph agreed. “Bell is mine, as are you.” Without a second thought to those around them, he went to Jackson and repeated the same move he’d made on Bell, marking Jackson in the same fashion. The erotic grunt, followed by the vicious snarl of Jackson’s, turned Christoph inside out. “Never doubt me. I will explain everything when I can. Until then, please know we are fated to be, no matter what you might see or hear. I am yours.”

“Fuck,” Jackson whispered, retreating a step. “All I’m going to be thinking about the rest of the night is getting yours and Bell’s mouths back on me and the fun we can have together.”

“Good, because I’m not going anywhere.” Christoph gathered Bell into his arms, pressing her between him and Jackson. “How about we have a little fun.”

The next morning, Christoph didn’t want to leave his mates. They still hadn’t marked Bell, but they were taking their time. They would do it when the time was right, and not before then. He slid the blankets off of him and eased out of bed so not to wake either Bell or Jackson. He had a few things he needed to take care of, namely dealing with Laney and Reagan. Both girls were causing major issues for Bell and him. Their knowledge of Christoph’s past would eventually come out and, when it did, it would destroy everything he’d carefully constructed about himself. Worse, he knew when Bell heard about the situation, she’d more than likely disavow him as her mate, tearing away a piece of his soul.