Chapter 20

I opened my eyes to Ryker, Drake, and Ezra all standing over me.

“I’m sorry,” is all I could say as I took in their expressions. Drake and Ryker both look pissed, while Ezra looks more concerned.

“What happened? You were fine when we left you. That was only a couple of hours ago,” Ryker said as he helped me sit up.

“I went to a party with Jacie.”

“Damn it, Bella! You clearly can’t drink,” Ryker yelled.

“I only had one beer. It wasn’t the alcohol that made me lose control.” I bit my bottom lip as I took a deep breath.

“Are you OK?” 

I looked behind the boys to see who else was there. 

“Dawson, how long have you been here?”

“Long enough,” he looked at me like I had a third eye.

I turned my head and looked up at the boy’s. Drake’s eyes are flickering. He’s so upset, he’s fighting his wolf for control.

I looked back at Dawson, “I can explain.”

“I’d like to hear that explanation too.” Great, someone else is walking up behind Dawson. I closed my eyes for a minute. Shit, please don’t tell me.

I bit my lower lip as he came into view. Yep, it’s the wolf.

“Who the fuck are you,” Ryker yelled.

I can hear someone running through the forest, but I can’t see who it is.

“The name is Rowen.” He looked down at me, “What are you?”

“What are you doing here, Rowen? This doesn’t concern you,” Ryker said as he stared him down.

Rowen cocked his head and looked down at me. I sucked in a deep breath and reached for Ezra’s hand to help me up. 

Once I got my footing, I turned to face the boys. “He’s my third mate.”

“What the hell do you mean he’s your third fated mate! Answer me Arabella.”

I looked around at everyone before answering Ryker. I can feel his piercing green eyes on me. I know he’s here somewhere.

I finally saw him walking up behind Drake. His eyes are flickering just like Drakes. This is bad.

He continued walking right past the boys with his eyes focused on Dawson and Rowen. 

He punched Dawson in the face, “What the hell did you do to her?” He brought his fist back again. 

“CREED STOP!” I yelled. “He didn’t do anything to me.”

He hit him again, and I saw blood flowing from Dawson’s mouth.

“CREED!” I yelled again, as I jumped up in front of him, so he could see me. He stared at me for a minute with his fist drawn, but he didn’t swing.

“I’m fine Creed.” I stared in his eyes to challenge him. They are still flickering. I don’t know if I’m talking to him or his dragon.

“Get off him, he didn’t do anything to me.”

Creed looked between me and Dawson a couple of times. I can tell the decision is hard for him, but he slowly nodded.

“Your lucky she’s here.” Creed let go of Dawson’s shirt and lowered his fist before standing up.

I let out a deep breath, and Creed backed away. He started pacing behind the boys. He’s doing a horrible job at trying to calm himself down.

I looked over at Dawson and Rowen. Dawson is dabbing the blood off his lip and looks confused.

Rowen looks completely dumbfounded. I haven’t even introduced myself to him. I can only imagine what he is thinking. 

I ran my hands down my face. I’m not even sure where to begin, or what to say.

I looked back at the boys. I need to get this over with, and I can’t think straight when I look at my mates. I don’t want to hurt any of them. 

“I went to a party with Jacie, and Dawson was there. I started dancing with him, and the next thing I knew, Rowen pushed me away from him. The double mate bond hit me, and I lost it.”

Creed stood behind Jacie, but I didn't dare to turn my head. I can feel him staring at me and I don’t want to see his expression.

Ryker and Drake both looked up at Dawson and Rowen, who were standing there speechless.

“I’m only going to tell you this one time,” Drake said as he started walking up to them. “You’re both going to walk away from here, and keep your mouths shut. You didn’t see anything, and you didn’t hear anything. Bella is a werewolf and nothing more. Do I make myself clear?”

They both just stared at Drake. I watched and waited to see what they were going to do. I know Drake is not one to mess with when he goes in Alpha protective mode.

“Look around you. If you even think about hurting one hair on her head, we’re all coming after you, and you won’t walk away.”

“Look man, I was just dancing with my mate. I don’t want any problems. I’ll keep my mouth shut, but you can’t keep me from my mate.”

“Or me,” Rowen piped in.

“That’s Bella’s choice, and only her choice. That goes for you to Creed,” Ryker yelled.

“None of you will force her to do anything she doesn’t want to do, and no one is to disclose her magic to anyone. What you saw here, stays here. If my sister gets hurt during one of your pissing matches, we won’t hesitate to destroy you.”

“Once again, are we clear?” Drake asked, as he looked around at all three of them.

Dawson and Rowen both nodded this time.

“Good. I’m taking the girls home,” Ezra said as he wrapped his arm around Jacie.

“Shouldn’t it be my mate’s choice who she goes home with,” Rowen had the nerve to say.

Creed spun his head around, and started walking toward Rowen.

“Creed NO! This is all too much right now. Dawson and Rowen go home. We can all figure this out later.

“Creed, you need to calm down.”

“I can’t calm down,” He glared at me.

I linked all three boys, “Take Jacie home. I need to calm down a psycho.”

“Are you sure you’re safe?” Ryker linked back.

“Yah, he wont hurt me. Did you see how he reacted? He stopped and regained control in the middle of a fight, just from looking at me. How many pissed-off shifters can do that?”

“OK, but I don’t trust any of them right now.”

“I know. I’ll be careful, and I’ll link you guys if I need you. I promise.”

“Be careful, Bella,” Drake added.

“I will, and once again I’m sorry. Thank you for being here. If I haven’t told you yet. I’m so glad dad sent you to babysit me.”

“Ezra laughed, We’re a pack. We’ll always be here for you, but right now I have a sneaky witch to deal with.”

I laughed, “Behave Ezra. I’ll talk to you guys tomorrow.”

The guys and Jacie left, and me and Creed were left alone. He stood still just looking out at the water. I sat down on the ground and waited for him to say something.

He continued looking at the water, “I’m not sorry for losing control. He had it coming.”

“What did he do?”

“He shouldn’t have even been with you tonight.” He finally turned around to face me.

“What did he do wrong?” I asked him again, but he just stared at me. “Your mad because Dawson was dancing with his mate. If you’re going to be mad at anyone, you should be mad at me.”

Creed shook his head, “Why were you even at that party?”

“I just wanted to relax and have some fun after all the stress lately. I didn’t mean for anything to happen.”

“I don’t want you out of my sight. Do you have any idea what seeing you like that does to me? Then add on the fact that it was caused by your other two mates. I want to kill them.”

“I know it’s hard, but you’re putting me in an impossible spot. I can feel the mate bond with all three of you. I don’t want to hurt you. I’ve been fighting the bond with Dawson by staying away, but tonight I gave in. I danced with him, and I enjoyed it.”