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Jackson chuckled. “Sometimes, the human world can also mess with your Pride mentality. Things are simple for us. We understand boundaries.”

Well, some did. Laney, on the other hand, not so much.

“You have a reason to mistrust. In a short amount of time, everything has changed. It’s a learning experience for all three of us, but we’ve got a hell of a long time to figure it out,” Christoph added.

“Forever and ever.” Jackson reached over her and pulled Christoph to a stop.

When their mouths met, their deep moans turned her insides to mush. Every inch of her tingled to life, and she wished they didn’t have to go home and speak with her dad. Her priority lay with her mates, and making sure they were taken care of. Unfortunately, she couldn’t shirk her duties, either, nor could Christoph let Aislinn down.

“I hate to break you two apart, but Christoph’s pants are vibrating. Bet it’s my dad,” she teased.

Christoph reached for his phone the second Jackson broke the kiss off. “She’s right. Better not piss him off any more than he’s going to be.” He scanned his phone, sent a message, then deposited it in his pocket. “We should calm ourselves.”

“Sure.” Jackson winced, adjusting himself. “I’m completely calm.”

“I’ll explain it as boys being boys,” she joked, giving them a playful wink.

“It won’t make a damn bit of difference to him, kitten. He’ll still smell it.” He leaned down and nuzzled her neck. “I’m okay with it, Bell. The whole package and what it means. So, stop worrying.”

“Are you a mind reader?” She batted her eyes.

“Nope. Your facial expressions give you away every time.” He chuckled.

“I must work on perfecting my neutral expressions, then.” She sniffed.

“Please don’t. It’s part of your charm,” Jackson stated. “Let’s go before your dad sends his whole crew here to bring you home.”

9

Bell walkedthrough the door of her house after a long night with her mates and glanced around the living room. Joy sat on the couch while Shelly paced by the stairs. The girl nibbled on her thumbnail while pivoting and continuing the current path she’d been on. Her hair had been unkempt, and her clothes were messy. Some of it, yes, was her, but there’d been more. She crossed to her, almost forgetting Christoph and Jackson followed.

“Shelly?”

The girl glanced up. “Oh hey, you’re home… With your mates.”

“What’s going on?”

The unicorn’s gaze jumped between them, then drifted up the stairs. “Well....”

White canvas shoes appeared at the top of the stairs, drawing Bell’s attention from Shelly. “Finally. We have a problem.” Hayden, with Nico hot on Raquel’s heels, appeared a few seconds later, while Raquel continued to the landing. “We need to talk.”

A knot formed in the pit of Bell’s stomach.Talk?She hadn’t even been gone for very long. Thankfully, once she spoke to her father, her schedule was light with classes. “Sure.”

“I’ll make coffee.” Christoph kissed her forehead.

“I’ll be on the lookout for your dad.” Jackson placed a kiss on the exact spot Christoph pressed his lips.

“Nice tattoos,” Hayden remarked. “When did you get them?”

His chest puffed out. “When we mated.”

She grinned and shoved Bell’s shoulder. “Good for you.” She drew her over to the couch where Raquel sat, tapping away on her computer. “We got mail from the school late yesterday.”

The knot tightened. “All right.”

“It’s a notice about our pledge situation. We have to meet with Dean Ames by the end of the week. Either we have them, or we have to vacate the property and lose the charter.” Hayden pulled the letter out of her pocket and handed it to Bell.

She opened it and read what Dean Ames had to say. Yes, they were behind by more than a few pledges, but they had time. Or, well, they did until the letter arrived. “I have a solution. But, it would mean changing who we are.” Frankly, she didn’t think she’d been cut out for this crap.